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Figure 1.--. |
Many prep schools have swimming pools. They are one of the most popular places during the summer term because they are used not only for instruction, but recreational swimming. Even during the summer term the water tends to be quite cold, but the children do not seem to mind. Several schools have heated pools so they can be used year round. Swimming competitions are done rather like athletics. There are intra-school house competitions. There are also comprtitions between schools. Often several schools will get togrther to organize a meet.
Lions and Eagles produced yet another tense and exciting contest. The result was in doubt until the final event, with Lions eventually winning by 134 points to 130. There were four new events introduced at 'Unfer 9' level, namely underwater, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle relay. Conditions were unfortunately not condusive to record breaking but, nevertheless, Daniel Knowles did succeed in lowering the 'Under 10' backstroke record.
G.D. The Aquileon, (Belmont School), Feldemore, 1986-87
It's an early start for quite a few girls on Tuesday morning. The girls come downstairs to eat a hurried bowl of cereal. We walk down in the freezing cold at 7.45 am to the swimming pool. Sometimes the water is so cold we can't get in but sometimes it is hot. Mr New teaches us how to improve our strokes. Normally, if we have any time left over after we have done our work, we practice our diving. It is brilliant fun and I think it has improved all my strokes considerably.
Nina Trembath, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
Our pool unfortunately was not ready for use until the last three weeks of term as the new liner was not in. The pool, however, is now finished and being enjoyed by everyone. The new liner has already made a difference and the water temerature is higher than it has been for a long time which means it wll be easier to teach non-swimmers to swim. I am nost grateful to all those people who have gicen so much support to the various fund raising events. We have now raised enough money to pay fpr the liner with a lot left over. Although the pool is now looking very nice and is being fed with chemials so is quite safe to swim in, we will not be able to keep it looking cleanwithout the help of a filter plant. I hope we will be getting one very soon and once this is done, swimming should be able to flourish again.
JFL, The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
.... The Pownall Knockout 1979 had shortcomings, and was replaced with a novely event using floats. Juniors swum with it in the prone position; Middles on their backs with it behind their heads; and the Seniors had to propel themselves with their arms, keeping the float between their legs. Known as the Mixed Float Relay, it made an effective competiton, and was won by Clarke. ....
HNBB, The Wheasheaf (Pownall Hall), 1980.
.... We started with 39 nonswimmers, of these 16 passed the test during the term, and all but 7 could swim a length.
GGF, Lambrook Chronicle, 1980.
There was a commotion in Gibraltar
Mr Bwtree has come in
He tells us it's the moment
To have a midnight swim
We go out to the swimming pool,
Preparing for the fright.
I climb in slowly and refuse
But fall into the night.
The freezing waters turn and change
Into some warm delight.
And now I have a lovely swim
At ten o'clock at night.
John Armitage, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
In the utumn term a group of ten children coached by Mrs Thoms practiced hard for the Gold Personal Survival Award. They took their test in Secember and were all successful; this is the largest number of children to pass the Gold Award in recent years. We celebrated by inviting Tony Davidson, a former Great Britain swimmer, to come and present the awards. Parents and awatd-winners enjoyed a very pleasant evening in February.
Rosemary Brookes, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1984.
