Five 15 years and over Chard and District Club swimmers qualified and competed at the recent ASA South West Regional Youth Championships held at the 50 metre pool at Plymouth Life Centre, writes Hannah Pullinger.

Numbers of swimmers and events were unfortunately down on usual because of impending exams for several of our swimmers, and also due to illness.

To compete at these Championships swimmers have to achieve the required qualifying times in each event, and this enables them to compete against the top swimmers in the South West of England. Swimmers select events to enter from those they have qualified in. All the Chard team swam well achieving several personal best times.

Hannah Pullinger, 18, swam in the 50m breaststroke, and 100m freestyle events, Tessa Down, 17, competed in 50m and 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley and made finals for her age group in both the breaststroke events.

Melissa Hanson, 16, competed in 200m individual medley and 400m freestyle, Joe Spurway, 16, swam the 200m individual medley and the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, and Jamie Pullinger, 15, competed in the 50m backstroke. During the weekend the swimmers were able to watch top swimmers from the region in action such as the Plymouth based Olympic gold medallist Ruta Mellatuite in action.

Thanks must go to head coach June Turner for giving up her bank holiday weekend to support our swimmers.

For more information about Chard and District Swimming Club visit their web-site chardswimming.org.uk