From Stingray Swim Club

At the ASA Youth National Championships last week in Sheffield, UK, the medals machine, Geoff Butler, raced to his first Commonwealth Games qualifying time in the 1500 freestyle.

Coming off an excellent performance at the NatWest Island Games in Bermuda, Geoffrey kept the fast times rolling to clock a 16:13 in the 1500 at Sheffield, nearly 10 seconds under the qualifying time set by CIASA for Commonwealth.

Geoff will head to the games next July, 2014 in Glasgow Scotland. Congratulations Geoff! You’ve made your family, your team and your country proud!

Let’s go get a couple more Stingray swimmers qualified!

Related story:

Dart supports summer swim camp

From Swimming.ky

The competitive age group swimming season technically ended in July, but thanks to support from Dart Enterprises Ltd. the Stingray Swim Camp – being held in the first two weeks of August – is providing swimmers from all of Cayman’s Swim Clubs and Schools with the opportunity to get some much needed pool time to help keep them in competitive shape.

“Dart’s support of competitive age group swimming is evident by the commitment Camana Bay has made in its sponsorship of the Camana Bay Aquatic Club,” commented Jo Lawson, Chair of Dart’s Philanthropic Giving Committee. “In just two years, CBAC has become an extremely successful competitive club, and we look forward to its continued growth under its new Head Coach Brad Hutton whose first day “on deck” is slated for August 26^th. This camp will give all of Cayman’s competitive age group swimmers the opportunity to get wet and Dart is happy it could help make this happen.”

During each Swim Season, coaches at Stingray, Camana Bay Aquatic Club, Brac Barracudas and Team TI write workouts for their swimmers which develop strength, speed and endurance. Throughout the season they swim in training cycles, with each cycle focusing on different skills and techniques. Each cycle builds on the previous cycle, and swimmers work hard day in and day out to maintain their fitness and to compete in the domestic and international meets on their calendars.

And then comes the summer. When asked why swimmers train so much, Stingray’s Head Coach Andy Copley commented that, “…because swimmers compete in an environment which is not ‘natural’ to them they lose endurance and swimming fitness rapidly when they are not training. Studies have shown that a week out of the water can translate into two weeks loss of endurance performance … so taking the whole summer off just isn’t an option!”

“We are extremely grateful to Dart Enterprises for their support,” said SSC President Dr. Brenda McGrath.  “This year we have been able to hold two weeks of camp for all of Cayman’s competitive age group swimmers – with week one catering to the 10 & Under age group and week two the 11 & Over age groups. This is a great opportunity for all of our swimmers to get some pool time in while also having fun in a non-competitive atmosphere.”

For information on Stingray Swim Club visit www.caymanswimming.com or email [email protected].