City swimmers jet to Canaries

A group of Perth-based swimmers left the Scottish rain behind yesterday as they flew to the Canary Islands for a weeklong training camp.

The 17 youngsters from Perth City Swim Club flew from Edinburgh for an intensive week’s warm-weather training at the elite T3 facility in Tenerife.

The group are being led by club head coach Ann Dickson, along with volunteer coaches Ann Hewitt and Lesley McLay, who also doubles as team manager.

The swimmers – aged from 13 upwards – have funded their own trips, but Lesley paid tribute to sponsors and fundraisers who have helped cover coaching costs.

She said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has stepped up to help find funds to support the club in this way.

“Parents, family members, friends and the swimmers themselves have put a lot of work into fundraising and have done a fantastic job.

“On top of that we need to thanks our sponsors at Scottish Water, Kippen Campbell, Campbell Dallas, Perth Honda, Wild Hearth Bakery, and Budgy Smuggler UK for their vital contribution.”

The group’s training will take place in the 50-metre open air pool and they can look forward to temperatures reaching 29C throughout the week.

Each day of the camp they will complete around four hours in the pool.