Otters News

Bag Pack (24/12/05)

The princely sum of £738.20, yes that really is -

£738.20

was raised during the bag-pack at the Co-Op on Christmas Eve. 

Thank you so much to Joyce for organising again and to all our willing volunteers!

Fun Xmas Gala (18/12/05)

The Annual Xmas Fun Gala was a rather noisy affair!

The racing was close and so were the points throughout the entire evening.  Allegations of outrageous cheating were made about all teams but these were generally unfounded in that the cheating was fairly petty and only one penalty was imposed on the Bogie Blues for dangerous behaviour from one of the oldies - shocking!  The Bogie Blues were however awarded 5 points for the most original name so they didn't cry for long.

Winners of the Duck Race with a ridiculous total of over 300 ducks were the Yellow Sweetcorns.

The eventual winners were the Green Giants comprising Rachel Taylor, John Jessiman, Callum Duff, Calum Shanks, Freddie Starkey, Jennifer Pirie, Nathan McLean, Nathan McCrae, Sophie Stratford, Laura Jack, Nicola Dobson, Philip Mcdonald, Claire Harper and Chris Alderton.  They were ably led by "oldies" Durno Jessiman, Lynne Walster and Dave and Sonia Armitage.

Afterwards in the Scout Hut we were all treated to some excellent nosh organised by Joyce Jack, Margaret Macdonald, Maureen Gill and Pam Anderson.  Thank you also to Andy Bycroft for some excellent mulled wine.

And so ended the 2005 swimming, see you all bright and breezy in 2006.  Don't eat toooooo many mince pies!

Swimmers reps announced (18/12/05)

Swimmers reps have been chosen by the swimmers and they are -

Molly and Nathan will now be able to help the committee to better support the swimmers by representing the swimmer's view.  One of their first jobs will be to help the committee decide on club costumes.

Well done Molly and Nathan!

Distance Awards Night (12/12/05)

On 27 November Otters swimmers swam for distance awards.  Time constraints meant that swimmers aiming for 5000M awards couldn't swim on this occasion, another opportunity will be made available to you soon.

Thanks you to all of the willing helpers, including some of the potential 5000m swimmers for counting lengths and to Graeme and Colin for organising this event so briliiantly.

Well done to all the swimmers for swimming so well and achieving their target distances.

A message from Graeme below -

IM Championships (4/12/05)

On Sunday 4 December Otters travelled to Huntly for our first IM championships.

PBs nearly all round and some great swimming.

Results are here and medal winners are shown below -

Girls

Once again the pool staff congratulated everyone on their behaviour.

Well done everyone!

Upper Deeside Challenge (4/12/05)

On Saturday 26 November Otters travelled to Aboyne for the Upper Deeside Challenge.  Swimmers swim up to two series of up to 4 events (50m, 100m and 200m of a stroke or all 4 strokes over 50m).

Kieran and Chris Alderton managed to better their entry times in all their events and Chris was rewarded by a silver award in the 16+ boys butterfly and Kieran a bronze in the boys 13 and under sprints.

Other awards were won by Jo Milne - silver in the girls 16+ backstroke challenge and Lynn Alderton - silver in the girls 16+ butterfly challenge and bronze in the backstroke.

Meeting Dates (16/11/05)

Next meeting of the Club Championship Committee will be on Monday 9 January 8pm

Next meeting of the Coaches Committee will be on Monday 16 January 8pm

Next meeting of the Management Committee will be on Monday 23 January 8pm

All members are welcome to attend all meetings.

Sponsorship (16/11/05)

Alford Otters was one of the lucky recipients of the money raised by the Alford Bike Run this year.  Chairman - Durno Jessiman picked up a cheque for £1500 from the Bike Run Committee on 9 November.  This money will be used to buy starting blocks for Alford Pool once we have permission to install them from Aberdeenshire Council.

Click on the logo to find out more about the Bike Run and look out for more information in The Piper this week.

The Coaches and Management Committees have agreed that we should hold our first ever Club Championships in March - look out for details soon.  To help us set off on a good footing, Jandel Engineering Ltd have kindly sponsored us to the tune of £500.  This money will be used to purchase shields, medals and cups to recognise and reward our winners and other achievers!

Click on the logo to find out more about Jandel Engineering Ltd.

Peterhead Mini Meet (16/11/05)

On Saturday 5 November a huge team of Alford Otters younger swimmers travelled to Peterhead for their annual mini meet.

