Marlins in Dubai December 2008

BSM Marlins: Not Your Average Swim Team

Muscat - The Danway Long Course International Swim Meet in Dubai drew swimmers from three continents, amongst them were competitors who had swum at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as European and Commonwealth champions. It was set to be an enthralling three-day event by any standard.

“There were some superb international swimmers taking part,” says David Rogers, Director of Swimming at the British School Muscat and Head Coach of the BSM Marlins. With obvious relish, Rogers adds: “It was always going to be a challenging meet but it was exactly the right kind of international exposure my squad needed at this point in the swim season. The team has been training hard since September and they’re putting in a lot of hours and metres. We were all keen to see how they would perform and see what sort of times they could post against their international counterparts. And let’s make no mistake – this was serious competition.”

Although the squad went for the experience of competing in an international meet, they delighted their coach by distinguishing themselves with a haul of personal bests, new school records and regular places in the finals. Two swimmers, Theodore Pender and Olena Kozak-King, brought home medals.

“I was over the moon to get a bronze in the 400 metres freestyle. Mr Rogers prepared us really well,” says 13 year-old Theodore Pender. He adds: “My sights are now firmly set on making the qualifying times for the 2009 British Age Group Championships.”

Still clearly delighted by her success, triple medal winner Olena Kozak-King agrees: “We were up against some very stiff competition but the whole squad was really motivated. I was particularly looking forward to the 100 metres butterfly and hoping to make the final in that but to get a silver medal was beyond anything I had hoped for. It was the last event of the meet and I already had two bronzes under my belt so it really was a dream come true.”

Olena’s sister, Hannah, is also enthusiastic about the meet: “This was something special for our squad. We were all very focused and I think that’s why we all did so well.”

Indeed, the mood of the squad after the competition was undeniably buoyant. “I swam in eight events in total,” laughs a proud Chloe Barrow, who at 10 years old is the youngest member of the BSM Marlins squad. Chloe adds: “I trained really hard and was determined to do my best. It was very exciting to compete against so many fantastic swimmers.”

“I really enjoyed my races. I can’t wait for next year because my aim is to get a medal then,” confides Mattie Knowles, who made the finals of the 10-11 age group 50 metres backstroke.

Sian Cogan comments: “I was so happy when I made the qualifying times for the meet and we all put in great performances in Dubai.” Her sister Roisin, a 100 metre backstroke finalist adds: “I think people are beginning to realize that the British School Marlins aren’t your average swim team.”

However, the biggest cheers were probably for the races of Lewis Whitelaw as he had fractured his wrist just before going to the Dubai meet: “I didn’t know if I’d be able to compete,” says Lewis, “but I was determined to swim.” And swim he did, setting a string of personal bests.

With training from 5:30am three mornings a week and four afternoons, two hours each session, the BSM Marlins have clearly been working hard. On top of the regular training sessions, they had a special week-long swim camp at the British School, not just for the swimmers who were competing in the Danway meet but also for the ones who hope to compete at next year’s meet. “We’re taking a long-term view here,” smiles Rogers. “There’s a lot of potential in the squad and I don’t just mean in terms of the domestic swimming scene. We’ve another six months of the season to run and there’s lots more we can achieve in that time. I’m confident you’ll be hearing more about these swimmers.”

The mood amongst the BSM Marlins is perhaps best summed up by Jack Staples and his brother Tom: “It just left us asking when we could compete in an event like that again! It was fantastic,” they said in unison.