“BRATs at Bittell!”  Tauny's piece for the sailing club autumn newsletter aka "Bittell Banter"

After swift and efficient negotiations with Robin Brown, Chris Pack, Stuart Howe (and a “watertight” contract courtesy of Tim Jobson), some 20 intrepid members of the Birmingham Running and Triathlon Club (the “BRATs”)  took to the still waters of Bittell Reservoir on Thursday 10^th May 2007.  We had a great time – slightly chilly, but with the anticipation of hot showers, it was all worth it.  And the showers were great, hot, clean…but, as it turned out, a “once-a-season” offer (interestingly, the lack of hot water didn’t deter some of the more hardy triathletes from taking a “refreshing” shower at the club after each swim for the rest of the season).

Following the successful trial, and with the blessing of not only Barnt Green Sailing Club but also Nigel Gough (from the fishing club) and Natural England (who issued a licence for swimming), more and more BRATs took to the waters every week.  Previously we had spent our summers swimming training at “Swampy” (also known as Swan Pool in Sandwell Valley Park), changing in the car park and wiping the goose muck from our eyes after swimming, so Bittell Reservoir seemed like paradise – marvellously scenic, clean and private – and with club facilities thrown in!  We initially relied heavily on a few “ready – made” lifeguards and power boat operators (thanks to Megan Davies and her brother Huw, Jorge Mascaro, and John Johnson), but then Caroline Whitehouse trained up a few more BRATs (Dave Garner, Stu Westwood, Mark Attwood and Geoff Mann) and we managed to cover all the safety aspects of using Bittell Reservoir for our open water swimming training.

As the season blossomed, the numbers swimming at Bittell grew and the race results started to come rolling in.  What a season it was!!  Many BRATs put in superb performances, including Bittell regulars like Jon and Ellen Tune (first ironman triathlons finished at Zurich), Megan Shields and Robin Biles (interesting and excellent performances at Alpe d Huez triathlon and Hellvellyn triathlon), Steve Titmarsh, Steve Faulkner and Paddy Allaway (at the Bala triathlon).  BRAT teams also did well at the National Club Relays, winning the open women’s event and coming second in the male super vets category.  There were 3 BRATs who were crowned national age group champions (Tim Easter, Loretta Sollars and Ann-Marie Bathmaker) and 13 BRATs who represented GB at the World Age Group Championships at Hamburg.  Mark Hirsch, another Bittell regular, not only was second in his age group at the World Champs, but also won the national British Triathlon Federation award for the best male age group triathlete of the year 2007.  Duncan Hough was voted national BTF Official of the Year”, the BRATclub was awarded Regional Triathlon Club of the year, and regular Bittell swimming BRAT members were also awarded regional Volunteer of the year (Geoff Mann) and Coach of the year (Andy Teagle), Of course, the BRAT performance of the season undoubtedly went to Chrissie Wellington, who, in her first season as a professional triathlete, became the first Brit to win the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii!!

Many thanks go to Megan Shields for organising the BRATs and all at Barnt Green Sailing Club who supported the BRATs during the season.  Special mention goes to Fred and Lisa Rollins for their organisation and cooking at the wonderful end of season party in the clubhouse, and, of course, their somersaulting dog.  Finally, we will definitely get Chris Pack swimming in Bittell next year – rather than sailing on it!

Tauny Southwood