Royals New Year Meet 2019

Well, it seems a diet of turkey and chocolate could be the way forward if our swimmers’ performances at the weekend were anything to go by.

There were a raft of PBs – some of which secured those all-important county times – and a good haul of medals.

They weren’t the only ones bringing home the hardware, but special shout-outs should go to Daniel S, who got Gold in 100 IM and Bronze for 50m fly; Millie A, who brought home a Silver for the 200 IM and Bronze medals for 100 freestyle and 200 breaststroke; Joseph P, for Bronze in 50 backstroke; and Millie U, with a Silver in 100 backstroke and a Bronze for 50 freestyle.

Also deserving of plaudits are those parents who stuck it out poolside in meltdown temperatures – an endurance test deserving of a medal in itself. And thanks to Mackinh and Robyn, who was typically indefatigable in cheering on and supporting all the swimmers.

It was also great to see many of our swimmers cheering on their teammates and willing them on to success. Of course, no swimmer is going to get a PB every time they get their feet wet, but they should take heart from the fact that, even if they are seasoned pros at galas, they can still learn something from every single race, and more so from those where things don’t go right.