59. 200m Individual Medley

Event: 200m Individual Medley
Date: 21st July 2014
Location: Charlton Lido
Cost: £6.00 each
Rules:  The swimmer competes in equal distances of every swimming style. The event combines technique, speed and endurance. The swimmer completes 50m of: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall at the end of each length and at the finish.

The Event:

   

Times:
Sarah: 07:00.96
Ellie: 07:33.48
London 2012 Olympic Gold: 02:07.57 - Ye Shiwen, China.
 

Comments:  

Sarah: I can safely say that butterfly isn't my stroke. I never seem to get into the flow of it, and it felt like it took hours to reach the end of 50m. The final three lengths came as a pleasure, and despite my aversion to butterfly, the Medley is a really fun event. The combination of strokes really mix the swim up, and it's fun turning from one stroke into the next. This was the first of two Individual Medleys we'll be completing, and I definitely need to get some more butterfly practice in before the longer event!  

Ellie: I am seconding everything Sarah says. By the time I got to the end of the butterfly length I was really tired and just spent the backstroke length getting my breath back!
In theory, I really like the butterfly. It makes a nice change from the 'normal' strokes and I can feel where you should be propelling yourself out and through the water. It just hasn't clicked for me yet, hopefully it will given some time and more effort. As the weather remains nice, I will try and make the most of it and get more swimming practice in. I am also going to experiment with the idea that I am faster through the water when I don't use my legs. It's an odd theory but I do feel more powerful and streamlined when I'm not kicking... I wonder if anyone else feels like this? Answers on a postcard...(or in the comments box).

58. Archery - Individual

Event: Archery - Individual
Date: 20th July 2014
Location: Chelmsford Tudor Rose Archery Club, Writtle College
Cost: £10 for taster session
Rules: Olympic archers shoot at a target measuring just 122cm from a distance of 70m. The target has ten circles; the largest outer ring is worth one point, with the score increasing by one point per ring as it gets closer to the centre. The bulls eye is worth 10 points. Each competition has two rounds; the initial ranking round and the second Olympic round. The ranking round sees each archer shoot six ends of 12 arrows each with the total score determining their seeding. The following Olympic round is a head-to-head elimination round. Archers shoot three arrows each (alternatively) with a time limit of 20 seconds per arrow. The archer with the highest score for that end of three arrows wins a set. Two points are awarded for winning a set, one point for a draw, zero points for a loose. Matches are the best of five sets; the archer first to six points is the winner and goes through to the next elimination round, until an overall winner is decided.

The Event:

Scores:

Set 1: S 18 v 19 E
Set 2: S 11 v 13 E
Set 3: S 14 v 22 E
Set 4: S 24 v 19 E
Set 5: S 14 v 13 E
Winner: Ellie

London 2012 Olympic Winner: Ki Bo-Bae, South Korea.   

Comments:  

Sarah: We ended up stumbling upon the group by accident after getting pretty lost around Chelmsford and the multiple campus' of Writtle College (get some better road signs Chelmsford!). As we were late, we jumped straight in and had a quick but thorough introduction before stepping on to the course. I've tried archery a couple of times in the past, but hadn't stored any of the techniques, so it was great to have a recap at the start of the session. We were able to have lots of shots, and were given tips as we went along. We were shooting at the 20 yard target, as apparently it would be impossible for beginners to get anywhere near the 70m distance. After trying both shooting and archery, I'm discovering that I don't have the most accurate hand-eye coordination, and my hits are fairly unpredictable. Today I struck everywhere and everything between the 9-point circle to the wood of the target support, to the grass behind the target.

Ellie: I thoroughly enjoyed my initiation into the world of archery. We were warmly welcomed by Angela, the secretary at Chelmsford Tudor Rose Archery, who gave us the always unnerving safety talk whilst kitting us out with the correct gear. I arched (?) with my left hand but it seems I might be right-eye dominant which would add extra interest to my already awkward left-handedness. Today I used my left eye and it seemed to work out okay. I got rather attached to my left-hand bow and also with the sport as a whole; I am looking forward to the team event a great deal. 
As with shooting, I enjoyed the aesthetics of the targets; it all looked beautiful against the green grass and the blue sky. I also really enjoyed the precision and ritual of the sport. The intricacies of where to stand, how to load your bow, when and how to approach your target and the scoring of each arrow. It is astonishing to me how much difference changing a small part of how you stand or where you position your fingers can make and I found it completely fascinating. With my very last arrow I landed this beaut right in the Gold; being a total show-off I had to take a photograph to show you!

57. Handball

Event: Handball
Date: 24th June 2014
Location: Brentwood Handball Club
Cost: £5 per lesson, four lessons.
Rules: Handball is a fast-paced, high-contact team game, with the objective of scoring more goals than your opponent.  It's the second-fastest indoor sport after ice hockey. Players throw, catch, push, bounce the ball using arms, head, torso, thighs, knees. It's important to remember the three 3s; players can hold the ball for a maximum of three seconds, take a maximum of three steps when in possession of the ball, and must stand 3m away from a player with a free-throw. Goal keepers can touch the ball with any part of their body when in defence within the goal area. Each side has 12 players, with seven on court at any one time. A match consists of two 30 minute halves, with a 10 minute interval at half-time.

