Nineteen swimmers from Chard and District Swimming Club travelled to Tiverton for the last club competition of the season.

With all the events being sprints, with finals for 50m events, the swimmers had little time to rest between races but still turned in some impressive performances.

Hannah Pullinger, aged just 15-years, won gold in all five of here events swimming through nine different disciplines in under two hours which was quite a challenge in itself!

She was the youngest competitor in the Open Age Group, and, despite the gruelling schedule, even managed personal best times in her last two races; a testimony to how powerful mental determination can be even when you are tired!

Young Hannah’s gold wins came in the 100 IM, 50m free, 50m breast, 50m fly and the 50m back.

Congratulations also to Helen Underwood, aged nine, who was competing in her first open competition, and swam three events gaining personal best times in them all.

There were some other excellent performances. In the Boys section the following excelled (their age cateogry is shown in brackets, and, where there are no events in particular it is for overall performance.) Joss Copeman (9), Henry Taswell (10), Lewis Pearson (11), who was first in the 50m free and 100 IM, and second in both the 50m fly and the 50m back. Ryan Adair (11) was fifth in the 50m fly whilst Charlie Kendall (11) was third in the 50m free, and fourth in both the 50m fly and 50m back. Ben Greenslade (11), Tom Simson (11), Jamie Pullinger (12), who was second in the 100 IM and fourth in the 50m fly, Nathan Roberts (13), second in the 50m back and fifth in both the 50m free and 50m fly, Alex Phillips (14), third in the 50m breast and also fifth in the 50m free and Luke van den Barselaar (15), who was second in the 50m back.

In the Girls section, Helen Underwood (9), India Woodhams (10), Jessica Patch (10)

Abi Bonning (10), who was fifth in the 50m free, Ella Harvey (11), Florence Swan (12)

Lauren van den Barselaar (13), who was second in the 100 IM, fourth in the 50m free, fifth in then 50m fly and sixth in the 50m back. Mollie Simpson (13), was third in the 50m free and also in the 50m breast and fourth in the 50m back whilst Lauren Real (14) was fifth in the 50m free and also in the 50m back and she finished sixth in the 100IM.

If you are interested in competitive swimming the Club is always looking for new members any of age, but particularly 8-9 year olds and those finishing swimming lessons. For more information about Chard & District Swimming Club please visit the web-site www.chardswimming.org