Times tumble as youngsters brave chill
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A SMALL team of Thurso swimmers travelled to Buckie recently to take part in the Elgin Spring swim meet.
On arrival at the pool the team was informed the heating had broken down and the air temperature was a little colder than usual, although the water was at optimum temperature.
The four swimmers started the first session with their warm-ups but had to quickly wrap up in warm clothes which is rather unusual at a swim meet. The day started well with Eve Nicoll (10) swimming the first race, 200m back, for Thurso, taking 17 seconds off her time with a PB of 3.12.27 – her first bronze squad time.
Euan Bremner (14) and Craig Mackay (12) swam the 50m open free, both of them coming close to previous PBs. Unfortunately, Euan decided at this point he was unable to continue with the meet due to feeling unwell.
Eve and Nicole Cowie (15) swam in the second session of the meet in the 200m breast and 200m back respectively.
The next morning the team arrived at the pool to be informed the temperature of the air and water in the pool was even lower than the previous day so the day would be challenging.
Eve opened the session for the Thurso swimmers with a 5.33-second PB in her 200m free event with a time of 3.07.08.
Craig Mackay followed with some excellent swims. Despite the chill, he had a good first attempt at the 200m fly with a time of 3.30.64 and a time of 2.56.81 in the 200m back. Nicole finished off the meet with an attempt to improve on her 200m breaststroke swim which was hampered by the cold conditions.
Overall, it was a fantastic effort by Thurso swimmers, and the first time and probably last time pool officials have had to wear woolly jumpers and scarves.
