This report focusses on the second half of the year where nearly all events are held over the short course, or 25m pools.

Congratulations go to all the swimmers who competed in the short course events, doing exceptionally well, and a big thank you to all our volunteers throughout the club, in their various roles, but especially to Head Coach, Ian Lewis, and his dedicated team of coaches, teachers, and poolside helpers who have done an incredible job at the various stages of swimmer development.

In terms of numbers, Fins CSC is a relatively small club, even within Fife. However, the results achieved during the short course competitions would appear to indicate that the club performs well above its size.

This can be seen in the final publication of the Scottish Age Group, and Open, rankings for 2024. The rankings start at 8 years but the 8 and 9 year olds are not included in the report, for a variety of reason, not least that the rankings tend to be extremely volatile and may send the swimmers the wrong message.

Twelve swimmers have achieved a total of 76 top 25 placings in the Scottish Age Group and Open rankings, with 9 swimmers gaining 30 top 10 placings including one 1st place.

Fins’ top swimmer, and the only one to gain a top 25 placing in the British Age Group rankings is Adam Selbie, 14 years male, who finished the year as 16th ranked swimmer in the 200m backstroke. In this event in the Scottish rankings Adam finished in 2nd place.
Overall, Adam gained a total of thirteen top 25 placings which, in addition to his 2nd spot, were: 4th – 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle; 5th – 1500m freestyle; 7th – 800m freestyle; 8th – 100m freestyle; 11th – 100m butterfly; 12th – 200m freestyle; 13th – 50m freestyle; 16th – 50m butterfly; 18th in both the 200m and 400m individual medley, and 19th in the 50m backstroke.

The Fins’ swimmer who tops the Scottish Rankings is Elliot Blair, 10 years male, in the 200m breaststroke. Elliot has a total of nine top 25 rankings and, in addition to his 200m breaststroke, they are: 3rd – 200m backstroke; 5th 200m freestyle; 6th – 100m backstroke; 8th – 50m backstroke; 9th – 200m individual medley; 10th – 100m breaststroke, and 13th in both the 50m and 200m freestyle.

Kristin Mackay, 16 years female, who also has nine top 25 rankings, namely; 3rd – 1500m freestyle; 6th – 800m freestyle; 8th in both the 400m freestyle and 400m individual medley; 12th – 200m butterfly 16th in both the 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley; 21st – 200m freestyle, and 25th – 100m butterfly.

Millie Whytock, 11 years female, achieved the highest number of top 25 placings at fourteen and they are: 4th – 200m backstroke; 5th in the 50m backstroke, the 200m freestyle, and the 200m butterfly; 6th in the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, and 100m backstroke; 10th – 200m breaststroke; 12th – 100m freestyle; 13th – 50m breaststroke; 14th – 200m individual medley; 19th – 100m butterfly; 22nd – 100m breaststroke; and 24th – 400m freestyle.

Lilian Blair, 12 years female, achieved thirteen top 25 rankings with: 8th in both the 50m breaststroke and 100m butterfly; four 11th placings in the 100m and 200m freestyle, the 50m backstroke and the 200m individual medley; 13th in both the 50m butterfly and 400m freestyle; 15th in both the 100m breaststroke and 200m butterfly; 18th – 50m freestyle; 19th – 200m breaststroke; and 24th – 100m backstroke.

Cole Gray, 12 years male, is 8th – 1500m freestyle; 18th – 400m freestyle; and 21st – 200m butterfly.

Erin Taylor, Open female. Despite competing in just a few events Erin has managed to gain two top 25 placings in the Open category (all ages); 9th – 200m butterfly; 15th -100m breaststroke,

Ethan Pate, 13 years male, is 10th – 200m butterfly; 16th – 400 individual medley; 20th in both the 400m and 1500m freestyle; and 21st – 200m freestyle.

Jack Campbell, 12 year male, is 10th – 200m butterfly.

Eva Watson, 13 years female, is 15th – 1500m freestyle; 18th – 800m freestyle; and 25th – 200m butterfly

Caleb Gray, 13 years male, is 19th – 1500m freestyle; and 20th – 200m butterfly

Irys Blair, 14 years female, is 23rd in both the 50m and 200m backstroke.

We are now in 2025 and as of 1st January all swimmers, except for those already in the ‘Open’ category, become a year older in swimming terms. The new year also brings new challenges for the swimmers. For those at the top, or near the top, of the Scottish rankings the challenge will be to maintain your position or hopefully move into the top 25 British rankings. For those further down the rankings the challenge will be to move up the rankings as far a possible, or in the case of several swimmers, who are just short of the 25th mark, to gain a place in the top 25.

Two, of several, ways to meet the challenges are by‘attendance’ and ‘attitude’.
It is important that you attend as many sessions that are available to you. According to the saying ‘Practice makes perfect’. However, there is a big ‘BUT’ associated to this saying and that is you need to practice doing things correctly. Practicing things incorrectly in training will NOT help you improve your swimming and this is where your coach is here to help you.

Please maintain a positive attitude to your swimming, both at training and in competitions. At training arrive in plenty time so that you are ready to start the session at the stated time. Throughout the session follow your coach’s instructions/guidance to the best of your ability.

In competition ensure you do a proper warm up before your swim and swim down after your swim. Maintain a positive attitude before and during a race and fully focus on your swim, no one else’s. Listen carefully to any pre-race instructions from your coach If you do things correctly in training and repeat them in a race situation you can do it when you are B&Q – ‘Better and Quicker’
Always seek comment from you coach after your swim, no matter how you performed, and remember you won’t get it right every time you race but the more times you do the more successful you will become,
Always believe in yourself.

I am now looking forward to see what improvements are achieved in 2025.

Good luck to all the swimmers.

Ken White,
Club Press Officer