Super Sporty

by Chrissie Perry

  Bec shrugged as she sat down. ‘OK, I guess.’ She sneaked a peek at Hung. She wondered if he was angry with her. Or worse, disappointed in her.

  But his eyes were soft and kind. ‘Racing is tough, isn’t it?’ he said.

  Bec nodded and let out a long wobbly sigh. ‘Everything went wrong.’

  There was a loud splash, followed by laughter from the toddler pool.

  ‘Races are won and lost up here,’ said Hung, tapping the side of his head. ‘Do you know what I mean?’

  Bec scrunched up her nose. Strong starts, fast tumble turns, smooth strokes, she thought. That’s how to win. She shook her head.

  Hung rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘What’s going on in your head,’ he said, ‘can change how you feel in your body.’

  Bec thought about how she had felt before the club races. She had been a whirlwind of thoughts, a jumble of nerves. No wonder she had swam so slowly.

  ‘Nerves aren’t the end of the world,’ smiled Hung. ‘Why don’t we try some exercises to practise calming you down?’

  Bec bit her lip. ‘Really?’ she asked. She wasn’t sure she could really practise not feeling nervous.

  Hung nodded. ‘I’ve done this with lots of squad kids,’ he said. Then he rubbed his hands together. ‘Tell me why you like swimming.’

  ‘Um …’ Bec tilted her head, watching the moving splashes in the lap pool. She thought hard.

  ‘I like the water,’ she said eventually. ‘How it feels to swim through it. It’s a bit like flying.’

  ‘Good. Remember that feeling because it’s always there. Even when you’re racing.’

  Thinking about racing made Bec feel suddenly cold. The water felt so different when she was nervous.

  ‘Can I start laps now?’ Bec asked. She didn’t like missing time in the pool.

  ‘Nope. Now I’d like you to shut your eyes.’

  Bec did what Hung asked. She could hear a faint splish splash blub from the lap swimmers.

  ‘Take a few deep breaths,’ said Hung. ‘In through your nose and out through your mouth.’

  The air smelt like chlorine.

  ‘Now imagine you’re swimming freestyle,’ said Hung. His voice was calm.

  In her mind Bec tried to imagine she was swimming. But she felt silly. Bec opened her eyes.

  ‘Can’t I just swim for real?’ she asked.

  ‘Not yet,’ Hung said seriously.

  Bec sighed and shut her eyes again. She settled into the bench and tried to relax her shoulders.

  She thought about leading the stroke with her elbows, about her fingers trailing the water. She imagined turning her head and breathing every three strokes.

  ‘How does the water feel?’ asked Hung.

  ‘Nice and warm.’

  ‘Yes, the water is nice and warm. And look how fast are you swimming! You are feeling so strong and calm. You are feeling really good about this race.’

  As Bec listened to Hung’s voice, she felt what he was saying come true. I am swimming fast! I feel good. This is my favourite stroke, and my shoulders are so strong …

  By now Bec was breathing in a natural rhythm, holding her breath at the right time in each imaginary stroke.

  She felt calm, but at the same time, excited and energised somehow.

  ‘Great work, Bec,’ said Hung after a while.

  Bec opened her eyes and looked around. She had been so focused, it was like she’d been deep inside her own mind. It was as if she had been in another world.

  ‘Now you can do it for real,’ said Hung, standing up. ‘Off you go.’

  Bec stood up slowly. She could still feel the imaginary strokes in her head as she warmed up.

  Then she headed over to an empty lane and climbed up on the block. She crouched to dive.

  Whoosh!

  In a sudden, welcoming rush, Bec was back in the pool. She could feel the water guide her up to the surface. It was great to be in the water at last!

  But in a weird way, Bec felt like she had been swimming for ages.

  Over the next three weeks, Bec started each class on the bench. It wasn’t too bad. She came to enjoy the calm feeling it gave her.

  Hung made sure she had lots of other things to think about, too. Like racing against the clock, getting her best time ever.

  Two weeks before the state championships, Hung sat with Bec at the beginning of class. The other squad kids had already plopped into the water for training.

