Geelong Swimming Club

Geelong Swimming Club @ AIS

It took 3 planes and 2 cars to get the 21 swimmers and 13 adults of GSC contingent to the AIS Canberra on Friday 3rd Nov. We arrived to fine and warm weather. Great start to the weekend.

Not being to the AIS previously we didn't know the layout of the facilities. There was much deliberation and re-allocation of rooms that proved challenging. After some time it was finalised. However, in a room alone, proved a bit much for some of the younger members and a few mergers had to be made. Capacity of some apartments was stretched but coach Carole reinforced her title as Queen of the kids.

A tour of the AIS facilities late on Friday afternoon proved to be an eye-opener for young and old alike. The Sportec Museum houses memorabilia and interactive displays, the multi-purpose arena, the gymnastics hall (where young girls were stretched beyond belief and made the writers eyes water), the weight and conditioning gymnasium and the multiple pool facilities including the new $25 million high tech pool. All these left a lasting impression.

Food is certainly a key ingredient for developing bodies and the AIS residence cafeteria was exceptional. Dinner was help yourself to a range of healthy yet tasty choices and the quality was excellent. All enjoyed their food and going back for seconds was commonplace. Ice-cream was available and we learnt the following night that it isn't offered every night. Each choice has a nutritional value so for the elite athlete this would be important. We were disappointed that our timing of our stay at the AIS coincided with the World Cup Short Course in Sydney so there were no swimmers to hunt down for photos or autographs.

Following dinner everyone was tired after a hectic travel day and everyone was in bed at 9pm. Although there was no urgency to get up early (as competition started in the afternoon), all were at breakfast at 7.30 to choices of cereals (8 to choose from but no chocolate versions), juices, eggs, french toast, baked beans, fruits, yogurt, breads etc, all good. Nothing better than a great breakfast to prepare for the competition ahead. Packed lunches were provided by the AIS and they were ample.

We had time for photo's and a bit of retail therapy in the AIS Shop and plenty of time to check out the competition pool. Lane 2 has a mirror at the bottom of the pool. The Junior Swimmers warmed up in this lane. By the time we warmed up, the swimmers were quite relaxed. John gave a team talk as some of the swimmers had a huge program so it was important to stay focused.
The afternoon’s events went from 1.00pm to 5.30pm, where Olivia and Trent achieved national times, Jack produced a stirring come from behind win in the 400m free and all swimmers challenged their personal best and the opposition. Everyone was well satisfied and coach John praised the efforts of all swimmers later that evening. Colin had booked a room at the accommodation with the "huge" plasma" screen so we could watch the World Cup from Sydney but we could not get it to work. Lisa gave us a slide show of the photos from the day, everyone was entertained by some of the photos .

Following another sensational meal, the heavens opened above Canberra and we witnessed a spectacular light and sound show plus some localised flooding of our accommodation. We discovered Gail Richards is certainly spooked by a bit of thunder and may have broken the zero alcohol ban to calm her nerves.

All were in bed again by 9.30pm then back at the pool for warm up at 8.30 the next morning. Generally speaking the swimmers found it challenging to back up for the second day of competition, but the performances were still very good. The highlight of day 2 was the unique event of the two person handicap freestyle elimination relay, where multiple match handicap races gradually eliminated teams. The semi-finals saw two Geelong teams (Millie and Ella) (Harry and Keeley) remaining and although they both lost narrowly, their commitment (and pain) for their team member was obvious. There was fantastic support and cheering not only from ourselves but also a large contingent of Nunawading swimmers supporting their fellow Victorians.

The meet ended and although tired everyone was well satisfied with their efforts and the total AIS experience. John addressed the swimmers and complimented all for their efforts, times and behaviour.

Some headed for an early flight home, our Echuca members of Molly and Tyler Parkinson and Brock Norwood hit the road and the rest jumped in the bus headed off to do some site seeing.

Although we got to the War Memorial quite late, I believe the short experience of an overview of the displays, visiting the chapel of the unknown soldier and witnessing the closing of the day with the lone piper, left a lasting impression in some minds of what it is to be Australian.

Finally arriving at the airport only to find our flight had been delayed 1 hour. Being very tired and all exhausted we flopped into the lounge chairs and some either played cards, watched TV or if you were Gail and Carole having a quiet drink.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and all swimmers behaved extremely well and performed to there best. Swimmers have come back motivated and have been training really hard.

Highlights and/or Funny Moments (comments from swimmers)

Semi-final of the handicap relay and Trent getting national time - Heath
My multiple room-mates – Carole
Keeley and Harry pushing each other to the max – Brydie
Winning the 100 backstroke – Andrew
Relays when Nunawading cheered for us and we cheered for them – Rachael
In awe of the female gymnastics – Isobel
John B getting locked out of his room and needing cleaner to let him in – Many thought this funny
Heath is the forgetful club captain. Leaving his phone on the plane and misplacing his room key. He needs mum.
Giant basketballers squealing like us as they ran through the rain – Grace
Everyone getting along well together – Millie
Discovering Grace has a “very silly” voice – the girls
Colin’s effort at Sunday breakfast putting away 4 eggs and 6 rashers of bacon.
The Australian war memorial was quite stirring – several
The crazy Japanese tourist who jumped into our team photograph – Olivia
Colin, for being his fun loving self – no one (I just made that up)