Swim Squad Awards 2024: Most Encouraging & Supportive Athlete
This is a really nice award to read and to write. Full of positivity.
Swimming and triathlon are individual sports, but ‘it takes a village’ to reach those finish lines, as demonstrated here. Athletes have supported each other all year and it’s nice to hear all about that support.
I’ll let the athlete quotes speak for themselves.
Mel
“The person who is most uplifting / motivating / supporting, I think that’s Mel. Marshalling on a bunch of events and cheering absolutely everyone, encouraging lane mates during each session, just a beam of light and positivity.”
“Females in this sport are in such a minority and plenty would (and do) either think it’s not for them and to come from a non-triathlon background, and to complete Roth this year, as well as plenty of other races, is incredible.”
“Mel inspires me to stop being so dramatic and do hard things. The way that she took Roth training and race day completely in her stride was very inspiring.”
“Also going to throw Mel into the mix here, West Lancs Summer Sprint was probably one of my favourite and best performances. On the run course I had unreal support from Mel, shouting and cheering me on each lap. I am only one example of Mel and her support, from what I see she is attending many events either to support or volunteer as well as keeping up with her (and Shane’s) busy race calendar. Thanks Mel.”
Jan
“Jan has been super helpful and welcoming lending advice on open water / sea swimming and inviting me to events.”
“Jan really supported me with my open water swimming.”
Nick
“Coach Nick – during a few months of inconsistency, reminding me that consistency isn’t the past few months, for the experienced triathlete, it’s the years upon years you have built up in triathlon that count.”
“Nick’s dedication. Despite (temporarily) losing his love for swimming he’s there coaching others to be the best they can be. I admire the way he puts others first and gives up his time so they can be better. When I think about a smooth stroke I’m always trying to be a bit more Nick.”
Ian D
“What can we say about Ian. He’s the squad lead, he leads lane one with a calm sense of urgency. He always manages to balance the rest timings for all in the lane, ensuring some of us slower folk get chance to have a breather and the fast ones are still being pushed. He’s a true gent and an amazing swimmer.”
Garry J
“Garry, with so much going on in his personal life, one would forgive him for being wrapped up in his own world. Yet Garry always reaches out to check in and it means so much more than he perhaps realises.”
Jo
“Jo, one of the most incredible women I have ever met, talented, determined, and kind. She is always encouraging and supporting me!”
Jo – an ex-competitive swimmer who grew up at the same club as myself although our paths never really crossed! Hearing about and seeing her journey from a pool swimmer to a triathlete has been amazing and to see her succeed in performance after performance. She’s such a lovely person and very talented swimmer who is probably just as good if not better now as in her competitive swimming days! She along with Sal has encouraged me to push myself in sessions, to challenge myself moving up the lane and assuring me that I can hit certain times and hold them through some ‘strong’ sessions. She also thinks she can convince me to do some open water and that I would find it easier and love it, but we will see, the jury is still out on that one!”
Graham
“Tenchy – what can I say about Tenchy, I could give him any of the awards. Most encouraging, best pose, breakthrough performance, punch the air moment (knocking a massive chunk off Ironman Wales) and all the above done with a massive smile on his face 😀”
“Tenchy – just so encouraging, always motivated, happy to push himself.”
Tenchy – This guy is just a huge pleasure to be around, all the time. He only wants the best for others, and he’s a beacon of kindness. He’s also the most photogenic athlete I’ve ever seen, and I look forward to the photo’s after every event he does.
Chris
“Chris – always ready with a tracker, feel so supported and Chris always has your back”
“Not only is Chris a fab lane buddy, she always takes time to check in on everyone. Armed with her abacus, we try our hardest to listen and do what we’re supposed to, but regularly forget, leaving coach with his head in his hands! “
“Chris is also a true champ. Again full of encouragement and praise and really caring in her approach – the matriach of the fun lane! I was in absolute awe of her long distance events – incredible distances achieved – what stamina she has! She has real issues with hip – we have exchanged stories but she just gets on with it no fuss no complaints.”
“Chris Forber – so often this year, I’ve had moments in the pool where I’ve wanted to give up; cramp, strains, tiredness, (Heart rate!), but Chris is the first person to say don’t stop. She’s Mrs. Motivator, always smiling, always lifting the spirits of the lane and always keeping everyone going. It’s worth saying that she’s a brilliant swimmer too.”
