Lillyella Harland-Fairweather in First Place!
Phew! We did it. We finally reached Cranleigh Amateur Swimming Club’s month-long summer break!
I say, “we” but really the achievement and the hard work belongs to the swimmers and coaches. For 11 months of the year, our swimmers have turned up, week in week out, putting in hours of training. Add to that the many competitions and galas and it has been a full-on year.
We rounded off the season with outstanding achievements from two of our swimmers performing at the top end of the club.
Firstly, Sophie Moore, represented the club at the National Championships in Sheffield. Swimming the 200m Breaststroke, Sophie negotiated a tricky heat to qualify for the evening finals. In the final, Sophie achieve a personal best and club record time of 2:47.87, placing 9th.
Next up, Lillyella Harland-Fairweather, represented the Pentathlon GB team in the European Biathle Championships in Madeira in July. Lillyella, who trains at Millfield school during term-time and with the club during school holidays, won the U18 mixed relay title, providing further evidence of the strength of our club.
These individual achievements are typical of the wider success so far this year. Since the new window for the 2020 County Championship opened in February, 18 of our swimmers have achieved 49 qualifying times. Add to that the 84 club records that have been broken this season, our representation at Regional and National Championships and we are happy that the club is doing very well for it’s size. It is also moving in the right direction.
None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our team of coaches. The commitment to prepare and lead every session, to plan and assess every competitive swim has been formidable, and it is all to help our swimmers to be the best they can.
Neither should we forget our team of volunteers who do the various bits and bobs behind the scenes, making sure that the club runs smoothly. Of course, us parents have played a role too, albeit a much smaller and more logistical one, making sure our swimmers are in the right place at the right time, supporting and enabling their activities.
So, whatever the involvement with the club, I think it is fair to say everyone has earned the rest. The month of August is a time for the swimmers to allow their bodies an extended period of recovery, and for coaches to take a break – a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of a busy autumn of competitive swimming. It is also the summer holidays: a chance to be with family without the sacrifices made for swimming. Perhaps, even the weather will cooperate! 
If you are interested in joining Cranleigh ASC, do come down and see us on a Sunday evening at Cranleigh Leisure Centre from 4.30pm onwards or visit our website www.cranleighsc.org.
We offer two free taster trial sessions, for children to see if they’d enjoy it.
