Some of the youngest and some of the more mature swimmers in the club were in action over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

The youngsters were in action in the latest Four Seasons gala and had a lot of problems with availability due to the holiday. They also had problems with the officials, receiving no points in 3 events due to disqualifications. All of the disqualifications were due to illegal backstroke turns, which will give the coaches plenty to work on over the next few weeks. Clevedon ended up in fifth place on the night behind Backwell, Burnham, Bishopsworth, and Bristol Henleaze, but this disguised some fine performances on the night.

Iona Thomas, Matthew Bray, Rebecca Parsons and Tom Jones won individual races. Members of winning relay teams were: Samuel Hodge (2), Peter Kearsley (2), Patrick Riddell (2), Cieran Sutor (2), Callum Greenwood (2), Luke Gardiner (2), Christopher Warren, Simeon Howlett (2) and William Mathias.

Personal Bests were gained by: Amy Butler, Jamie Capern, Olivia Coombes, Jack De Viell, Megan Finnie, Emily Harden, Samuel Hodge, Benjamin Howlett, William Instance, Tom Jones (2), William Mathias, Holly McGovern, Matthew Mills, Rebecca Parsons (2), Cieran Sutor, Iona Thomas, Benjamin Waygood and Holly Youde.

Polly Tucker performed over and above the call of duty by swimming in 6 races to cover for absent team mates.

Meanwhile, over at Millfield, the fastest swimmers in the club were competing in the Western Counties Youth Championships. This is the premier event for swimmers in the West of England and only the best gain qualifying times. Clevedon had five swimmers involved and all performed creditably. Steve Bowen qualified for 6 events, but due to illness could swim in only 2. Despite being under the weather, he obtained 2 PB's and came 12th in the 200m Backstroke. Hayley Burston swam in the 100m Backstroke, Jenni Gilbert set a PB in the same event. Ellena Ibal also achieved 6 qualifying times and set a PB in the 50m Back where she finished 15th. She went under 30 secs for the 50m Freestyle to finish 16th, despite not feeling 100% all weekend. Megan Prideaux had 4 qualifying times, but was also unwell and finished lower down, in the 3 events she completed, than would normally be the case.

Graham Feboul
Press Officer