Sara
“Sara is full of encouragement and positivity and very supportive . I love her mindset and her determination she is getting faster and faster and such a great swim style. Inspired by her race schedule and preparation – especially loved her home country event. She is very humble and really quite a heroine in my eyes.”
Shane
“Shane really is the life and soul of particularly North Endurance but increasingly Swim Squad – takes a lot of banter on the chin and has a heart of gold.”
Sallie
“Sallie never fails to give positive attitude and smiles all round!”
“You just can’t beat a Sallie smile, no matter how hard the set you know that she will be there beaming away even while coughing after getting a lungful of wake.”
“I feel this is an unfair category 🤣 there are candidates fit for this wherever you look or whoever you talk to. To narrow it down, I’ll have to say Sallie. In the pool we’re always swimming pretty close and we chat throughout the rest periods, she is always really positive and willing me on to improve. She takes the time to chat about how I can improve through the session. I mentioned to you, Bryan, about not going so hard on the warm-ups. That was mostly Sallie, taking the time to observe and reflect on my swimming. I really appreciated that.”
“Sal – another lane buddy who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. She radiates so much positivity and joy, it’s hard to not find it infectious when you chat to her or see her lovely smiley face. She really has pushed me over the past year to move up the lane and to keep going through some difficult sessions. She’s got an encouraging zest for life, and seeing her do well in different competitions over the past year or so has been great and thoroughly deserved. She’s been so helpful advising me on equipment and multiple different things throughout a session.”
Lisa
“Most encouraging swimmer – other than yourself – has to be Lisa 😁 always a smile on her face as well giving out support.”
“Lisa hasn’t been able to swim nearly as much as she’d like to this year, but when she has, she’s brought joy to the lane. She’s so supportive of others, and encourages them (me) to keep going, even when they want to quit.”
“Lisa – the Leading Light award. Despite facing a really tough year keeping her wonderful graceful, positivity together. Approaching her events with a kindness to herself in recognising she was doing her very best with the time she had to train and prepare and taking enjoyment in just being there. Along with the year-long standard behaviour in being supportive of her squamates and forever thoughtful.”
Gary W
“Gary is one of the nicest people you could meet and a true gent. His encouragement and support is done quietly and naturally with private messages and quiet words.”
“Always has a smile, lovely bloke.”
Tash
“Tash’s top drawer banter keeps me smiling at the hardest of times in the lane. Whether discussing creative, unorthodox squad merch, or ways to delay Bryan from delivering the next set, I regularly struggle holding my breath underwater through laughing. Have a word Bryan, it’s very disruptive.”
Sammie
“Sammie is such a fierce competitor herself, that you would expect her not to give away any of her hard earned trade secrets, but the opposite is true. She is the first person to celebrate any of her peers, and offer support where she can. I’ve stood and watched her offer advice, and share her personal athletic experiences with so many people in the squad. She’s an inspiration not only to the women of the squad, but the men too. She’s had a lot of challenges, but she NEVER gives up, no matter how hard it gets. I think she’s remarkable.”
Kathryn
“Again, another Squaddie who is always so positive and supportive of others, but who has been through the mill with injuries and operations. Yet this year she made her return to the pool, and in no time whatsoever was back swimming like she’s never been away. She only has good things to say about others, and you’d be a fool to mistake her kindness for softness, because she is fiercely determined and a massive inspiration.”
Power Couples
“This for me again is not just one athlete but athletes – in fact three power couples: Mel & Shane for being amazing mates that just know when support is needed and amazing training partners. Matt & Dani who have pushed me in the pool all season and finally Jo & Jon making my IM Wales weekend extra special and for being two amazingly kind people.”
The Three Wise Men
“Ian W, Pete and Nick – always passing on their wisdom to the rest of us. Stories of their races, sharing all their hacks and tricks! They are the three wise men.”
The Cross Mersey Shepherds
“Another year of Lisa and Jo inspiring others to go way beyond their comfort zones and then actually helping (forcing in some cases) them to do so. I know there are a few that feel they would not have done it without their encouragement. You are both utterly wonderful human beings and so so generous of your time and energy in the selfless support of others.”
It Takes A Village
More than 20 athletes were nominated there! I think that shows us that support, encouragement, kindness, thinking of others is embedded throughout the Squad, not limited to one or two individuals.
It takes a village. It takes a Swim Squad village.
Swim Squad Awards 2024: Most Encouraging & Supportive Athlete
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