SOME people like to go for a leisurely swim to unwind after a hard day’s work, but one North-east accountant prefers to dive straight in at the deep end.
There’s no slacking when Michael Murray, who works with SBP Accountants and Business Advisors in Fraserburgh, takes to the pool as he uses his time in the water to train for Scottish swimming competitions.
Michael, 41, who has worked with SBP, as a client manager for a year, juggles his energetic training regime around his time in the office.
Michael, who is a member of the Fraserburgh Swimming Club, competes in the 40-44 age group, in the 200 metres sprint, and 25, 50, and 100 metres categories.
To ensure he is in peak physical condition for competitions, Michael trains seven days a week, taking to the pool before and after work, and also visits the gym.
He said: “I used to swim competitively during my youth, but hadn’t competed for around 25 years when I got back into swimming. Initially I started again for pleasure, but a year later I joined the swimming club in Fraserburgh and soon began competing again.”
At a recent competition in Greenock, Michael was extremely proud when he managed to beat his personal best times in the butterfly 50m sprint and front crawl 100m sprint categories.
In the summer, Michael decided to try something different, braving the Scottish weather to take part in the Banff Bay Swim.
The annual open seawater swim sees participants swimming the mile stretch from Banff to Macduff.
Michael and 14 of and his fellow Fraserburgh swimming club members spent three weeks training for the event, and acclimatising themselves to the cold North-east water temperature.
Michael said: “Some people wear wetsuits for the swim, but we decided not to. The water was only 13 degrees and it was absolutely freezing, but I really enjoyed it. I’m already planning my strategy for next year’s swim.”
Even though Michael juggles hectic training sessions around work, he still finds time to help the community through a number of roles. He is the treasurer for Fraserburgh Business Association, chairman of Kessock Park and treasurer for the Sports Trust of Fraserburgh.
“As I work and live in Fraserburgh, I enjoy being heavily involved in helping with community matters. My hobbies and interests help me unwind after my working week.”
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Contact: Donna Ross
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