Giant haul for Otter at Crawley

A team of eager Otters travelled down to the K2 pool in Crawley at the weekend for their first competitive outing of 2016. It was the first opportunity for the team to test their long course racing prowess after the Christmas break. The long course season has taken on more significance this year as the European Masters Championships take place at the London Aquatic Centre (which famously hosted the Swimming competition at London 2012 Olympic Games) with Masters swimmers from all over the UK and Europe looking for race practice ahead of the big event at the end of May.

The select team from Otter consisted of Craig Gillespie, Wade Rimbach, Enrico Hahn, Ben Thomas, Christophe Amardeilh, Dave Warren, Pete Kirk, Peter Rae, Tony Ray, Paul Goudie, Jessica Thorpe and Youri Schwatz.

It was a very encouraging meet for all those racing especially so early on in the season. Coach Steve was on deck throughout to offer guidance and advice to all those competing. After a fantastic short course nationals at Sheffield last year Craig showed he hadn’t lost any of his speed by posting some very quick times in his Breaststroke swims considering it is still only January. There was a great Otter head-to-head between Wade and Enrico in the 400m IM with Wade just piping Enrico on the last length. Dave Warren again showed his class by claiming his first British Record in the 45-49 year age group in the 200m butterfly, beating the previous mark by a whopping 7 seconds. Congratulations Dave!

With the racing extending all the way into Sunday this gave further opportunity for the Otters to demonstrate their early season form. The highlight of Sunday's racing was Dave Warren comfortably claiming his 2nd GB record of the weekend in the 200 IM. Otter was well represented across the remaining events over the course of the day with Jess Thorpe bringing the weekends racing to a close with gold in the gruelling 800 Free event. Over the weekend the Otter team brought home a giant haul of 50 medals comprised of 30 gold, 14 silver and 6 bronze. 

The competition at Crawley was a sell out with entries filling up in record time, so if you are considering racing this season keep an eye out for emails from your captains and get your entries in early to avoid disappointment!

 

Dave Warren broke two GB records at the meet.

Dave Warren broke two GB records at the meet.

Dave Warren breaks British 200 Fly record

Dave Warren broke his first British Record of 2016 this weekend at the ASA South East Region LC Masters Competition in Crawley. Dave went 2:17 in the 200 fly, smashing the old 45-49 record by 7 seconds. Keep up the good work BOD. 

Otter in 2nd halfway through Super 5's

Otter returned to BWPL Super 5's this weekend with games vs Caledonia & Manchester. Otter started out slowly in the first quarter vs Caledonia (2-2) on but picked it up in the second quarter jumping out to a (6-3) lead. From there Otter controlled the game outscoring Caledonia 8 goals to 3 to take win 14-6. Mhairi Nurthen opened her Super 5's scoring account, netting four times for Otter in the win. Claudia Ferrone & Holly Campbell both got their hatricks with Hannah Patchett & Lex Higlett rounding out the scoring with 2 goals each. 

Otter scorers vs Caledonia: Mhairi 4, Claudia & Holly 3, Lex 2, Hannah 2.

Mhairi scored 4 for Otter vs Caledonia. There was a 5th but it was disallowed. 

Mhairi scored 4 for Otter vs Caledonia. There was a 5th but it was disallowed. 

There was nothing between the teams in the first quarter and neither team were able to break through to register a score. Manchester were the broke the deadlock 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter, before Otters movement paid off earning them an exclusion which Kathy Rogers converted on the post levelling the score 1 all. Shortly after Otter scored again, this time with a brilliantly executed 4 on 3 counter, scored by Holly Campbell, her 4th counter goal of the weekend. The third quarter was all Otter. Otters press kept Manchester scoreless, while down the other end Claudia finished off a dangerous 3 on 2  counter with a very cheekily placed shot to go 3 -1 before Brooke finished the quarters scoring with a calmly executed lob. It was more of the same at the start of the 4th with Lex breaking on the counter & crossing to Peggy who tapped the ball into the next for a 5-1 lead. The final minute of play saw Manchester claim two consolation goals thanks to an extra man goal & late penalty, but it was too late and Otter took the win 5-3. The win saw Otter jump to 2nd on the table, with 4 games left to play. 

Otter scorers v Manchester: Kathy, Claudia, Holly, Brooke, Peggy.  

For more scores & current standings see the BWPL website. 

Brooke, Otter Vice Captain and #8

Brooke, Otter Vice Captain and #8

Otter will be hoping for more of the same when they return to Super 5 actions next weekend in Liverpool. Where they will take on Manchester again @6:05pm, before playing Caledonia again Saturday @11:30am. 