The Event:

 

Scores:

Ellie (Red) - 8 v 4 - Sarah (Yellow)

London 2012 Olympic Winners: Norway   
 

Comments:  

Sarah: I had no idea what to expect from Handball. After a bit of youtube research before our first lesson, I was just about prepared for a fast, hectic and contact-heavy sport. It's a mixture of waterpolo, basketball and volleyball, but with it's own unique quirks. We spent four weeks learning and developing our skills; each week mixing training with a scrap match, which was a great way of putting what we'd learnt into practice. As Ellie says, it was actually quite handy having lower numbers on match night as it meant we got more time on the ball, and I started to understand how different set-ups, strategies and tactics play out. Handball was one of the sports that suffered a complete cut in funding from UK Sport following the Olympics. Undoubtedly funding cuts impact down through all levels of the sport, and it would be such a shame if the best GB players are unable to play due to the personal financial commitments needed to travel to play in international tournaments. It was great to meet such a passionate grassroots club, still trying to develop and promote the sport for the future. 

Ellie: Handball has been a bit of a whirlwind of a sport. It feels to me like one of the more fast paced sports we've tried - a lot like a dry land water polo. There are a number of skills to develop that go against my netball schooling and many intricacies to memorise. There was a wonderful atmosphere this evening. With lower numbers than usual, each team played one half with Connor, the goalkeeper, and one half without; and I felt that I was contributing more this week rather than shying away and letting the more experienced and accomplished players take the strain. I was proud to score a goal towards the end and to make a few minor interceptions but mostly I enjoyed beginning to understand what my teammates wanted me to do and the beginnings of doing that without thinking.

Back row L-R: Sarah, Remi, Rob, Hans-Jorg, Sophie, Harry, Ellie
Front Row L-R: Rob and Connor

Thanks to Hans-Jorg and all at Brentwood Handball Club who helped us to complete this event, and took part in our match! If you enjoy fast-paced team sports, then we'd really recommend you give Handball a try! http://www.brentwoodhandball.co.uk/index.php 

56. Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Two (K2) 500m

Event: Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Two (K2) 500m
Date: 19th June 2014
Location: Chelmsford Canoe Club
Cost: £20 Joining fee; £7.50 per session
Rules: Canoe sprints are head-to-head races held on still water. The K2 is held over a distance of 500m with two people in the kayak. Athletes stroke the paddles on alternate sides of the boat to go in a straight line, and follow the stroke of the athlete in the front position.

The Event:

Times:

London 2012 Olympic Gold: 1:42.21, Germany.  
Sarah's Boat: 3:27.12
Ellie's Boat: 4:20.16
  

Comments:  

Sarah: We had attempted the K2 in our first lesson a couple of weeks ago, and it felt really good returning to the boat. It's much easier having someone else do the steering! It's so helpful focusing on the strokes of the person in front, and I found that as I was concentrating on matching Judy's speed and rhythm, the rest of me relaxed in the boat so I was much less wobbly. We picked up pace at the end of the race, and I could really feel it in my arms, but it was brilliant to be paddling along so quickly. I've absolutely loved our time with Chelmsford Canoe Club, and would encourage anyone to give kayaking a go. It's one of my favourites so far, and I'll definitely be returning to the water. It's not even that bad when you fall in!

Ellie: The wider boat meant that I felt much less likely to capsize so this was an enjoyable end to the morning and our kayaking sprint experience. It was still very frustrating to be zigzagging up and down the river but this was much less the case with Mo helping and it was nice to be able to laugh and chat with someone whilst paddling along. We've been made to feel very welcome with Chelmsford Canoe Club. It's a lovely environment to learn the essentials and we've even had a sneaky practice in the slalom kayaks!


A huge thank-you to Mo, and everyone else, who has made us feel so welcome at Chelmsford Canoe Club! Thanks also to Mo, Sam, Jo and Judy for helping us out with the events, and risking us capsizing you! We'd really recommend everyone give kayaking a try, and can't think of a better club to learn with! They even have tea and cake at the end of each lesson! http://www.chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk/

Trying out the Slalom kayaks:

 

 

55. Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Single (K1) 500m

Event: Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Single (K1) 500m
Date: 19th June 2014
Location: Chelmsford Canoe Club
Cost: £20 Joining fee; £7.50 per session
Rules: Canoe sprints are head-to-head races held on still water. The K1 500m is held over a distance of 500m with one athlete in the kayak. Athletes stroke the paddles on alternate sides of the boat to go in a straight line, and sprint to the finish.

