Bridlington, Saturday 2nd March 2024

South Holderness Swimming Club ventured to Bridlington for the first of this years Hull and District Meets.

Awaiting us there our fellow district clubs; Bridlington and Pocklington.

The beach was cold and the sea was rough with large brown waves rolling onto the sands. However indoors it was nice and warm with a sea of black and green to be seen causing waves in the pool.

With 43 swimmers present the club was out in force and they really did do their best throughout the evening. There was only a few heats that didn’t have a SHSC present which shows how much we have grown.

The club was well represented across both the 25m and 50m distances and across all strokes showing the depth and capability of our swimmers.

The team warmed up well and with a few practice starts under our belt we were all set for the first races ahead. Team leader Paul, Coach Tracey and Head Coach Steve were all poolside readying the swimmers for the task ahead.

The Gala was a mix of development 25m races and full 50m races which will show recorded times for swimmers on the ASA rankings system.

All swimmers were looking to gain some PBs but also snatch up some silverware.

We progressed with a full programme consisting of 78 heats. The time past quickly with so many swimmers to watch and cheer on it was absolutely brilliant.

Some interesting information below:

43 swimmers represented SHSC

165 races were swam by SHSC

7525 metres swam (approx.7.5km from the swimming pool to Burton Constable Hall)

254.73 total seconds reduces via PBs for the whole team.

The Gala saw a number of our swimmers debuting at their first outside galas and making a great impact. Well done Oliver, Dexter, William, Erica and Ava they swam their socks off and also settled into the team so well.

We placed well all evening not only in the top 6 of each event but had an amazing 71 places in the top 3 spot.

1st – 27

2nd – 20

3rd – 24

4th – 17

5th – 18

6th – 18

50 m Races

Wow absolutely amazing result for Macey achieving a 30s PB.

Congratulations also to Ava (×2) and Charlotte J for getting over a 10s PBs.

We had so many brilliant performances throughout the evening but we all enjoyed the clash of the titans with Alfie and Robert going head to head and we saw some very close finishes (would not want to be judging that finish)

I particularly liked the moment Evie did her Breaststroke turn smiled across at her fellow swimmers and then did a great last length to get a brilliant PB.

25m Races

These races are excellent for getting swimmers ready for the 50m and 100m races they will incur in the future.

We had good representation across those races and some excellent results. Some to call out are Isabelle storming on her fly and Scarlett matching this success on her backstroke.

William finishing at pace and unfortunately hitting his head but he was so brave and got the gold for his pain.

Ethan, Oliver, Erica, Ava and Dexter stepping up for their first external races and showing real courage

These are only a few of the fabulous results we saw.

All times are valuable and we can learn from each and every result. If you didn’t get a PB, remember you tried hard and can use these learnings for the next race!

Swimming is about pushing yourself as an individual but our swimmers not only do this ten fold, the team spirit they show is fantastic. They cheer each other on at the lane ends but it’s the little things we see and hear at poolside which make us really proud. Keep it up team!

Sometimes a kind word or encouragement from an unexpected source can make the difference to someone’s day and performance.

We had a few goggle problems and for some swimmers we managed to sort it with tightening and putting hats over the top but for those still struggling please have a look at this for the next meet.

We missed Billy and Ella M from our line up but hope they are both OK.

Congratulations to Gary and Carol for making the gala a great success! We appreciate everything you do at the Hull and District level to give our swimmers the opportunity to progress with their swimming dreams.

Huge thanks to all our supporters and parents bringing the children to Bridlington for the meet and for cheering on all of the swimmers!

Last but not least thanks to all the swimmers for their impeccable behaviour and giving ot their best!

Also nobody told us their was an after party at McDonald’s but we gate crashed it.

SHSC were definitely in the house of the golden arches!

Sunday 18th February 2024 – Ponds Forge Sheffield

It was a wet grey cloudy Sunday but South Holderness Swim Club set their satnavs south their destination Ponds Forge, Sheffield. The aim of the day represent the club in the Yorkshire Championships team races in the beautiful 50 metre pool.

The best of the best across all of Yorkshire rocked up to Ponds Forge on this day to participate in the Yorkshire Championships and the place was electric.

We were very excited to be showcasing 9 SHSC relay teams for 2024. The club had 5 relay teams for the morning session and 4 relay teams in the afternoon session.

To put this into perspective we were only able to field 3 teams in the 2023 Yorkshire Championships so this year was a great achievement and shows how far we have come as a club being out in force with 3 times as many teams.

With team leader Paul and coach Tracey poolside we were ready for the day.

Morning warm up went well with a few shocked faces as they dived in. The water is a lot colder in this pool compared to home. The swimmers did not believe us but it’s supposed to help them swim faster.

We had a lovely team photo of our morning swimmers, which Alfie purposely avoided (you will be full centre next time!).

The swimmers were in good spirits but a few nerves for our debutants. Huge thanks to a number of older swimmers who helped calm and reassure them. It brought great team spirit to the stands and helped ready everyone for their races.

The teams lined up for their relays and off to the blocks they went to give it their best!

We made it through the morning session with all teams achieving times and no disqualifications.

The afternoon team members joined us and the excitement increased after the success of the morning relays.

Second warm up completed with further shocked faces as they entered the cold water and we were all set for the afternoon session ahead.

The teams supported each other brilliantly and cheered each other on. Again the teams completed their respective Freestyle and Medley relays with style and determination and we again clocked times for all relays with no disqualifications.

The relay change over practice really came into play and was demonstrated throughout the day by our clean sheet on take overs – well done all.