IM Championships (8/11/05)

On Sunday 4 December we will be holding IM championships at Huntly from 4 - 6pm.  All swimmers who think they can swim 4 strokes legally are welcome to come - please fill in the form.  Swimming will be available in Alford for those not wishing to attend from 4.30 - 5.30 on that day.

11 and unders will swim 100m IM and 12 and overs 200m.  After the races and presentations we will use any remaining time to obtain other IM times - choose one from 100m, 200m or 400m.

North District Development Meet (8/11/05)

Anna Anderson, Kieran Jack and Andrew Whyte went to Banff on Sunday 30 October.  Competing in a district event is a step up for our swimmers and we are very proud of them.

There was 4 PBs from 5 swims and Andrew swam so well in his 200m breaststroke that he managed a PB over the 100m distance too.

Well done to you all!

School Speed Awards (1/10/05)

On 25 September Otters sprinted for School Speed Awards - great fun!  We will definitely have to do it again.

For the record, times are here

Westhill Minnows (18/09/05)

Mostly PBs (see here), if swimmers didn’t get PBs they were certainly close to them.

A lot of fantastic swims – well done! 

3 of our swimmers got into the Finals: -

Kieran Jack – Butterfly & Freestyle

Kirsty Robb – Backstroke & Butterfly

Rebecca Shanks - Freestyle

and 3 swimmers were 1^st reserve for the finals: Nathan, Anna and Eilidh (who was just 1/100^th of a second to being in the final!)

Medals & Flashes won:

Kieran Jack – Silver (free) & Bronze (fly)

Kirsty Robb – 4^th (back) & 6^th (fly)

Rebecca Shanks – 6^th (free)

Massive times were taken off: Philip took 15 seconds off his backstroke and so many of you took more than 4 seconds off, too many to mention here, and I am more than delighted with those of you who attempted the frontcrawl and backstroke tumble turns.  I know it was the first time for a lot of you.

It was commented by more than one person that you were undoubtedly the loudest cheering team there!

Thank you to Colin and our Officials Lynn and Joyce.

Lynne

School Speed Awards (13/09/05)

Just for fun, on Sunday 25 September we will be having some one length sprints at Alford to assess for ASA School Speed Awards.

Because swimmers might want a rest between the sprints we are going to hold only two sessions that day instead of the usual 3 and each will last about an hour and a half.

All session 1 swimmers and lanes 1 + 2 of session 2 should be ready to swim at 4.30pm and expect to stay until 5.50 or so.

All session 3 swimmers and lanes 3 + 4 of session 2 should be ready to swim at 5.45 and expect to stay until 7.15.

Any questions please contact Lynn.  

Bridge of Don September Splash (13/09/05)

Anna Anderson, Ellie Shields, Kirsty Robb, Chloe Robb, Clare Harper, Kieran Jack, Chris Alderton, Laura Jack and Kieran Alderton swam for Alford Otters at the Bridge of Don September Splash at Bon Accord Baths on 10 September.

Everyone swam personal bests - see here - and medals were won by -

Kieran Alderton - Gold 100 back

Chris Alderton - Silver 100 fly and bronze 100 back

Kieran Jack - Bronze 100 free

Comments from Lynne -

Well done everyone and thanks to Lynne and Chris on poolside.

Look at this! (15/08/05)

For all our swimmers who want to compete we are going to be spending a fair bit of time improving skills and speed on starts and turns this term.

All swimming should start with a streamline -

and all front crawl turns should be tumbles.

To see what you are aiming for click here and then "watch the video" from GoSwim.

Summer Season Silly Gala (02/07/05)

The end of season gala was held on 26 June at Alford Pool.

Great fun was had by all and the eventual winners - the Yellow Submarines (who were not the winners of the most original team name) got the biggest bars of chocolate!

The weather was kind to us and Durno was able to present swimmers with all their awards earned in 2005 at the playing fields by the dry ski slope.  Any swimmer who has not yet received their award should contact Lynn.

Alford Time Trials (02/07/05)

Time trials were held on 21 and 28 June at Alford.  To see your times see here.  PB times now updated in the members zone.

Huntly Time Trials (20/06/05)

Hoards of Alford Otters descended on Huntly Pool on Sunday for new 50m times and 100 IM times.  We all had a great time, learnt a lot about starts from a block and times can be found here.

Elgin Mini Meet (20/06/05)

On 18 June 2005, 18 Otters travelled to Buckie for the Elgin Mini Meet.

No medfals for Otters swimmers this time but every single swimwas a personal best and we were definitely the best supporting team with great cheering shouting and singing.

The following report from Lynne (coach on poolside for the meet with Colin).