The Event:

Times:

London 2012 Olympic Gold: 1:51.45 Danuta Kozak, Hungary.  

Sarah: 4:20.11

Ellie: 5:05.08  

  

Comments:  

Sarah: The 500m race distance, along with the curved river, gave me a bit more opportunity to try and figure out how to use my rudder effectively. I think I just about got to grips with the balance for a more direct route on the water, rather than constantly weaving from side to side. I really enjoyed the longer distance; there was time to gain more speed, and the feeling when you're gliding through the water at pace is incredible.  

Ellie: 500m is a very long way. It is super frustrating to want to go directly down the river but to swing off to the banks - think wonky shopping trolley. Once you get in a rhythm though it can be very satisfying as you sit so low in the boat and in the water that you get a real sense of momentum and movement. I think a leisurely boat out to a beach or island and then a lovely picnic must feel very relaxing. One thing I will mention is at the end point of the 500m race there is a beautiful rose bush on the river side and it smells beautiful. The dunkings are worth it just to smell the roses and it's these little things that make the events memorable. 

54. Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Single (K1) 200m

Event: Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Single (K1) 200m
Date: 18th June 2014
Location: Chelmsford Canoe Club
Cost: £20 Joining fee; £7.50 per session
Rules: Canoe sprints are head-to-head races held on still water. The K1 200m is held over a distance of 200m with one athlete in the kayak. Athletes stroke the paddles on alternate sides of the boat to go in a straight line, and sprint to the finish line.

The Event:

 

 

Times:

London 2012 Olympic Gold: 0:44.63, Lisa Carrington, New Zealand.
Sarah: 1:50.36
Ellie: 2:05.32
  

Comments:  

Sarah: This one was a short and sweet dash to the finish line! It took me a while to find my sea legs and get used to the wobble of my boat. I was advised to relax into it, and after doing so, it did all seem to stabilise. I think my own tense legs were causing most of the shaking. Despite having a rudder, I found it quite tricky to keep my boat in a straight line, so it wasn't the most direct route to the finish, but was loads of fun.  

Ellie: Our first attempt at the 200m saw me using mega-tactics and veering across Sarah's path... well, I'd like to say this was a tactic but it really wasn't I just found it very hard to control the boat today. An early dip in the river Chelmer meant that I lost all confidence in handling the slim, speedy boats and I changed down to a trusty pink number. I think my facial expression speaks volumes - how on earth do the Olympic athletes keep these boats in a straight line without tipping themselves out every 50 metres? 

53. Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Four (K4) 500m

Event: Canoe Sprint - Women's Kayak Four (K4) 500m
Date: 11th June 2014
Location: Chelmsford Canoe Club
Cost: £20 Joining fee; £7.50 per session
Rules: Canoe sprints are head-to-head races held on still water. The K4 is held over a distance of 500m with 4 people in the kayak. Athletes stroke the paddles on alternate sides of the boat to go in a straight line, and follow the stroke of the athlete in the front position.

The Event:

From front: Sam, Sarah, Mo and Jo.

From front: Sam, Ellie, Mo and Jo.

Times:

London 2012 Olympic Gold: 1:30.82, Hungary.  
Sarah's Boat: 3:10.12
Ellie's Boat: 3:15.20 
  

Comments:  

Sarah: We arrived at the club to the sight of the K4 being carried out of the lock-up. The boat just kept coming, and coming, and coming; it's so long! The feeling of anticipation was heightened when the pros got into the boat to practice and promptly rolled over and out the other side for an unexpected dip. A couple of them hadn't been in the K4 before, so whilst they got used to the balance and steering, Ellie and I paddled in the smaller boats to find our sea legs and get re-accustomed with the balance. Eventually it was time to step into the huge K4, and I hadn't been prepared for how wobbly it would feel with four people trying to keep the boat centred. I spent the race concentrating on following Sam's strokes, and keeping my balance so not to capsize everyone. It felt great working together and gliding along the river. And we didn't fall in! Unlike last week, when I went for a dip almost immediately.

Ellie: The weather today was beautiful. Damselflies sunned themselves on the fronts of our kayaks and ducks quacked by. A perfect day to fall in the River Chelmer; which I duly did - it was quite pleasant. 
We began practicing with Chelmsford Canoe Club last week in wider, more stable kayaks and progressed to slimmer, speedier models today. I found it a challenge to stay in a straight line and zigzagged along during practice; I also found myself dangerously close to capsizing. We tend to go in at the deep end (sorry; terrible pun) and I think the K4 event could be the hardest canoe event that we complete. Thankfully, our coaches were able to keep my kayak balanced as I wobbled about.  The K4 event is about synchronising your strokes with your teammates and I was concentrating very hard on keeping time with Sam in front. I was also conscious that a good team would be able to subconsciously synchronise their bodies too as any irregular leaning could turn your boat over. It was a fascinating lesson in team work!


Big thanks Sam, Mo and Jo for helping us out and trusting us not to capsize you!