PHOTO:
Pembrokeshire County Swimming Club
Photograph by Annie Latham

Pembrokeshire County Swimming Club, sponsored by Specsavers in Haverfordwest, as the umbrella Club in the County Aquatics Pathway, achieved their best ever results in the Welsh Age Group Championships held recently at the Welsh National Pool in Cardiff.  
 
The squad competed in 325 races over the four days of the Championships, reaching 136 finals.  From this 12 gold, 9 silver and 26 bronze medals were achieved, where 35% of those swimmers racing in a final got a medal. 
 

Coach Craig was delighted . . .

 
Coupled with 196 of the swimmers improving their personal best times, County Coach Craig Nelson was ecstatic in his praise of the youngsters, stating,
“The squad’s commitment to the training schedules in place certainly reaped dividends.  Our current cohort of swimmers has high motivation to realise their ambitions and the fitness levels are exceptional.  It’s certainly a big achievement when members of our squad compete at a national level and get a medal, and especially in becoming a National Champion.” 
 
Five swimmers, Lotty Whalley, Arabella Hayley, Louisa Twigg, Jonathan Orchard and Dan Davies became National Champions with Dan also finishing 16th in the 400 free, 14th in the 200 IM and 21st in the 200 Free at the ASA British Nationals held in the Olympic Pool, London. 
 
Coach Nelson added:
“These swimmers’ accomplishments are setting the barometer for future success within the squad.  These five young people are the ones every Development Club swimmer aims to emulate and the success of our 18+ girls 400 IM relay team achieving a bronze shows how the enjoyment of swimming stays with the young people into early adulthood.”
 

. . . And Assistant Coach Sam agreed!

 
Assistant County Development Coach Sam Jones was praiseworthy of the wider team who supported the swimmers during the Age Group Championships.
 
 “I’m very grateful for the support of those parents,” he said, “who stepped into roles as Team Manager and Coaches to support both myself and Craig over the four days and to the Pool Deck Technical Officials who ensured the event went off smoothly.  Parents and the swimmers extended family play a huge role in swimming and their continued support is very much appreciated.”
 
The County Performance swimmers tackle two events in May in preparation for the Summer Nationals, participating in the ‘Swim Swansea’ open meet before heading to Plymouth for what is anticipated to be some high quality racing over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.