Long distance swimmers do well (From Barry And District News)

Long distance swimmers do well

2:20pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

ON FRIDAY, February 22, young members of Barry Amateur Swimming Club took part in the annual long-distance postal swim run by the British Long Distance Swimming Association. Over half of the swimmers in the club took part which is fantastic.

The event takes place throughout the whole of the country for all swimmers of all ages and abilities during January and February, with the aim of seeing how far the swimmers can swim in one hour. The club uses this event as a marker every year to see how the swimmers are improving with their stamina and swimming abilities.

This year, as in the past, they have surpassed themselves, swimming fantastic distances in some cases for such young swimmers. The age for this event is taken from January 1, 2013.

In the boys’ eight and under age group, Ben Ewington improved his previous distance by a massive 39 lengths to swim a total distance of 2,825 metres of the Barry Leisure Centre pool which is 113 lengths. Not far behind was Monty Griffiths, also aged eight, who swam 95 lengths (2,375 metres) and improved on last year’s distance by 11 lengths.

Swimming in the nine year age group, Thomas Pugh improved his distance by 350 metres, swimming 111 lengths (2,775 metres) in the time. Ben Curran, aged nine, swam a total of 2,075 metres (83 lengths) and improved on last year by seven lengths. Swimming for the first time, Joseph Tailby, aged nine, swam a very good distance of 78 lengths (1,950 metres). Also swimming for the first time, having not been long in the club, was nine-year-old Ellis Young, who swam 77 lengths (1,925 metres).

Iestyn Perkins, swimming in the 10-year-old age group, improvedg his distance by 17 lengths by swimming a total of 117 lengths (2,925 metres). Cori Reed, completed 103 lengths (2,575 metres).

Swimming once again, 11- year-old Declan Ewington swam 129 lengths (3,225 metres).

James Hamer, 12, swam an impressive distance of 3,775 metres (151 lengths). Having not been able to swim this event last year, Shaun Bowden, 12, swam a very good distance of 3,600 metres. Samuel Smith, completed 3,000 metres (120 lengths).

Swimming the event for the first time, Alec Czyzynski, managed 2,200 metres.

In the 13 year age group, Jack Parry swam a fantastic distance of 3,725 metres and improved on last year by 19 lengths. Ryan Connor who managed to complete just one length less.

Coach Craig Wheeler showed the swimmers what he could do by swimming the event for the first time and swam a very good 113 lengths (2,825 metres).

In the girls’ eight and under age group, Gwenno Davies, had a very good swim and completed 91 lengths (2,275 metres). Kate Parry produced a fantastic swim and completed 2,250 metres (90 lengths) and improving on her distance of last year by a massive 47 lengths (1,200 metres).

Eight-year-old Lilly Vann, who has not been with the club long and was swimming for the first time in this event, completed a very good distance of 1,950 metres (78 lengths).

In the nine year age group, which was the largest this year, Ellie Ingram swam a fantastic 2,750 metres (110 lengths) and improving on last year by 325 metres. All the other nine-yearold girls were swimming for the first time. Georgia Carr swam a very good total of 103 lengths (2,575 metres). Having only just joined the club, Isobel Stevens completed 94 lengths (2,350 metres). Anna Mears swam a very good distance of 2,000 metres (80 lengths). Emilia Knevett produced a very good swim of 1,950 metres (78 lengths). Also having not been in the club long, Niamh Hunter swam 1,875 metres (75 lengths).

Then not far behind was Katherine Beddoe, who is also new to the club - 1,650 metres (66 lengths).

In the 10 year old age group, Caitlin Williams improved on her last year’s distance by an impressive 26 lengths to complete 108 lengths (2,700 metres).

New to the club and swimming the event for the first time was 10-year-old Pia Sully who swam 82 lengths (2,050 metres).

Twelve-year-old Bethan Williams swam a very good 3,700 metres. Llinos Goodland, 13, having only just recovered from a skiing injury, completed 134 lengths (3,350 metres).

Having yet again the top swim in the club, 15-year-old Georgia Looker completed a fantastic 4,000 metres (160 lengths). Not to be outdone by her sister, Ffion Goodland, 15, swam a very good 3,625 metres (145 lengths). Ffion improved her distance of last year by 75 metres. Menna Jones, 15, completed a very good 115 lengths (2,875 metres).

Claire Perry swam a very impressive 3,700 metres (148 lengths) and improved on her last year’s distance by 100 metres so she might be in with a chance. The club will not find out the result of this countrywide event until July.

Barry Amateur Swimming Club is always looking for new members so, if you would like a trial, please phone Mrs Heulwen Cooper on 01446 733784.