Nairn swimmers make big splash in Aberdeen with team victory
Nairn Synchro made a big splash in their first free routine competition in almost three years as swimmers put in a winning performance to claim the Mary Black Rosebowl in Aberdeen.
It was the first time the club have taken part in free routine competition since November 2019 due to the impact of the pandemic.
Six girls from the club competed in the duet and solo section.
In the solo section, Corin Macdonald was first with her duet partner Anna McGregor coming in second place and Eleanor Fryer taking fourth place.
In the duet section, Macdonald and McGregor claimed first place, with Fryer and her partner Rosa Clark taking fourth place and Freya Charters and Abbie Lee finishing in sixth place.
In the team competition, Nairn amassed enough points to win the Mary Black Rosebowl beating bigger teams from Edinburgh, North Ayrshire and Grangemouth.
The trophy is named after Mary Black, who is now 91 and established synchronised swimming in Scotland in the 1970s.
She was supported by Nairn farmer Alec Coutts, who supplied underwater speakers to help establish the sport 50 years ago.
Coach Wyn Shearer says it was a terrific performance from the girls after an absence in free routine competition for almost three years.
“We worked hard on solo and duet performances which we hoped would be good enough to win and it worked,” says Shearer.
“It was nice for us to bring the trophy back to Nairn.
“It was the first free competition we have taken part in since 2019.
“We did take part in a technical competition back in March where we had to incorporate certain elements into our swim.
“Whereas in the free routine competition, we could do what we liked in the routines and it was lovely take part in.”
Nairn Synchro has 14 swimmers at present, and despite the small squad, they have achieved great success in competitions.
The club are now turning their attention to the Scottish National and Age Group Championship taking place in East Kilbride on Saturday, October 29.
It is the first time the competition is being held since 2019, with clubs competing from across Great Britain.
Nairn will be entering a full compliment of eligible swimmers and will be defending a number of national and age group titles.
Shearer is confident they can replicate their success from previous competitions.
“Our swimmers work hard to prepare for competitions,” she said.
“We will be going to the national championships to defend a number of national titles where clubs from England are also taking part.
“We are defending titles in the seniors, juniors, duets, solo and technical categories.
“When we last took part in national competition in 2019, we did really well.
“We are looking to do well again.”