Club Champs – new records, first-time swimmers and too much sugar!

WHETHER they were one of our younger swimmers diving in to competition for the first time or one of our more established competitors knocking club records out of the water, all the children at the Club Champs seemed to be having a ball.

At times perhaps a bit too much of a ball – a sugar rush brought on by the consumption of doughnuts and cake generously donated by a couple of swimmers celebrating birthdays over the weekend of the championships did lead to what can only be described as a “party atmosphere” poolside. Nevertheless, the racing never stopped as PB’s were smashed and even a club record (or two) fell. Notable was 11-year-old Evie Warwick, who broke the 13-year-old 50m free record for her age group set by Hannah McCarthy – who went on to swim at the Commonwealth Games. Fingers crossed for Evie that she could be heading in the same direction….

There may be more new records so please let me know if you want to shout about your swimming child!

Resting between races at the Club Champs

But even for those swimmers not breaking records there was plenty of fun to be had. Particularly cute was the very youngest swimmers who were competing for the first time. Speaking to one or two parents afterwards this was a much-appreciated opportunity for their children to try out a competition in a familiar and friendly venue.

Overall the two days of the Champs were a great success and whether the swimmers will be picking up medals or not at the Club Presentation Evening early next year (watch this space), most children appeared to come away happy.

Next up: Arena League Round Three (Saturday 8 December), 33m Sprint event (Thursday 20 December) and then a much-needed Christmas break before the Bristol Open Meet followed closely by the Counties….Make sure you all get some rest, it’s going to be a busy start to 2019!