WITH temperatures in the UK dipping and the dark nights drawing in, a group of Chester swimmers headed to sunnier climes.
The 15 members of the City of Chester Swimming Club joined chief coach Stewart Clamp for five days of intensive warm weather training in Tunisia.
Based at a complex in Nabeul, which is about 30 miles down the coast from Tunis, the swimmers trained in an open-air 50m pool.
Clamp explained: 'Many major international competitions are now held in outdoor pools and the camp gave the swimmers the opportunity to experience these conditions firsthand.'
The swimmers trained in the pool from 7-9am and again from 4-6pm. Land training was also on the agenda and was occasionally held on the nearby beach.
Funds for the trip were raised by parents who worked very hard with the swimmers, organising bagpacking sessions at supermarkets, quizzes and sponsored swims. The club covered the cost of the coach and chaperone and they were helped out by sponsor Alvin Connor of Natural Balance, whose Liverpool-based firm produces natural toiletries.
Clamp added: 'The swimmers were ambassadors for their families and the club and trained extremely hard, surprising themselves with how well they performed in such a different environment.'
