23 Tapered Otters made their way to Cardiff International Swimming Pool on the weekend of the 18th- 20th June. A new facility, with good reports from those who had tested the waters at the Welsh Capital Masters’ in May, the team were eager to try it out. Strong swims at Middlesex two weeks before meant that there was much optimism over the performances that were to come….

The Records!

As ever, the Otter record charge was led by the esteemed Derek Parr. Not content with setting British Records in the 50 and 100 fly (31.11 and 1.11.65) and a World Record in the 200 fly (2.47.60), he took on the 400 IM and set a further British Record (6.30.27) taking 4 golds and a silver (200 FS) in the process. Fiona Marshall added to the haul with her first individual British Record in the 50 breaststroke (34.41) and demonstrated her all round sprinting quality to take a further gold in the 50 free and silvers in the 100 breast and free.

Medals Galore

Proof that the Otter Squad goes from strength to strength was apparent as Natalie Effemey made her debut in a black and white hat, taking two golds (100 BK {club record} and 200 IM) and a silver (100 BS)). Club captain, Gina Hobson, led by example taking 2 golds (50 FLY and 100 FS) and a trio of silvers (50 FS, 100 FLY and 100 BK). Further medals came from Michelle Senecal (Gold: 100 and 200 FLY, Silver: 50 FLY, 200 and 400 FS, Bronze: 50 FS), Catherine Dobson (Bronze: 50 and 100 FLY),  Bob Palmer (Gold: 50 BS, Silver: 200 BK),  Enrico Hahn (Silver: 200 BS, Bronze: 400 IM), Liz Shaw (Bronze: 100 and 200 BS) and Phil Harper (Gold: 50 FS, Silver: 100 FS, Bronze: 50 BK). Strong performances also came from Damien Chaveriat, Lesley Davies, Andy Hudson and Tony Ray.

Distance Swimming Haul

Deserving of a section of their own, through the sheer distance swam and extra time spent at the pool, are our ever increasing number of distance swimmers. Kicking off with the 1500 and having to travel up early on Friday were Dan Bullock (Gold: 800 FS, Silver: 400 and 1500 FS) who battled shoulder injury in his first longcourse swim since 1984(!), Roger Lloyd-Moston (Silver: 1500 FS and 100 FLY, Bronze: 50 FLY and 100 FS) and Lesley Cook.

Next up: the 800 free. Notable performances came from Jane McMenemy (Gold: 200, 400 and 800 FS) setting records at each distance, John Talbot (Gold: 200 and 800 FS {Club Record}), Melissa Perks (Gold: 400 and 800 FS) also setting a full compliment of club records, Tomasso Tufarelli (Bronze 200 FS, Silver: 400 FS), Peter Rae (Gold: 200 and 400 FS, Silver: 800 FS, Bronze: 50 and 100 FS) with another club record set and Catherine Couquet (Gold: 50 FLY, Bronze: 100 and 800 FS) each also a club record with a fourth claimed in the 200 IM amongst a strong field.

The Relays

The relays were, as usual, dominated by the Otters. Gold came in style for the 120+ women in the Medley (Dobson, Marshall, Hobson and Effemey) and Freestyle (Marshall, Senecal, Hobson and Dobson) relays with performances that beat all comers by 4 and 3 seconds respectively. A further nine relay medals were claimed (Gold: 100+ and 200+ Mixed IM, Silver: 100+, 160+, 240+ Men's FS and 240+ Men’s IM, Bronze: 120+ Mixed FS, 240+ Mixed IM and 240+ Men’s FS) with the Men’s 100+ FS just pipped out of the bronze medal position.

The Conclusion…

Sadly, the overall trophy was not ours to retain. Obviously frightened by last year’s shock loss, Spencer SC fielded (what felt like) 200 relay teams and took the lead away from Otter in the final session. However a team of only 23 (compared with over 30 last year) took a total of 69 medals (27 G, 23 S and 19B) and 4 British and 1 World record, the only question that remains is: is there any limit to the rise of the Otters?!

Many thanks to Steve for his unending enthusiasm and encouragement over the weekend; particularly under what were, at times, sauna-like conditions and for preparing the squad so well. Further thanks to Gina Hobson and Tony Ray for their tireless organisation of relays and to everyone who heeded the call to shift the lanes about to accommodate the Cardiff Crew throughout June.

Next up: Barnet Sprint – 6th September, Cadiz (European Championships) – 15th to 20th September, SER (Guildford) – 3rd October and Sheffield – 23rd to 25th October. Entry forms available on the Otter or British Swimming websites.

All swimmers welcome, the more the merrier! This time next year let’s get out an even bigger team, representing every lane and age group, and wrest our shiny trophy back!!!