Teams for the – AM Session

Girls 11/12 IM & FREE RELAY

A. Amelia, Charlotte, Macey, Lottie

B. Freya, Grace, Emily, Isabelle

Girls 15/16 IM & FREE RELAY

Evie, Imogen, Charlotte, Maia

Boys 13/14 IM & RELAY

Lewis, Cole, Aaron, Austin

Boys 13&over IM RELAY

Alfie, Lewis, Robert, Ian

Boys 13&over FREE

Alfie, Robert, Cole, Ian

Teams for the PM session

Boys 11/12 IM & FREE RELAY

A. Tyler, Ben, Max, George

B. Adam, Billy, Oscar, Tyson

Girls 13/14 IM & FREE RELAY

Caydence, Jessica, Chloe, Ella

Girls 13&over I’M RELAY

Hayley, lola, Sophie, Caydence

Girls 13&over FREE RELAY

Hayley, lola, Sophie, Chloe

All swimmers were absolutely superb and the behaviour was impeccable – thank you.

Big mentions to…

– Imogen well done for giving it your best and trying so hard we hope you feel better soon.

and also thank you for helping me sort the teams out in the stand.

– Hayley for stepping up to support the 15/16 relays this morning.

– Chloe and Caydence for also swimming in the 13 year and over relays this afternoon.

– Cole who also swam up for both teams allowing us to field the 13 year and over boys.

Well done to Macey for teeth gritted determination swimming both her lengths with goggles around her mouth and nose (we need to try double hats those goggles literally couldn’t have been any tighter).

These are but a few mentions. All swimmers did absolutely amazing and were a pleasure to support. Team race galas are fast paced and fun with every swimmer wanting to do their best for their team mates and they really did do this today!

Super proud of you all and look forward to our next one!

Lots of laughs at Big Fun – What a way to start 2024 swim year off !

The fun never stopped tonight with swimmers, friends and family catching up and having a blast!

Also time for a Happy Birthday song for Robert (which he absolutely loved) and cake for all.

Thanks to everyone who organised the night.

Keeping the magic of Christmas alive two local swim clubs came together at South Holderness Sports Centre to host the Southy Dolphins Christmas Cracker Gala.

The Pocklington Dolphins joined South Holderness Swim Club at South Holderness Sports on Sunday 17th December.

The sports centre looked great and was ready to greet their guests You could feel the magic in the air not only because Santa was poolside but because this is the gala the swimmers look forward to for the full calendar year .

The medals brought further inspiration with each swimmer hoping to clinch their favourites and all swimmers had turned up to do their very best. The medals:

1st Santa 2nd Snowman 3rd Present

And an awesome set of 4th, 5th & 6th medals for certain age groups

The swimmers were happy in the gym keeping warm with various activities. With Tracey on the mic and the wonderful supervising helpers from both Team Dolphins and SHSC we were all set. The first call went out and was not heard due to the sheer excitement of being at the Christmas Cracker! So with assistance from Pocklington’s head Coach’s fantastic whistling we were off!

The swimmers lined up eagerly and focused on their races with Billy, Kev and Jill lining them up and keeping poolside in order. Amy did a great job getting them start ready and the proceedings began!

The Pocklington Dolphins showed what a great team they are and swam with the elegance of their name sakes and the SHSC swimmers stepped up in home waters to take on the challenge and put on their best performance for the races ahead .

All the judges, time keepers and starters gave their brilliant support to make the Christmas cracker go off with a cracking start!

Proceedings ran smoothly and the results came through to the hall much to the swimmers delight. They eagerly went to the medal tables to collect their rewards

The first session closed with a buzz of happiness in the hall and more swimmers arrived and the rest kept themselves loosey goosey as one of our swimmers would put it

The second session began and the Christmas magic was definitely in the air as both clubs swimmers really hit off and were amazing again gaining PBs and winning more medals.

A few DQs were observed across the sessions but let’s analyse those and improve for the next swims

There was so much going on and I have done some stats below to sum it all up

All PBs are amazing and gaining them this close to Christmas after a long year and at the end of the school term is even more epic. I’ve done a summary of all PBs. Please note they are across 50m and 100m and their respective IM races:

There were lots of “New” times recorded throughout the day so well done, swimmers for taking on those races and nailing them!

Every PB is fantastic but some special mentions to:

Scarlett () for getting over 40 sec PB

Liam () for getting over 30 sec PBs

Kaelan , Joey , Sophie Rob , Freyr (x2) , Billy , Charlie , Amelia , Cole , Madison , for getting over 10 sec PBs

There also some PBs very close to 10 secs well done Bruno , Caydence , Chloe, Macey –

All PBs are valuable and it was great to see these being gained today

Please see both team’s top 3 positions;

You might have thought Santas reindeer had arrived in the gym as it sounded like bells ringing but no the sparkles and clinkage was from the swimmers wearing their medals proudly around their necks. It brought a sparkle to the end of the day and the swim calendar for 2023.

Thank you to the medal table volunteers for all your help throughout the day you did an amazing job and brought magic to the swimmers faces when they received their medals.

Further highlights of the day have to be:

The great behaviour observed by both clubs you were brilliant and really helpful when we were looking for swimmers – Thank you

The SHSC Rhoades sisters decided they were mermaids and chose not to swim, any of their races actually wearing goggles but they got through so well done but tighten up those straps!

The buffet was much appreciated by the swimmers and was brilliant thank you to all for your contributions.

It was a long day and as always I would like to thank the judges Carol and Teagan, Steve, Paul and Karl. And all others from both clubs for your support with our you we could not run these galas.

Unfortunately a few SHSC swimmers were stricken with the end of year lurgy and we wish Grace, Imogen and Robert speedy recoveries and hope Hayley’s shoulder feels better soon. Also best wishes to any absent Dolphins today.