Cayman swim visitors, Liam Tancock, Caitin McClatchey (pictured) , Joe Roebuck, Amy Smith and Emma Hollis travelled to London yesterday to meet The Queen. An official reception for all British Olympians and Paralympians was held at Buckingham Palace. A wonderful day was had by all..

A recently published report highlights the fact that 40%-60% of 11yr olds in the UK are unable to swim 25m. As part of the CIASA Strategic Plan the target is 100% of 11yr olds and 60% of the total population of Cayman to be able to swim 25m by 2020. To read a brief review click here http://www.swimming.org/asa/ and to read the full report click here http://www.swimming.org/assets/uploads/library/Learning_the_Lesson_The_Future_of_School_Swimming_2013_Census.pdf Get Swimming!

Enjoy this archive footage of Duncan Armstrong winning the 200m freestyle at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Think Coach Lawrie Lawrence is enjoying the moment! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVW_rzhoe70&feature=youtube_gdata_player Classic!!

Suits used for Open Water Swimming can be different from those sanctioned for Pool Use...BUT...they must still confirm to FINA Rule ie.shall not cover the nec, extend beyond the shoulders or fall below the ankles. Suit that fasten down the back are prohibited" There have been a number of competitors turning up for events in equiipment allowed in triathlon and other sorts ...but not allowed in swimming. For the full ruling see http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_%20content&view=article&id=273:bl-8-%20swimwear&catid=81:by

At the recent CARIFTA Championships we advised the female swimmers to wet their suits prior to the race as this would help the suit "stick" and reduce frontal drag....especially on the dive. Here is a picture of Fancesca Halsall (World Medallist & Olympic Finalist) doing just that. Learn the tricks of the trade... Every little bit helps!

Dave Kelsheimer, former Cayman Coach and now Head Coach of Team Santa Monica, had great success at the recent USA Open Water Trials. Coach Dave, a specialist in Open Water swimming, saw 3 of his swimmers selected for the USA junior team and one selected for the Senior World Championships Team. Congratulations to all and we look forward to welcoming them for the Flowers Swim Week in mid June. Long Swimming.. We Love It!

The Butterfield Sea Swim is almost here and it's all systems go! EXCELLENT coverage in the Cayman Compass today.. http://compasscayman.com/caycompass/2013/05/20/Butterfield-backs-Special-Olympics/. Swim with Special Olympians Join in the fun!

The USA Open Water Nationals, which also served as the World Championship Trials, were reently held of the coast of California. Race Winners were: 10km MEN Alex Meyer 1hr 54mins 58.94 secs WOMEN Christine Jenninings 2hrs 02 mins 14.33 secs http://www.swimvortex.com/jennings-meyer-top-open-water-nationals/ 5km MEN Andrew Gemmell 57mins 22.07 secs WOMEN Hayley Anderson 1hr 00 imins 36.51 secs (both swimmers raced the 10km 2 days earlier and missed making the US Team) http://www.swimvortex.com/gemmell-and-anderson-bounce-back-in-5k/ Wild Swimming... We Love It!

A select group of masters swimmers are preparing to tackle the 10km race at the forthcoming Flowers Swim Week. CIASA Vice President, Michael Lockwood, joined them for a relaxing session.....a 3.5km set at pace....! Good to see Michael leading by example! whooshhh! .

The Portugese 10km Open Water National Championships has been used to select swimmers for Portugese and Great Britain Teams for the forthcoming World Championships. You can see the results and times here http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.fpnatacao.pt/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dportugal%2Bswimming%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D563 It was a tough race (rough conditions and water temperature of 61F) as there are quite a number of swimmers who did not finish!