  ‘Imagine you’re in a race,’ Hung said.

  When Hung said that, Bec’s heart started to thud, even though she was sitting safely on the bench. She opened her eyes and shook her head.

  ‘Remember your breathing,’ said Hung. ‘In through your nose, out through your mouth.’

  After a few deep breaths, the thudding slowed just slightly.

  ‘Now, imagine you’re racing at the state championships, and you feel good,’ said Hung. ‘You’re excited, Bec! You’re going to enjoy the swim.’

  Bec imagined the feel of the block beneath her bare feet. The sound of the gun clicking.

  I’m excited, Bec told herself firmly. I’m going to have fun. And as she swam her first ever imaginary race, she did!

  ‘Good,’ said Hung, when Bec had opened her eyes. ‘Now tell me. Do you want to do that for real?’

  ‘You mean …’ Bec leant forward on the bench. ‘You mean, do I want to swim at the state championships?’ She felt a flip of excitement in her stomach.

  ‘We need another swimmer for the 100m freestyle relay. That’s your strongest event.’ Hung smiled and stood up. ‘You just did it in your head, didn’t you?’

  He looked across at the lap kids and then up at the clock.

  Bec gulped and took a long, calming breath. Then she nodded at Hung.

  I can do this, she told herself. I’ve already done it in my head. Now I just have to do it for real.

  For the next two weeks, Bec trained harder than ever. Timed laps, practice starts, extra relay drills. Plus, she did lots of imaginary races in her head.

  It was awesome. Bec could hardly believe that she was going to swim at the state championships. Here she was, training for the relay with the other squad girls!

  At their final training session, Hung called everyone together.

  ‘OK, squad, you’ve all done great work.’ Hung put his hands on his hips. ‘I want you to rest up before Sunday. Then swim your hearts out for Fairburn!’

  With the last bit, Hung lifted his arm in the air, shaking a fist. Everyone in the squad copied and cheered.

  Bec hugged her arms around her middle. Swim for Fairburn, she thought, and felt an excited flutter in her stomach. This was so huge! Much bigger than the Fairburn club races.

  As they walked to the change rooms, Holly put her arm around Bec’s shoulders. She was telling Bec about the state swim centre. ‘It’s an awesome pool,’ Holly said excitedly. Then she bit her lip, looking at Bec. ‘Imagine if we both won medals!’

  Bec nodded and smiled at her friend. Her mind was racing. And the flutter in her stomach grew bigger.

  ‘Finished grating that carrot?’ asked Bec’s mum.

  ‘Nearly there!’ sighed Bec.

  Bec was making a carrot cake with her mum. A little bit of healthy and a whole lot of yum. Perfect for a race day party!

  Bec smiled at the brilliant colour as she poured grated carrot over the cake batter. Then she began to mix it. It was easy now that her arms were so strong!

  As Bec stirred, she imagined eating big slices of the cake with her friends. When we’re eating this, Bec thought, the state championships will already be over …

  ‘Tastes good already!’ said Bec out loud as she licked the spoon.

  Her mum slid the cake into the oven and set the timer. ‘I’ll be in the study if you want me,’ she said to Bec.

  Mmmm! Licking the spoon was Bec’s favourite part. It was much better than buying a cake from the shops!

  But when she had finished licking the spoon clean, B
ec looked around the kitchen. She had nothing to do. Nothing except think about tomorrow.

  Bec’s stomach did a sudden, excited flip. Her heart began to beat faster. But Bec knew how to calm her nerves now.

  She sat on the kitchen floor, shut her eyes and focused on her breathing.

  Soon her pounding heart slowed.

  With her eyes still closed, Bec imagined herself swimming in the relay race. She pictured herself standing on the block, waiting for Ruby to touch the wall before she dived in …

  Suddenly Bec’s eyes f lashed open. Something was wrong!

  In her mind, Bec had imagined the Fairburn pool. Her pool. But that wasn’t right. Tomorrow’s race was at the state swim centre!

  Bec squeezed her eyes shut again as her heart began to thump faster.

