New Territories Primary School Swimming Competition

This year was Arthur's last year at the primary schools competition as he moves on up to secondary school next term.   Despite breaking the Islands District 50m record in 2014 and 2015, the elusive New Territories record remained just out of his reach.   Matthew on the other hand has two more years to beat his brother's records. 

Here they are with the New Territories regional combined points trophy for fourth place (just squeezed out of third by one point)   Not bad for a very small district with only 12 schools when competing against other districts with 50 or more schools to select a team from.

 

This video is the 50m final, Arthur is in lane 2.   A great race but with less than 0.5 seconds between 3rd and 5th places, I reckon for the next big competition he needs to let his nails grow longer.  

50m Freestyle winners (Arthur 4th)

4 x 50m Freestyle winners (3rd place)

Districts' combined points winners  (4th place)

Well done boys and well done Islands' District too.

Holiday time

First in five years.  Mmmmmmmm.

And where are these likely lads off to I wonder?   To sit in the shade, I don't think so.

Arthur impersonates Ray Clemence

Happy birthday Arthur.

 That's a mighty fine pair of oven mitts!

Down in the dumps

The big fellah's got appendicitis.  Get well soon Arthur.  No fun without your smile.

Parent's bragging rights apply. Well done boys

A whole heap of medals won.    Well done boys.   Swimming, football, duathlon, athletics and fin swimming.   One Hong Kong record broken for swimming and three medals when racing for Hong Kong too.  Big smiles from Mum and Dad.

Fin Swimming - last competition for 2014shn

The Silvery Sharks Fin Swimming Club had a great final competition of the year with some great races and lots of medals being won.   Some of the younger swimmers really showed how much their fitness has improved and have the medals to show for it but Arthur and Matthew learned some very tough lessons.

1. Count your laps carefully and do not stop too early, (Matthew 400m)

2. Make sure you touch the timing board when you finish or your time keeps on rolling. (Arthur 400m)

Arthur had seven races in all some of which he was competing two age groups high than his age. He won gold in the 100m and knocked 4 seconds off his China time.   The jury is out on that one though.  Some great swimming by Ivan and LD and the little water flea, Kaa Fai all of whom slowly wore Arthur down in the 200m mono fin race to push him out of the medals.    Kara fair literally streaked ahead to win gold, followed by Ivan and LD then Arthur.   Well done boys, it was one of the most exiting races to watch and you all deserve your medals.    

Matthew missed a clear place in the 400m (see lesson 2 above).  He was five seconds clear and swam like a demon to catch up but did not quite make it. He earned a bronze for his efforts in the 200m though and a gold for the 4 x 50m relay.

HK Triathlon Association - The boys' first dabble in the realms of cyclists with pointy hats

No day of rest for the boys this Sunday.  Both Matthew and Arthur made their first forays into the murky secretive world of triathlon, albeit this was without the cycling part!    Wearing their cheap trainers, swimmers and an old school running the vest the boys were hob knowing with the skin suited kids who preferred to wear their race number on a special gadget belt and lace their swanky running shoes with toggles stolen from a a parka hood.   The boys did splendidly, both came out of the swimming pool in second place, pushed / wedged their feet into all ready tied trainers, threw on their vests and set off on the run.   Unused to running for anything other than a departing bus, they soon fell backwards but nevertheless they had fun.   

Next on the agenda was Arthur's 3000m open water swim in Deep Water Bay in preparation / selection for the 2014 Hong Kong Invitational, international fin swimming competition in December.     Despite the water looking clean and clear he swam the distance and came out with a fine coating of oil and slime.   Not ideal but his hair has a great shine!   Not sure when we find out if he has made the cut for the Hong Kong team but if not he will be swimming a parallel race in the local races anyhow.

Before that though he has the last pool race meet in December to contend with too.

Islands District, Inter Schools Athletics

 

Chucking the ball competition.   Gold last year, for Arthur but fourth this year thanks to the participation of the cricket fanatics no doubt!

Look out Mr. Bolt

Arthur (second from right) and his school pals celebrate their win in the Island District school athletics competitions.   Well done boys.

Lantau Buffalos - Mini Rugby

Their first training day with the new club strip.

Aye Aye Captain

Arthur had his first taste of life on the ocean waves today. Well in actuality he only got to climb aboard a yacht that was firmly tied to a large mooring buoy but tells me it was one of the best day's of his life so far and for a lad who regularly throws up in taxis, buses and on board ferries that takes some recognising. Oddly too he suffered no ill effects what so ever and was happy to roam about below in the cabin where it was pretty stuffy considering the outside temperature and the lack of any breeze. No matter he enjoyed the experience and that is all that matters. many thanks to Kieren for the day and get well soon chum! (He will understand). Now was I supposed to leave that stop cock open or closed?