A select team of Camana Bay Aquatic Club swimmers went to South Florida earlier this month to train with the South Florida Aquatic Club Comets swim team and compete in the Coral Springs Open Invitational Meet.
The meet was over 3-5 February. SOFL is a year-round competitive swim team and a member of USA Swimming, the Olympic development programme for competitive swimming. With more than 450 members and a host of world-class facilities, including two 50-metre Olympic-size pools and three 25-metre and 25-yard pools, this was a unique opportunity for 13 Camana Bay swimmers to train with one of the leading competitive aquatic programmes in the United States.
“An opportunity like this not only allows our swimmers to meet other competitive swimmers of similar ages and make new friendships, but it also gives them invaluable training time in a 50m pool,” said Head Coach Katie Lambert.
The weekend saw all swimmers make significant improvements, such as Eddie Weber, 11, who swam six personal best times. Lambert said: “Eddie has been training very hard and is working towards trying to make the 2012 CARIFTA team. This was a big step for him and he is that much closer to reaching his goals.”
Another event highlight saw one of Camana Bay’s youngest Novice A swimmers, Emily Link, nine, take an average of six seconds off her personal best times. Both Skyler O’Connor, 10, and Isabella Tognazzo, 13, set personal bests in the 50m freestyle. Skyler knocked four seconds off her time, finishing in 39.04 seconds.
Coach Katie was pleased with her swimmers’ quick adjustment to racing in a long course pool. “I am very proud of all our swimmers. The Coral Springs meet was a great example of the success of CBAC’s swim programme and the advantages of attending international meets. This was also a chance for CBAC to make contacts on the international swim scene and hopefully bring more swimmers to the Cayman Islands.”
The club is now focused on training for their first open water swim series, which began on Saturday. Taking place over six weeks, the three-part series is open to the public and is a great way for everyone in the local community to learn a vital life skill, enjoy a great workout, get wet and have fun.
“Being involved with a swim team teaches swimmers the values of teamwork and individual goal setting,” said coach Katie, “And you’re learning a life skill. Swimming is a sport for people of all ages, and we hope that swimmers fall in love with it and swim for life.”
Based at the Camana Bay Sports Complex, the club is one of two swim clubs on island; Stingray Swim Club is based at the Lions Aquatic Centre. The CARIFTA Swimming Championships are in Cable Beach Nassau, Bahamas from 12-15 April. The Cayman Islands team for this Olympic-qualifying meet will be selected and announced on 5 March.
For more information about CBAC or the Open Water Series contact Coach Katie Lambert at [email protected]
For more information about CBAC or the Open Water Series contact Coach Katie Lambert at [email protected]
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