WELL DONE!  All pbs, a lot of fantastic swims. 

From the times swum at our time trials in March the swimmer with the most time taken off was:

• GraemeGill with 19secs for his backstroke followed closely by: Rebekah Shanks with 17secs for backstroke and Molly Stratford with 16sec for her backstroke.

• For the 25m swims Jennifer Pirie took 9secs off her breaststroke and Harris Will also took 9 secs off in his backstroke.

As this was the first away meet most of you had attended run under SASA rules you did extremely well.

YOU ARE ALL STARS!

Lynne Walster

Coach on poolside

Times are here

 Swimming Technical Officials (14/06/05)

Swimming technical officials are essential to the running of all swimming competitions.

Congratulations to Lynn and Lynne, who have recently learned that they have passed their starter and judge exams respectively.

Look out on the board soon for details of a Club Timekeeper's course.  This is the first step!

Alford Bike Run (21/05/05)

We have recently learned that Otters will be one of the recipients of monies raised by the Karen Teale Memorial Bike Run 2005 (the third riding of the Alford Charity Bike Run).

To find out more about the Bike Run visit the website 

Taking part in the Bike Run is a fun way for Otters swimmers to contribute not only to our funds but also to the other beneficiaries - The Anchor Unit, Scout Hut Restoration Fund, Day Care Centre and Alford Car Transport Service.

Keep 3 September 2005 free in your diary and we look forward to seeing Otters and their parents taking part in this worthwhile event.

Ythan Annual Gala (21/05/05)

A small team comprising Kieran Jack, Anna Anderson, Kirsty Robb, Claire Harper, Kieran Alderton, Laura Jack, Christopher Alderton and Hugh Walton travelled to Ellon for the Annual Ythan Gala.

20 PBs from 22 swims!  Laura took 13 seconds off her 100IM time, Hugh Walton swam 12 seconds faster than his entry time in the 100 breaststroke and Kieran Jack beat his previous best for 100m freestyle by 10 seconds.

Kieran Alderton won 2 medals - silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Well done to all Otters swimmers in our first gala swimming as a club - fantastic!

Results here, PB lists updated in members section.

Schools Gala (15/05/05)

Alford Primary School entered the Garioch ASC Annual Schools Gala in Inverurie on Saturday 14 May.  Spirits were high having won the competition for the first time ever in 2004.

There were 14 Otters swimming, some in their first ever competition.  It was a really exciting night and there was little doubt that Alford had the loudest cheers and the best supporting parents.

Winners for Alford on the night were both Otters swimmers.  Well done to Anna Anderson and Rebekah Shanks for winning their P6 races.

Alford Primary School also won the overall competition to retain the trophy.

Kellands School from Inverurie came a close second and other schools participating included Strathburn, Kemnay, Daviot, Keithhall, Oyne cluster and Meldrum.

Club Kit (14/04/05)

Alford Otters hats have just arrived.  If you would like one please ask on Sunday.  Cost £3.50 each.

Tuesday Training (06/04/05)

Tuesday training starts on 12 April.  An amazing 34 swimmers have asked for extra training and sessions and lanes can be found in the members section of the Members Zone.

Some Otters swimmers meet at other times during the week during public sessions, if you would like to know more or would be interested in more Otters sessions please contact Lynn.

Sunday training resumes 17 April - same times and sessions unless you have been notified individually.

Committee Meeting (06/04/05)

The next Management Committee Meeting will be in the Vale Hotel at 8pm on Monday 11 April.  All welcome.

Fund Raising (27/03/05)

Bag packing in the Co-op in Alford raised a fabulous £271 to boost club funds.

Thank you to Joyce for organising yet again and to Louise Harper, Rose Shanks and Eleanor Anderson and all the Otters swimmers who packed on the day.

Personal Bests Updated (20/03/05)

Personal best times have been updated on the PB page in the Members Zone to show times from Huntly.

Timings at Huntly (20/03/05)

Alford Otters descended on Huntly Swimming Pool on Sunday for our first ever set of timings in a 25m pool.

For many younger Otters this was their first ever experience of starting blocks and every single swimmer gave it a go.

Everyone who attended was offered the opportunity to swim all 4 strokes over 25m or 50m according to age.  For those swimmers who want to, the times obtained will be used to enter competitions later in the year. 

Times can be found in the members zone results section.  Some of you may notice that not all of your swims have been given times.  This may be because of a problem with your stroke, your start or your turn.  All the coaches have been given details of the problems and we will all be working very hard to fix them for you.

