IISSAC Swimming Report

34 swimmers- one common goal- to claim first prize- something that has evaded us for 5 years. Hopes were high and swimmers had been training (well most of them!) for months. Could we do it?

28 Gold medals, 19 Silver and 22 Bronze medals later it was with baited breathe we awaited final confirmation….we waited…..we waited…..and unfortunately at the end of the meet we could wait no longer as our chariots were ready and we had to rush to Semarang post haste to catch the flight back to Bali.

Fortunately a small contingent of survivors were able to wait behind and the results were read out.

The girls smashed em! Winners by 100 points (equivalent to over 12 extra first places!). The boys were in tough company though, with some of the Bandung swimmers posting outrageously fast times. They stuck to the task though and came in a very credible 2nd place only 40 points behind the eventual boy’s winners Bandung Alliance.

Too many standouts to name them all, but three very impressive swimmers come to mind. Nadia Winkler, Ralisha Woodhouse and Dylan Jones owned their age groups like a boss and every time they dived into the water they came out with a gold medal around their neck- 7 golds each, including being anchor swimmers to bring their age-group relay teams home in first place too.

But this is a team event and every swimmer did their bit supporting one another, claiming medals and behaving as wonderful ambassadors for Bali Island School.

Now it was time for Gandalf Lennan to be scared- his long flowing locks were doomed because Bali was the top school overall and at school on Monday 34 little butchers with the bluntest scissors the world has every seen gave him a hair cut that still scares the pre-schoolers every time he takes them for a PE lesson.

Well done team- many thanks for all the people who put in so much help to make this happen- Ibu Jane, Mr Wilson and Mrs Woods for help with coaching, Regine Winkler and Nicole Gervasi for their work in the background researching flights, hotels, transport options etc- invaluable. Also to Ibu Lea for her patience in booking everything and having to cope with me sending her wrong information…changing dates….changing hotels…and generally being difficult.  To the team in accounts who had to run countless different lists and collect money. To the parents and siblings who came for the ride and established the Bali contingent as being the noisiest supporters on ground.

Finally..and most importantly, thank you to the swimmers- you left nothing behind and gave it your all- you were a credit to the school and behaved impeccably. You did me proud!!

Next year here at school- total domination beckons!

Regards

Mr (bald Gandalf) Lennan