Gary and Neil Carpenter have brought further National honours back to Clevedon Swimming Club, this time in the Open Water discipline. The last 4 weeks have been very successful for Clevedon's top swimming brothers. Gary has done especially well, he completed the English Channel in a team relay earlier last month and went on a few days later to take 2nd place in the Devon County Championship. The day after the Devon's he won the Somerset County Championship for 5 Kilometres at Newton Cove in Weymouth. The following week Gary represented Somerset for the 3rd consecutive year in the National Age Group Open Water Championship along with his brother Neil. Gary took first place in the 1,750 metre event and Neil bagged 4th place in the 2k race! Both performances helped Somerset to 5th place overall in the County Championship.

The final swim of the open water season took place at Preston Beach in Weymouth. Gary gained 2nd place in the 18 and under 3k Somerset County Championship and a very creditable 3rd place in the Western Counties.

National Champion Gary has been fundraising all season for the Childrens Hospice South West and so far he has raised £18,000. If anyone would like to help him reach his £20,000 target donations to 14 Dial Hill Road would be most welcome.

Graham Feboul