Teenager Katie Pake from Coaltown of Balgonie is a member of Carnegie Swimming Club and a real prospect in Para swimming. Early on I posted videos of Katie training outdoors during lockdown and more recently she was caught in camera in her back garden plastic pool using resistance bands. This young all action girl is always on the go and always being encouraged and supported by parents Carol and Grant. Katy is a pupil at Auchmuty High School and passionate about football in addition to all her other interests.
Katie’s first love is swimming but she also thoroughly enjoys training in a racing wheelchair. A couple of weeks ago I featured Katie with coach Pamela Robson at her first training session at Pitreavie Athletics Centre. Katie and Pamela were tentative for different reasons. Pamela realised early on that Katie does not hold back and she used resistance bands to keep her safe and under control.
Compare that session with Katie’s most recent training session on the prom at Kirkcaldy. The progress she has made is amazing considering how few sessions she has experienced to date. The wheelchair Katie is using is from DSF stock and not exactly fit for purpose. However this has in no way affected Katie’s commitment to the task in hand. Disability Sport Fife has always encouraged cross training and there are several Paralympians who have spent time in a racing wheelchair with very positive swimming outcomes.
Well done Katie and thank you parents for setting up this short video.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustee