LEN European Masters Aquatics Championships 2016

The LEN European Masters Aquatics Championships 2016 were held last week at the magnificent Olympic Pools. These fine OTS swimmers all gave it their best:

Geraldine T, Emily C, Lizzie B, Lucille T, Karin L, David F, Ben G, Paul S, Fabrizio C, Neal T, Matthew L, Michael W, José Luís , Stephen L, Andrew B, Miles C, Darren G, Tim F, James T, Martin B, Jason K, John K

The standard of competition and the number of entries from throughout the continent were incredible. Our club's highlight was an amazing 4*50m freestyle men's relay team coming 4th in Europe! Also in the top 10 were Neal T (8th), David F (8th) and Matthew L (5th). In addition, we got lots of PBs (including Geraldine T, Lucille B, Emily C, Darren W, Andrew B, Neal T). A special mention must go to Lizzie Bellinger, won gold in the 50m butterfly (1.06.79) and silver in the 100m butterfly (29.47) and 5th in 200 IM- sensational!  

In Syncro, Susan I performed a technical and free routine that placed her an excellent 2nd. 

This competition may be over, but OTS is here to stay. Eurogames Helsinki and Middlesex are our next big events.

David Deporta Mendez
Competition Secretary

Out To Swim dominates EuroGames' water

So the Eurogames are over for one more year. Team Out to Swim was on fine form and we met people from all over the world: London, Paris, Tel Aviv. On poolside, team spirit was high with everyone supporting and cheering each other on. A hearty congratulations to those swimmers racing in their first Eurogames, you aced it (especially those 1 minute entry times). We may have been a small team this year, but we did the club proud. In total the team brought back 25 gold, 13 silver and 4 bronze medals. There were sterling performances from everyone with PBs being broken all over the shop and some of the most graceful diving seen outside of the Olympics. You'll all be glad to know that no one was disqualified for bad turns or not finishing correctly. And the last event of the competition ended in a breathtakingly exciting heat between two OTS teams in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. 

But no Eurogames is solely about the competition. On the Friday night the team celebrated the end of the swimming in style with a rather lovely and surprising nurse. On Saturday, we joined in the parade for Helsinki Pride along with the other thousands of competitors in the blazing sunshine and brought a roster of classic pop songs, expertly sung and occasionally choreographed, to the march, then danced the night away at the official closing party. And Sunday, as the team dispersed for their flights, we enjoyed one final lunch together, on the harbour front, with the seagulls.

There is one final thanks to give. And that is to Sue, for bringing the laughter everywhere we went. Oh Sue.

That is all from this year. Next year the World Out Games are in Miami. See you there for more fun and frivolity. I need to go now and check on my Glounge.

Nick Miller