Going for Gold – Eve makes a triple medal splash at national swimming event!

A young Orkney swimmer – who recently started on the Performance Development Programme (PDP) run through Orkney Islands Council and Sport Scotland - has been making a splash at a national event coming away with three medals – two gold and a bronze.

Eve Wood, 15, from Sandwick, won gold in both the 100 and 50m freestyle events and a bronze in butterfly at the Scottish National Age Group Swimming Championships on 12-16 April held at Aberdeen Aquatics Centre.

It’s been a long time since Orkney had a gold winner on the big screen at the event so for Eve to come away with two is quite an achievement.

On her success, Eve said: “It felt amazing, I only realised I had won the 100 free when the film crew shone the camera at me. I wasn’t really expecting it. I had hoped to do well in the 50 free as I won this at the North District but knew I would have to swim a PB to win. In the heats I already set a new PB, so going into the final I knew I had to do something special. But I dug deep as this was the one I wanted.

“I am very surprised it has been a long time since the last gold at the event, but I am honoured that I got to bring some more to Orkney.

Eve also benefits from the OIC, sportscotland and Stagecoach funded Athlete Travel Award designed to support performance or development athletes from Orkney with their travel and accommodation costs for an agreed training and competition schedule.

Eve, who attended at both Stromness Primary and Academy, learned to swim at Stromness Swimming Pool at a young age through the Learn to Swim programme and achieved her Deepender certificate at the age of five.

A water baby from the outset, Eve began competing when she was around seven at a gala event at the Stromness pool.

As a member of the Orkney Amateur Swimming Club, Eve has trained under various coaches, most recently the Council’s own Inga Burton.

“I train hard and try and take on board all the advice from coaches. Inga has been my coach for just over four years - I joined A squad just after the Easter holidays in Primary six. Before that I had only trained in the Stromness Pool.

“Inga is a fun and fair coach, we are all treated the same no matter what level we swim at, she has been there through all the lows and was there to witness the recent highs as well.”

Eve is no stranger to success, having picked up quite a stash of medals over the years – notably winning five medals at a Scottish Summer meet in 2022, various colours at North District events and Junior Intercounty.

“I also got selected to compete in Ireland at the McCulloch International Meet with Scotland north.”

She has been training hard with the Guernsey Island Games coming up.

“I train about five times a week between Stromness and Picky pools, but I know this is not enough if I want to continue to compete with the girls at this level. Mr preparation ahead of any competition is the same – eat well and sleep well.

“Winning means a great deal - I train hard and I miss out on social events sometimes due to this, so coming away with a medal makes the early mornings worthwhile.

“My short-term goal would be to achieve the final at the Island Games 2023 or get into the top ten. I had hoped to win gold at SNAGS which I have completed, so now I hope to get to the British Championships this summer in Sheffield.

“I would obviously like to be a professional swimmer, but I don’t know if this is accomplishable, I will take each opportunity that comes my way and make the very most of it.”

Inga Burton, Programme Manager - Islands Deal, has been a coach with the OASC for around ten years – and she is now head coach.

She said: “Swimming was my main sport when I was younger.  I swam with Stromness Swimming Club, although I played netball and volleyball as well.

“Kenny McLeod was my coach so I was part of a fantastic era for swimming in Orkney so I know first-hand what can be achieved and I also know the commitment and effort required not just from the swimmers but coaches, volunteers within the club and parents.

“I didn’t quite make national squads like some of my swimming counterparts but was part of Scottish District Squad that competed in England as well as representing Orkney in Junior Inter County and at the Island Games in Aland and Isle of Wight.”

A Squad follow the same training programme based on pool time of around 11 hours per week and a one hour land session.  

“Over the last few years we have introduced individual plans so Eve, along with other swimmers, will set out her goals for different parts of the season and areas she wants to improve and develop.

“The programme is based on a 14-19 week cycle and the focus of sessions will change depending on the time of year and what stage we are at with more endurance work earlier on moving to harder intensity work later in the cycle.

“The swimming year really starts in August and by the end of this year Eve will have been away at probably 15 competitions excluding any home meets/time trials. These are a mix of county, district, national and international.

“Eve’s season goes on well into July this year with the Island Games in Guernsey a key focus and a new competition for her to experience.  I expect/hope that following her results at SNAGS this will open up some opportunities later in the season as well.  

“Ultimately it depends on what Eve wants, as long as she is enjoying her swimming then we will continue to progress her training and look for opportunities for her to experience different competitions and training opportunities for example to help develop her as a swimmer.  

“It’s a learning curve for myself as well so I need to continue to develop myself and our other coaches in the club and encourage others interested in coaching to join.”

Seeing swimmers achieve national recognition for their efforts is hugely rewarding for all the coaches.

Of the recent medal tally, Inga said: “It was amazing and so nice to hear the commentators talking about Orkney and Orcadian swimmers.

“We have watched Eve over the last year participate in competitions and some of these swims have been pretty magic to watch, especially when you don’t expect it. I am not one to study positions and what their chances, as swimmers, are of getting medals so when they do it, it is even more rewarding!

“I don’t think most people will really understand just what it takes to achieve the placing she did, she is competing against swimmers that have far greater access to coaching expertise, training and facilities. Last year Alfie Price also won a silver medal, so it is great to see our swimmers performing at this level.

“The exciting thing as a coach is the fact that Eve is still young and performing at national level with much more potential based on the number of hours/training she is doing compared to others based south.”

It’s not just Eve and the other swimmers who are progressing though…

Inga added: “I am learning as I go to be honest and trying to develop myself at the same time. I suppose in order for the swimmers to improve we as coaches also need to improve.”

The Performance Development Programme is a programme of support given to athletes on the performance pathway which includes physical preparation, performance lifestyle support, nutrition support and physio guidance.