Day 3 – Camp Coffs

 

 

The clouds may have rolled in but they couldn’t dampen the high spirits at Camp Coffs, where  another full day at the pool, the beach and as part of Team Abb has  left some indelible memories. Just riding to and from training is an experience – with Brandon in the bus it’s a singalong to ACDC  while in the car you must face the cutthroat competition of Leanne’s 5 second brain game. The swimmers added another 10km in two tough sessions – including an 800 metre time trial – and Water Warriors were named. These are the athletes the coaches decide have pushed themselves the hardest in a workout from start to finish, going above and beyond with a high level of effort and skill.  Leanne and Brandon awarded WW status on Day 1 to Matt, Claudia, Hayley, Imy and Dutch, and on Day 2, to Tom and Kaea.

After a long morning of exertion, breakfast is one of the most anticipated meals of the day, and Matt and Bec were again a dynamic duo at the barbecue, cooking eggs to order. Much appreciated by the mums! Birthday girl Tash celebrated turning 13  and was serenaded by teammates singing Happy Birthday 13 different times throughout the day – the final chorus during dinner, with candles on a special apple crumble. Thanks to Nicole Dunlop for her beautiful dessert and balloon decorations.

Switching off at Camp Coffs – no phones or electronic  equipment allowed except for a few minutes before bed – has been surprisingly easy. The phone box is chockers – and we don’t think anyone misses what’s in there..! Top marks go to “the big boys” for independent behaviour – they have been spied washing their Team Abb singlets by hand in the sink and then using a hedge for a clothes line!

Winding down with beach stretching and meditation was exactly the preparation needed for Trivia Night, featuring dress ups by all teams, team song performances, and a competition to do the best sketch of Brandon. Now there’s a challenge..

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Day 2 – Camp Coffs

And it’s on…. Team Abb has made a splashy start to camp with a huge first day in the pool, carving through two tough sessions for a total of almost 10km. The swimmers are working extremely hard but there are no complaints – “No Complaino” being the camp motto –  and all are loving the opportunity of training outdoors in such a beautiful setting. It’s hot and sunny – perfect weather for showing off the official Team Abb singlets, as well as brand new training caps in the winning design by Tash – but no one is forgetting to slap on the sunscreen before diving in. That’s become something of a team effort on pool deck, and then again on the beach before monster fitness sessions of pushups, lunges, bounds and ball throws. Check out Lachie, below, performing miracles with his 5 kilo medicine ball. With all the water work and dry land exercising, helping at meal times and getting to the next activity on time, Camp Coffs is a demanding place. People are very tired – tonight it was a very compliant lights out at 9 – but happy. Overheard at bedtime : “I wish I could stay here forever…!”

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Day 1 – Camp Coffs

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Not even an 8 hour train trip up the NSW coast could sap the energy of 29 lively Gold and Silver squad swimmers, who bounced onto the platform at Coffs Harbour ready for a week in the sun. With Coach Brandon at the wheel of the Abbotsleigh bus, the team headed to Emerald Beach Holiday Park, a beach-side oasis complete with kangaroos and some very fancy cabins. First up was a surf – “the water is so clear and so warm!!” – followed by a pizza dinner and Team Abb meeting number one. Some very inventive team names and flag designs eventuated : The Majestic Scaly Pigs (Captains – Matt and Morgan;  Callum, Claudia, Erin, Tash, Maddy and Laura), The Other Team Unknown (Captains – Eleanor and Shaun; Kaea, Emily, Megzy, Jade and Loz), Commando Butterflies (Captains -Rani and Lachie; Katie, Dutch, Olivia, Katie Mc and Imy), Best Ever Team – YO (Captains – Rebecca and Harry; Hayley, Keely, Winona, Georgia and Tom). Stay tuned for the competition that follows! First training session at Coffs Harbour War Memorial Olympic Pool Monday 7AM.IMG_2562

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Day Zero – Camp Coffs

Excitement has built for months, and finally Camp Coffs is here – Gold and Silver squads (with coaches Leanne and Brandon) gathered at Abbotsleigh pool for bag and food drop, ready for departure on January 5. Next stop Coffs Harbour! Looking forward to some sun, surf and super swimming…

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