  How could she imagine herself at the state swim centre? Bec had never even been there! Don’t panic, Bec, she told herself. You can still calm your nerves.

  Bec tried one more time. She imagined swimming the relay in a pretend pool. But her breathing was thin and her stomach felt tight.

  It’s not working, Bec thought as she opened her eyes and looked around. I’m going to mess up the big race!

  ‘Feeling nervous?’ asked Bec’s mum. She looked at Bec, who was sitting at the kitchen table and biting her fingernails.

  Bec nodded, and started biting her bottom lip instead. She was way too nervous to swim well tomorrow. And she couldn’t seem to fix it!

  ‘Ah, Rebecca.’ Her mum patted Bec’s shoulder. ‘Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, honey. It’s only your second big race.’

  Bec stopped biting her lip long enough to nod. She knew her mum was right.

  But it was hard not to get swept up in it all – racing against kids from all over the state, everyone so keen to win a medal. Especially Holly.

  Bec really wanted to win a medal, too. That’s why she got so worried about racing!

  ‘Anyway, Holly sent you an email,’ said Bec’s mum. ‘Maybe that will cheer you up?’

  ‘Really?’ Bec stood up. She had swapped email addresses with Holly ages ago, but they didn’t email that much. They were too busy swimming together!

  In the study Bec sat down and clicked to open the email.

  ‘CHECK OUT THE NAILS!!!!!!!!!’ Holly had typed, and then below that was a link.

  ‘Oh dear. Another fingernail painter,’ said Bec’s mum, looking over her shoulder at the screen.

  Bec couldn’t help smiling. Even though tomorrow was huge for Holly as well, her friend still hadn’t forgotten her.

  Bec clicked on the link, which opened up an article about the blonde swimmer who painted her nails. There was a picture of her holding up her hands. This time the swimmer’s nails were stripy – red, white and blue.

  ‘Goodness!’ laughed Bec’s mum, groaning.

  Bec smiled as she started reading the article. She knew all about sore muscles after training, and working hard to perfect every stroke. It made Bec realise how much she had learnt since joining squad.

  She had come a long way since her first class. It made her feel a little calmer inside.

  Her mum patted Bec’s knee. ‘Feeling any better, honey?’

  Bec nodded. She was still nervous about the relay. But that didn’t matter quite so much anymore. After all, racing wasn’t all she did at squad.

  Bec settled a bit deeper in her chair. No matter what happened, she still had a party to look forward to tomorrow. Plus, she’d get to swim in an amazing new pool.

  She felt lucky to be part of it all.

  The race pool at the state swim centre was awesome … and huge! Flags hung above the bright blue water, and black ropes separated the lanes. Bec couldn’t believe she’d get to swim in there soon!

  The complex was crowded. Bec felt very small among it all. But she was excited, too. Just think about the fun parts, she kept reminding herself as she got changed with the rest of the squad in the crowded change rooms.

  As Bec swam her warm-up laps, she tried to just think about her technique and the feel of the water.

  Her heart was beating fast, but Bec didn’t let that bother her. She just thought about the rhythm as she swam.

  Right until it was time to march out for the big race, Bec managed to stay focused and calm.

  As her team marched out, Bec kept her eyes on the back of Ruby’s red cap.

  ‘Fairburn Swim Club!’ called the announcer.

  The crowd cheered and clapped, and Bec took her eyes off the back of Ruby’s cap. She scanned the colour and movement in the stands. So many faces! There were lots of banners and posters, too.

  ‘Go Gordo!’

  ‘Leisingham Swim Club rocks!’

  Bec had never seen so many people in one place! Her throat felt dry. She wasn’t even sure where her parents were sitting, and she didn’t know where Hung was.

  For a moment, Bec felt panic rise up in her chest.

  But I don’t want to feel like that now, she told herself. Not anymore! Bec focused on her breathing. She didn’t let herself look at the crowd.

  Instead, she kept her eyes on the pool. The water was empty, but not quite still. Little waves lapped gently at the edges. The pool seemed to be waiting – ready to help Bec swim.