These timings could not have taken place without the willing help of Joyce the chief timekeeper, Lynne, Chris, and Jenni the judges and 12 timekeepers.  Colin, Steve and Graeme did a stirling job of keeping the swimmers right (!?) and thank you to Anne for starting everyone off!

The pool staff wanted to pass on their thanks for the excellent behaviour of our swimmers and would welcome us back anytime apparently!

I would like to thank each and every one of you who came in whatever capacity.  I hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and thought it was worthwhile.  We are a new Club, and we have a huge amount to learn but if we work together as a team like we did at Huntly the only way is up!

Well done everyone!!!

Lynn

Timings at Huntly

In order to obtain 25m and 50m times for our swimmers, we will be hiring the pool at Huntly from 4pm - 6pm on Sunday 20 March.  This opportunity is available to all Otters swimmers although it is aimed at those swimmers who may wish to compete once we join the SASA in April.

Time permitting, swimmers who were born after 18 June 1995 will be swimming 1 length of each stroke and swimmers born on or before 18 June 1995 will be swimming 2 lengths (50m) of each stroke.  Children born after 18 June 1994 will be swimming only 1 length of butterfly.

If you DON'T want to swim in these time trials at Huntly you don't have to, there will be a normal Otters swimming session at Alford for ALL those swimmers who do not wish to travel from 4.30 - 5.30pm. 

All swimmers from sessions 1, 2 and 3 can attend Alford between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Sunday 20 March OR they can attend time trials at Huntly from 4pm - 6pm that day.  There will be no usual sessions on this day. 

Please let your coach know what you are going to do on 20 March on Sunday 5 March.

Parents we please try and arrange a lift for your child for this session if you are not able to travel and you would like them to attend the time trials.  We will need plenty of helpers to keep time and help the children at Huntly so if you can possibly help please come.  EVERYONE WELCOME!

Distance Awards

Distance Awards were completed by most Otters on Sunday 27 February.  A grand total of 47 1/2 miles were swum by the 59 swimmers who took part.

To find out who will receive which award click here.  Presentation details to follow after the swimmers swimming 5000m have completed their awards.

Congratulations to EVERYONE who took part!

Distance Awards

Distance Awards for nearly all Otters are on 27 February.  Because everyone is swimming different distances and to accommodate some of the longer distances swimmers may need to come earlier or later than their usual session times.

Check here to find out what time you should be coming to the pool.

Fund Raiser

Joyce Jack has booked us a bag-pack from 10 - 4 at the Co-op on Friday 25 March 2005.

This is the first day of the Easter holidays and it is Good Friday.

If you can spare an hour or two (the plan is for slots of 2 hours 10 - 12, 12 - 2 and 2 - 4 but this can be varied) to help raise funds for Otters then please contact Joyce as soon as possible. 

All offers of help welcome - adults and swimmers needed.

Personal Bests reorganised

New files have been created for your personal bests so that you can now see the date of the swim.

Ranking files are still available.

Click on the links in the PBs page of the Members Zone.

Swimathon

Otters swimmers will be taking part in this years Swimathon.  There are no Swimathon sessions at Alford so we will be travelling further afield - perhaps Portlethen.

Swimathon is a fund-raising event taking place from 19 - 27 March where individuals or teams swim 5000m.  For details from the ASA website see here.

If you are interested in taking part as an individual or as part of a team, please contact Steve for further details.

Draft Constitution

As a part of joining the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association we have to adopt a new constitution which follows the SASA model.

The constitution that the Management Committee is recommending Otters adopts can be found in the Members Zone.  Please read it!  There is a copy on the notice-board and you should each be receiving a copy by email shortly.

Once we have adopted a suitable constitution we can affiliate to North District and become SASA members in time for the start of the membership year (1 April).

Training Updates

There will be timings on 30 January 2005.  Come to your usual session and bring an extra towel - you will need one to keep you dry and warm on poolside and one to get dry at the end.

Distance awards will be on 27 February.  Unless you are told otherwise, come to your usual session.

For more information about up and coming events see minutes section in Members Zone.

Otters has a new logo

Otters has a new logo designed by Nicky Walster.

Nicky was asked to produce a design that would lend itself to a one colour printed or stitched motif for hats and bags as well as to give Otters a more professional look.

The committee are delighted with her design and we hope that everyone agrees with us that Nicky has done a great job for us.

Click on the logo below to see a bigger image.

Thanks Nicky!

Happy New Year

The Committee and Coaching Team would like to wish all Otters swimmers and their families a very Happy New Year!