Swimmer Profiles

 Cecil Benfold, our eldest member aged 84, has recently decided to hang up his competitive goggles. Cecil whose swimming career began when he was 28 was a water polo player, in the London League playing for St James' Club, Dulwich & Peckham, retiring from that when he was 34 and did not return to the pool until he was in his forties. Whilst working for Air Canada Cecil swam during his lunch break to maintain his fitness. When Masters Swimming began he started to train regularly with the Crocodiles at Feltham Pool, and swimming competitively for Heston Swimming Club until he was 75. At 75 he joined Kings Cormorants and has been a member ever since. Over the years Cecil has achieved much, swimming at local, national and international meets including the World Masters Games. Particular successes include a Bronze medal at the European Masters Championships at Majorca in 2001, in the 50m backstroke. Records include a British Record in the 100m Butterfly when he was in his 70s, and eight relay records. In his 80s he was selected to swim for the surrey County Masters Team competing in the 65+ age group, where most of his competitors were at least 15 years younger! Over the years Cecil has won many medals and awards, all of which are kept in his shed!

Cecil will continue to swim but only for pleasure and to keep fit. Cecil - enjoy your retirement and thanks for being a committed and supportive member of the club - we  shall miss you.

Cecil at the Europeans in 2001

Cecil with fellow swimmers, Dorothy Weston and Peter Pollard, from Heston and Kings Cormorants

Cecil with Jack Hale, who swam in the 1948 & 1952 Olympics

and finally Cecil's 80th birthday cake celebrating his butterfly swimming!

Guildford Lido Relay Event

Kings Cormorants enjoyed taking part in the Relay Event held at Guildford Lido, on a warm June evening, organised by Jim Boucher of Surrey Swimming Lido
 

Success for the club at the 18th Guernsey International Meet April 2009  - Phil Newman wins top male swimmer award and club wins for second year in a row the Top Visiting Club award and for the results

 Congratulations to Ann van Beukelen who, at the ASA Council last weekend in Stratford upon Avon was presented with the prestigious Alfred H Turner award for her services to swimming at Club, County, Regional and National levels as an official, referee, judge entirely in a voluntary capacity. And she still finds the time to swim with us regularly.

Reading  Matter

Dream to win - Rebecca Adlington  Roy Apps tells the story of Rebecca's early years and her breakthrough into the British Olympic Team.

No Limits: The Will to Succeed - Michael Phelps - explores the hard work, commitment and sacrifice that goes into achieving one's aims as an Olympic Swimmer

Speed Demon-  a plain guide to swimming sprint freestyle - by Fiona Holt -for competitive sprint freestyle swimmers this book focuses on posture, starts and turns, power, fitness, flexibility and stroke technique.

Mind Training for Swimmers - everything you need to know -by Craig Townsend ( Australian Swim Guru) hints, tips and guidance for mental training to enable you to swim better.*

The Great Swim by Gavin Mortimer - tells the story of four swimmers, who in 1926, battled with each other and the weather to become the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Age is just a number- Dara Torres made the decision to return to swimming and make her fifth Olympic team as an older athelete. A frank book in which Dara talks about her comeback; about being an older athlete in a younger athletes' game; about competition, doubt, and belief; about working through pain and uncertainty; and finally, about seizing the moment and, most important, never giving up.*

Off the Deep End -W Hodding Carter of Maine Masters dreamed of being an Olympian when a child. Despite just missing qualification for the Olympic Trials when at college. he resumes his quest again at the age of 41. This book tells his story.*

* all available from http://www.amazon.co.uk

Magazines

AquaPulse - an online magazine featuring articles about swimming and other water sports

ASA Masters Newsletter is now available as an e-newsletter

Swimmer - if you want some regular reading material dedicated to Masters, then consider taking out a subscription to Swimmer (the official magazine of  US Masters Swimming). Content includes technique articles, workouts, nutrition, health and new products. Click here for subscription details.
 

Sportsister.com is a new online sports magazine for women. Sportsister was launched to make sport more attractive and appealing to women. http://www.sportsister.com/ and features our club at http://www.sportsister.com/?p=2845