  By now Bec’s heart had slowed a little. She stood tall and sucked in a clear breath of air. Bec was ready to swim for Fairburn.

  The centre fell quiet. All eyes were watching the girls on their blocks. The scene looked like a photo – frozen still.

  BANG!

  With the sound of the gun, the crowd roared to life.

  ‘Go Faaaaairburn!’

  But Bec wasn’t thinking about the crowd. She kept her eyes on the pool, watching Ruby swim the first leg. She was racing seven other relay swimmers.

  As her friend pounded down the pool, Bec took her place on the block. She could feel her heart thumping – racing inside her, ready to swim.

  Soon Ruby did her tumble turn and was swimming back towards Bec. From where Bec was, it looked like Ruby was coming third.

  In the lane next to Bec, the first swimmer hit the end of the pool and the number two relay swimmer dived in.

  Further away, another swimmer had also dived in with a splash.

  Bec leant forward, her heart pounding. Waiting. The muscles in her thighs were tight.

  As soon as Ruby’s hand touched the wall, Bec pushed off the block.

  Whoosh! In a rush of bubbles Bec dived into the water. She was kicking strongly, feeling the water guide her up to the surface. She started into her stroke.

  As she took her first breath, she scanned the lanes beside her. Then Bec decided not to worry about where the other swimmers were. She would keep her mind on each stroke.

  Don’t think about it, Bec told herself as she pushed herself even harder. Just swim it, girl!

  At the end of the day, Bec and the other squad girls crammed into a corner of the busy change rooms. There wasn’t much room for a race day party! But no-one seemed to mind.

  ‘I lurrve carrot cake!’ said Ruby with her mouth full. She had a white smudge of icing on her cheek.

  Bec giggled. Already half of the carrot cake was gone, and no-one had touched the jam roll bought from a shop!

  She scooped up some creamy icing from her slice of cake and sucked her finger happily.

  It had been a massive day. The nerves, the excitement of racing, then the thrill of cheering Holly in her backstroke race.

  After all that, it felt good to settle in with her friends. Bec had barely found time to talk to Holly all day.

  She looked across at her friend and smiled. They both wore the same bronze medals around their necks – for coming third in the relay! Holly also had a gold medal around her neck for winning the backstroke race. Bec was so happy for her friend.

  Holly winked at Bec as she took another big bite of her cake. With a little smile, Bec glanced down at her medal.

  Then she looked up at Holly again. With almost perfect timing,
the two girls lifted their hands and twinkled their fingernails at each other.

  They had mirror image stripy nails in Fairburn club colours – red and yellow!

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Lola kicked off her school shoes and lay back on the couch. There was a major hole in one of her socks. She poked two toes through the gap, and gave them a wiggle.

  As Lola flicked on the TV, the song from Neighbours bounced around the lounge room.

  Just then, Will kicked his way into the room.

  ‘Hi-ya!’ he yelled as he karate-chopped Lola’s mermaid statue off the table. Luckily it didn’t break. Lola picked it up and tried to squeeze it up with all the other statues and photos on the mantelpiece, but there was no room. She had to put it back on the table. With Will around, that was definitely a worry.

  ‘Sorry about that Lola. Did you make that statue?’ Will asked.

  ‘Yes, I made it in art,’ Lola said.

  ‘It’s really good,’ Will offered. ‘All your statues are pretty cool.’

  Lola smiled. Will could be very nice sometimes. But he was also very noisy. She turned up the volume of the TV and settled back into the couch.

  ‘Do you actually watch Neighbours?’ Will asked as he crouched on his knees in the armchair next to the couch. Lola noticed that his nostrils were flared like he was annoyed. One of his eyebrows was raised so high that it looked like it was going to jump off his face.

  Lola pulled the sock back over her toes so that Will couldn’t see the hole. ‘Yeah,’ she said quietly.

  Will dropped a foot onto the ground and started tapping the floorboards. ‘It’s a bit lame, don’t you think?’ he asked. ‘Like, as if your neighbours are going to be your best friends.’