The new season is well and truly under way, preparatory training is over, and our squads have started travelling to Galas at weekends. So far, well done to all our swimmers who took part the Munster Minor and Senior Schools Gala on the 28th and 29th of October in Cork and to everyone who swam in the Munster Short Course Gala on the 4th and 5th of November, also in Cork.  Also, to all our swimmers who were in Tralee yesterday for the Development 2 Meet. Next up are two big Invitational Galas – in Tralee on the 26th of November and Askeaton on the 10th of December.

On the 17th of December we have the big one – “El Grande” – our own annual Christmas Gala! Not too much can be said at this stage, as obviously we are all sworn to secrecy, but the word on the street is that the line-up this year will be spectacular. Fair dues, Samantha.

Another big event on the near horizon is the annual Killarney Rotary Wine & Art Evening in the Malton Hotel on Thursday the 30th of November. Apart from being seriously good craic, Killarney Swimming Club will get a large, meaty, cut out of whatever it can collect from ticket sales so please buy your tickets from Samantha O’Connor or Jim Kennedy as it’s a great way of raising money for the club.

Dry land training will be available through the Aura for club members from the 6th of January and details can be had through squad co-ordinators.

For all of you interested in the 2017 Swim Ireland Congress and Awards, all you will ever need to know can be found here.

A big welcome to our newly qualified level one coaches who will taking up their posts in the coming weeks on poolside as they shadow Cathal, John and Betty to get experience. Please be kind!

A sad goodbye to Leontia and Shane who will be leaving our coaching team – and club – this week. Everyone knows Shane who has been with the club since the beginning both as a swimmer and, more recently, as a coach and it certainly will be a quieter pool without him. No doubt Shane will make a “splash” in whichever career he chooses, and we wish him the very best. Leontia will be sorely missed by us all as she has become an integral part of Killarney Swimming Club over the last three years giving steady, reliable advice to both Committee and swimmers alike and we wish her absolutely every success in the future.  No doubt there will be tears when she takes her last session on Thursday evening!