National swimming coaches Richard Goodwin and Ben Smith have heaped praise on the Island’s young swimmers who took part in the annual Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) Christmas Camp.More than 50 swimmers from the age of eight to 19 took part in the camp which saw several clocking personal best times in a final-day meet.And in addition to receiving instructions on how to better their performances, the swimmers heard a motivational speech from Bermuda’s former world indoor triple champion Brian Wellman.“We were very pleased with the outcome of two weeks of hard work ...” said the two coaches in a press release.“The annual camp combines training sessions in the pool with challenging work outside of the pool. This year we attracted 54 swimmers. Some did half days while others completed the entire programme.“The senior swimmers that participated in the full training camp swam as much as 12,000 metres per day over the 12 days.“On several days we had the help of Dominique Nanette and Baden Cashmore from Apex Physiotherapy taking the swimmers through strength and conditioning training for injury prevention and for strength improvement.“Ashley Desilva from BSADA came and gave the swimmers a presentation on anti-doping and drug free sport that helped to reinforce the goals of BASA. With all the physical work and mental preparation that the athletes went through during the camp it was fitting to finish on Saturday with an end of camp swim meet.“Most of the swimmers were sore and tired after the previous days of challenging work but we experienced some very strong swims that have made us, as national coaches, enthusiastic about what we will see from all levels of swimming in 2013.“There were 41 personal best times swum at the meet with many swimmers hitting two PB’s in the two events that they entered.”Skyler Powell recorded two personal best times and an ‘A’ time in the 200 freestyle which earned a her a place in the BASA swim training squad in 2013.Jack Harvey achieved an ‘A’ time in the 50 backstroke and Jessie Bruton hit two personal bests, both setting age group records in the eight and under group.Goodwin added: “The results from all the swimmers and especially these three shows what happens when you work hard. My choice for junior swimmer of the camp was Skyler Powell and her making the BASA training squad is well deserved.”Smith said: “The senior swimmers had some great races at the meet and it was good to have Benedict Parfit, Andrew Beveridge and Nic Patterson on the Island to race against our swimmers that have been working hard in the local pool over the season.“My choice of senior swimmer of the camp was easy even though she is only 12 years old Maddie (Blue) Moore worked hard throughout the camp and was the only swimmer to participate in the entire programme. Her hard work over the 12 days was rewarded with two personal best swims in the 100 free and 100 back.“Her 100 free swim of 1:01.96 replaces Ashley Yearwood’s 11-12 record and sets her up very well for the upcoming 2013 Carifta Swimming Championships. We are always happy when the swimmers that have been making the sacrifice and putting in the extra effort are rewarded with the improvement in time.”The BASA pool was closed on Monday for resurfacing which will take place throughout this month.It will reopen in February with BASA hoping to see swimmers qualify for the Carifta Games and continue to prepare for the Island Games.For further swimming information, coach Smith can be contacted at 292-1713 or by e-mailing aquatics.basa@logic.bm.