 

 

The Otter 2016 La Santa Training Camp

Otters, the time has come to put your name down for this year's edition of the Otter La Santa training camp. If you're interested in attending please email Foxcatcher / James / Third  james83rd@gmail.com by 15th February 2015. 

Dates: The 2016 camp will be held Saturday to Saturday, 10-17 September. This should be perfect timing for those competing at nationals in October.

The resort: The abilities of swimmers on the trip in previous years have ranged from Lane 1-2 swimmers through all the lanes. We have 4 hours of pool time a day (2x 2 hour sessions) with 4 lanes available to us. Steve provides us with a detail a training program for the week and helps to provide individual attention if wanted. All swimming is entirely optional if you wish miss a session and go to another class or just sit by the leisure pool no one is going to say anything, this is a holiday after all!

The price of the week entitles you to free use of the sports and leisure facilities at the resort, such as Tennis, Squash, Racket ball. Most classes, such as spin, ab attack and many different Yoga classes, are also included. The hire of equipment, and the majority of activities on the weekly program are also included.  You can get an idea of the classes and activates on offer @ http://www.clublasanta.co.uk/

Social: This is an extremely fun trip with lots of socialising as well as training! We arrange for a trip into Lanzarote for a night out (last year was a where’s Wally (or Waldo for those from the other side of the pond!) theme fancy dress). There is a big BBQ on the last night to celebrate finishing the week and a mid-week pasta night that is also very popular! It’s always a very friendly atmosphere with the chance to get to know people and make new friends!

Flights: Recommended flights are the Monarch flight from Gatwick flight. Leaves at 15:00 and arrives 19:15. Other possibilities are: EasyJet from Gatwick flight leaving at 16:35 and landing 20:50. Or those wishing to collect Avios can travel from Heathrow via Madrid with Iberia / BA. Leaves at 11:35 and lands at 17:35

Rooms: We always have a combination of couples and singles, so if you have a roommate preference, please let me know.

Coach: The cost for coaching staff to attend the camp will be be added to the quote from La Santa and distributed evenly among everyone going.

Late arrivals/Early departures: All rooms and prices will be for the entire week and we won't be able to discount the weekly rate for late arrivals or early departures. Rates are usually very reasonable and most are able to come for the whole week, so I hope this won't be an issue. If people want an idea on costs please email James / Third / Foxcatcher on the address below.

Deposit:  La Santa has been asked for a quote this publish deposit/payment amounts and deadlines when we have them. The deposit is non-refundable and usually due sometime in February so please try to be sufficiently sure that you are able to go.

This is a great week or training, fun & sun. So if you're interested in attending email  james83rd@gmail.com by 15th February 2015 to register your interest and book a spot on the trip. 

 

LUTRA on the Championship 1 top goal scorers list

Lutra players Rebecca (Gari) Mulcahy & Lindsey Williams are on the Championship 1 top goal scorers list with 14 & 8 goals each thanks to some sharp shooting in the opening 3 Championship 1 matches last weekend. Full stats from all divisions can be found on the BWPL website. Keep up the good work girls. 

Gari warms up

Gari warms up

Championship 1 top goal scorers

20 Danica Brazier (Mid Sussex Marlins)
16 Bernice Cowton (Sheffield Sharks) 
14 Rebecca Mulcahy (Otter Lutra)
12 Grace Morley (Tyldesley)
12 Aoife Murray (Penguin Emperors)
11 Milly Wordley (Welsh Wanderers) 
10 Larissa Partridge (Mid Sussex Marlins)
9 Isobel Bates (Mid Sussex Marlins)  
8 Lindsey Williams (Otter Lutra) 


Championship 1 kicks off in Northampton

Lutra's Championship 1 season kicked off last Saturday 16th January in Northampton with tight opening matches vs Sheffield Sharks & Leeds Sharks.

Bugsy in attack

Bugsy in attack

It was the first time the teams have met this season. Leeds & Sheffield both played in BWPL Division 1 for Phase 1, dropping to Championship 1 for phase 2 after finishing 6th & 7th in Division 1 respectively. Sheffield jumped out to an early lead in the mornings game, winning the first quarter 5-3. Otter outscored Sheffield in the 2nd and at the main break the scores were 6-5. But Lutra couldn't quite close the gap, loosing the 3rd & 4th (4-3) & (5-2). And Sheffielf took the game 15-10. 

Otter scorers: Gari 5, Linds 2, Helena, Shkurks & Bugsy 1. 

