IASC our Leavers Swimming Journey
Four amazing swimmers Madi, Isla, Dylan and Niamh left the club in August and September as they headed to University. We asked them a few questions before they finished. Madi, Dylan and Isla have given us a background to their swimming life with IASC and some good advice. Thought it was fitting to post now the weekend before Club Champs. From what we have heard college and university life is going really well for all Four. Stirling University Swim Team is definitely suiting Madi she recently smashed her 100m Back time by over 4 seconds and I am sure Madi and Isla will be competing at the Edinburgh Short Course Open soon. Hope you all keep swimming!
What age were you when you started swimming in the club?
Madi: 9
Isla: 12 years old when I moved from Swim Western Isles.
Dylan: 9 years old, in November 2015
What is your favourite stroke and distance?
Madi: 50 back or 200 fly
Isla: 50m Breaststroke
Dylan: 100m Butterfly
What do you like best about swimming and being in a club?
Madi: I love doing Inverness relays and getting to be a part of a team
Isla: The friends that you make along the way who have the same ambitions as you do and the constant encouragement to improve in swimming by coaches/peers.
Dylan: My favourite part was all the people I met, many are lifelong friends and I always looked forward to seeing them all every Wednesday
What keeps/would keep you motivated to exercise regularly?
Madi: The fact that training is what is going to help me swim faster
Isla: To stay healthy and to take a break from studies for some enjoyment
Dylan: Competitions, but later on in the swimming club my growing enjoyment in running made me want to keep swimming to help accompany it
When did you first compete at a swimming gala and what are your memories from it?
Madi: Forres mini meet at 9 and I remember it being really loud and I loved that I was cheered on by my team (even though I was DQ in most of my swims )
Isla: Inverness Graded Meet when I was 8 years old. My memories are racing against certain people for the first time who I am still friends with now!
Dylan: I think it was club champs and a memory was doing 100 fly for the first time, I had never done it in training in yet but in the race I did really well. That was when I discovered my favourite event
What is the best part of competing?
Madi: The feeling after you Finish a race or getting to be with friends from other clubs
Isla: Achieving your goals and seeing your hard work in training has paid off
Dylan: The lunchtime breaks walking out the building into the cold nice breeze with my fellow swimmers playing board games/tag and many other activities
What is your favourite Mantra or image that gets you ready to compete?
Madi: Winners never quit and quitters never win
Dylan: Not necessarily, just music is what helps me ready to compete
Do you have a favourite snack/meal that you eat before or during a competition?
Madi: A banana or a homemade flapjack
Isla: I always have a banana before a race
Dylan: Porridge for breakfast, and a McDonalds to celebrate the end of a competition
Do you have a favourite song you listen to before competing and if so what is it?
Madi: Either Shine or Applause
Isla: Bagpipe Jigs by Skippinish! (not everyone’s cup of tea….)
Dylan: I am the Resurrection by the Stone Roses; it puts me in the race mindset with the buildup and chorus
Who is your favourite competitive swimmer and why?
Madi: Kathleen Dawson as she’s just such an inspiration that you are able to come back from an injury and you are able to win if you believe and train hard enough
Isla: Ross Murdoch before he retired as he’s an amazing swimmer and a nice guy.
Dylan: All time Michael Phelps for his 2008 performance, but currently its Leon marchand because he is like a modern Michael Phelps with his domination in the pool
Do you have a favourite swimming memory?
Madi: 2023 Club champs
Isla: Becoming Scottish schools champion in the 50m breaststroke when I was 12 as it was my first national medal and will always be special to me!
Dylan: Winning the 2017 HST medley relay gold, it happened after a DQ in the freestyle relay so we were really happy
Do you do any other sports?
Madi: I did hockey and rugby when in school
Isla: I enjoying running when I don’t swim as much
Dylan: Running and gym work
Do you have any advice for our younger swimmers?
Madi: Your times don’t mean everything, it can still be a good swim even if you don’t PB.
Isla: Enjoy it!
Dylan: Try to be more outgoing than I was when I was younger, it will help you make more friends. I was too shy to speak to other people from 9-13 years old so I didn’t bond as much with people from other clubs like Nairn and Tain
What University/College are you going to and what are you going to study?
Madi: Stirling Uni, History and Professional Education
Isla: University of Edinburgh to study Law
Dylan: Edinburgh Uni to study Chemical Physics
Will you join a University/College swim team or another club and if so will you continue to compete?
Madi: Defo joining the swim team
Isla: Yes!
Dylan: I will do, maybe once a week just to keep at it, but I don’t plan to compete
What are your plans for the future?
Madi: To become a history teacher or a historian when I graduate.
Isla: Have a successful career and see parts of the world I’ve always wanted to see!
Dylan: Keep studying, exercising and meeting new people and staying in touch with old friends
Is there anything else you would like to say to the swimmers?
Madi: Enjoy every second you get in the club, it goes by so fast
Isla: Just keep swimming!
Dylan: I’m gonna miss you all :(
