Devonport Royal Swimming Association’s news and other information
The club’s own Championships have taken place over the last four weeks. It was good to see so many new swimmers take up the challenge of competing in a gala. Some long standing records were broken this year, which shows the rate of improvement in our swimmers. Gala one saw Robert Smith set a new 8 and Under 25m Backstroke record in a time of 22.09, the previous record had existed since 2000. Josee LePage followed by setting a new record in the same event in a time of 22.86, the previous record had stood since 1998. Joe Saunders took the 13-14 years 100m backstroke in a time of 1.15.13. Replacing a record that had existed since 1994. Other more recent records that were broken were from Reece Dunn in the 9-10 years 50m Butterfly (47.98.) Andrew Smith, 13-14 years, in the 50m Butterfly (32.99) and Holly Smith in the 11-12 50m Breaststroke (41.56.) There were 105 personal best times recorded in this gala! Gala two continued the record breaking trend with Sam Bowden in the 9-10 years 50m Backstroke (44.95.) The previous record had existed since 2000. Joe Saunders set a new record in the 13-14 years 50m Backstroke in a time of 35.17. Aarron Nicholson recorded a time of 1.58.19 in the 11-12 years, 100m Butterfly. Alongside him Reece Dunn continued his excellent form to take the 9-10 years, 100m Butterfly (2.05.67.) In total, 122, personal best times were recorded in the second gala! Gala three on the 31 October, began with several breaststroke records being re-written. Reece Dunn in the 50m Breaststroke in a time of 48.76. Daniel Bettinson took a new record in the same event for the 15-16 year age group in a time of 36.20. Joe Saunders also took a record in this event with a time of 38.90. Robert Smith took a record in the 8 and under 25m Breaststroke (26.43.) Reece Dunn shattered the 100m Freestyle record in a new time of 1.25.61. He also replaced a long standing 100m IM record (1994) in an outstanding time of 1.37.43, an improvement of 5.50 seconds. Rebecca Ward swam the 100m Backstroke in a time of 1.31.50, a 2.50 second improvement on the previous record. Jodie LePage, also completed the 100m Backstroke in a new record time of 1.16.89. The previous record had stood since 1994. Gala four on the 7 November, saw more records rewritten, Robert Smith and Josee LePage took records in the 25m Butterfly in times of 21.82 and 24.10 respectively. Reece Dunn completed his championships with two more records in the 50m Freestyle (37.68) and 100m Breaststroke 1.52.44. Joe Saunders improved his own record in the 50m Freestyle with a new time of 29.81. Emma Williams (38.73) and Rosie Campbell (37.04,) both took new records in the 50m Backstroke. Many thanks to all the coaches and poolside helpers who made these galas possible. Details of the presentation evening for these galas will follow.