A few hours later and Lutra were back in action against a strong Leeds side. There was nothing between the teams for most of the game. Leeds lead the first quarter (4-3), the third was a tight (1-0) & the 4th locked at (3-3). But it was Leeds 2nd quarter with 4 goals to Lutras 1 which proved the difference, allowing Leeds taking the match 12-7.

Otter scorers: Gari 4, Linds, Helena & Yedden 1.  

The third game of the weekend was against a more familiar opponent Tyldesley. Lutra took the game by the scruff of the neck right from the beginning scoring 4 unanswered goals to win the first quarter (7-3). Strong defence saw Lutra shut out Tyldesley in the 2nd quarter while netting a further 4 times to lead (11-3) at the main break. Before swimming away with game in the 3rd & 4th quarter with another 10 goals to Tyldesleys 4. The 21 win was a great team effort.  7 different Otters scored, & the team gave away only two majors to Tyldesleys 6. 

Otter scorers: Gari 5, Lindsey 5, Bugsy 4, Yedden 2, Helena 2, Izzy, Catherine & Alex 1. 

Lutra's next games are on the 30th & 31st January in Liverpool. Full results & table can be found on the BWPL website here. 

Entries for the British Masters and Senior Age Group Championships Open today

Entries for the British Masters and Senior Age Group Championships, one of the highlights of the 2016 National Masters calendar, open today at noon. Entires will be open until Wednesday 9th March; Midnight.  

To enter click on the following link: https://www.swimmingresults.org/events/bsmasters16/index.php

The event will take at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge from 1 - 3 April. Ahead of the 2016 LEN European Masters Championships in London, this event will give competitors in Sheffield the chance to swim their best times.

Please Note: It is anticipated that there will be a high number of entries this year. To address this there is a limit of six individual events per competitor. Should the meet or session still be oversubscribed, entries will be on a “First Come First Served” basis.  In such cases a refund will be given for those events the swimmer has been rejected.

Good luck Otters. 

 

Otter 4x100 Ladies free relay after breaking the British & European record @ British Masters in 2014. 

Lutra go for the three-peat

Otter Lutra kick off their Women's Championship 1 title defence this weekend with games against Sheffield Sharks (13:05 Sat), Leeds Sharks (16:20 Sat) & Tyldesley (10am Sun). Lutra have been undefeated in Championship 1 for the last two years (2013/2014 & 2014/2015) and will be looking to win the division for the third consecutive year in 2015/2016. 

The defending champs will be looking to turn the tables on Sheffield this year after going down 8-6 in Phase 1 of Div 1 last year. Of the opponents they take on this weekend Lutra has the best track record against Tyldesley winning both of their last encounters; 15-10 in Championship 1 last year, and 17-5 in Division 2 earlier this season. While the game vs Leeds is likely to go down to the wire. The teams were virtually inseparable last year with the Div 1 clash ending in a 6-all draw before Otter came up trumps with a 9-8 win in the championship 1 replay. 

Good luck Lutra. 

Champions Otter return to defend their U/17s NAGS title in 2016

All of last year’s National Age Group champions have confirmed that they will defend their national water polo crowns after entries closed for the U17 & U19 NAG Champs 2016. Among them are defending champions Otter who return to NAGS action in search of their third consecutive girls U/17s title. The Otter U/19s are looking to finish one place better again this year after finishing with silver in 2015, and bronze in 2014.  Following the success of our younger Otter '02s in the U/15s last year, Otter have also entered Otter Futura teams in both the U/17 & U/19 age group this year so that all our future stars can get as much experience at a National Level as possible. 

U19 Girls (1998 and under) Competition dates
Group A & B Preliminary round: 5 March – Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Qualification round: 9 – 10 April – Watford Leisure Centre
Finals weekend & Plate competition: 23 – 24 April Manchester Aquatics Centre

2016 U19 Girls Teams
Cheltenham
City of Leeds
City of Manchester
Exeter
City of Liverpool
Mid Sussex
Northampton
Otter
Otter Futura
Hucknall
Caledonia

U17 Girls (2000 and under) Competition dates
Group A Preliminary round: 12 March – The Edge, Leeds University
Group B Preliminary round: 13 March – GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester
Qualification round: 19 – 20 March – Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Finals weekend & plate competition: 23 – 24 April – Manchester Aquatics Centre

2016 U17 Girls Teams
Cheltenham
City of Manchester
Crawley
Exeter
City of Liverpool
Otter
Otter Futura
Rotherham
Tyldesley
Caledonia
Welsh Wanderers