Pembrokeshire County Swimming held its second open meet over the recent bank holiday weekend. The competition attracted swimmers from as far away as Blackburn, Dawlish, Dinnington, as well as clubs from South, Mid and West Wales.

This year's meet introduced two levels of competition, level one enabling swimmers to achieve National British Qualifying times and level three giving swimmers the opportunity to compete perhaps in their first open meet and by doing so take their first step onto the British rankings, gaining times enabling them to enter higher levels of competitions.

Some swimmers crossed over between the two levels, giving them the opening to swim in events that they would not otherwise have been able to compete in. The competition also gave the chance for the lower level swimmers to observe the performances of level one and by doing so, giving them something to aspire to in the future.

There was a greater number of competitors entered which delighted the organisers as the event is still relatively new within the swimming calendar. However, we have to establish our event to make it even bigger and better in the future. It was a good start with the entries for the level three competition and we received very favourable and supportive comments from the attending clubs, saying what a friendly, well organised event it was and how their swimmers enjoyed taking part.

In the level one event, over the course of the two days there were 112 records broken, while out of 671 swims there were 421 personal best times achieved. We were also delighted to have two swimmers each achieving two national qualifying times in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. They were Carys Thomas, Pembroke and District in the 12 years age group and Abigail Bleach, Nofio Sir Gar, in the 15 and over age group. We wish these swimmers well at the nationals in August.

Some swimmers achieved a record in every event they entered. This shows that the standard of the meet is improving.

As it was the first level three event, it had no records, so all times swum over the weekend became competition best times and set the standard for next year's event. There were 274 swims, with 198 personal best times achieved by the swimmers - an excellent performance by all.

Medals which were sponsored by LNG South Hook and were presented to those swimmers achieving 1st - 3rd places in all events in both levels of the meet.

Best boy award in the level one went to Ross Sutton, Pembroke and District - congratulations to Ross who broke the minute for the first time in the 100m freestyle, swimming a time of 58.94 and taking 4.47 seconds off his entry time.

Best girl in level one went to 10-year-old Talia Merriman, Tenby and District, a young swimmer showing a lot of promise for the future.

Best boy award in the level three was awarded to Brandon Budd-Thomas, Llanelli. The meet gave Brandon the opportunity to enter the event to gain time for his future entries as there were no qualifying times for the nine-year-old boys.

Best level three girls award went to Victoria Crawford, Pembroke and District, another up-and-coming local swimmer.

The best club performance was decided by totalling the points of the level one and level three competitions. Bisley H. Munt and Sons, Jewellers, Haverfordwest, had donated a perpetual shield and this was presented to the winning team, Tenby. Along with the shield, they were given a cup which they keep.

Organisation of the event was by volunteers from the Pembrokeshire member clubs, headed by Ann Adams. On the day of the competition, all officials and volunteers were given shirts to wear, which were sponsored by Ian Smith, Link Taxis, Milford Haven. Our thanks are extended to Ian for his generosity.

The organising committee wish to thank all sponsors who supported the event in any way; it is much appreciated, as without the support, this event would not have been the success it was.

Sponsors were: Pembrokeshire County Council; South Hook LNG Terminal Company LTD; Milford Haven Port Authority; Rhyal Engineering, Milford Haven; Phill Owen Electrics, Haverfordwest; Get stuffed Pizza, Tenby; Birch Utility Services, Haverfordwest; Bush Inn, Robeston Wathen; Tony Allen, Contract Hire, Saundersfoot; Kath James, Short Cutz, Summerhill; Ashmole Accountants, Haverfordwest; Londis Store, St. Thomas Green, Haverfordwest; K. P. Thomas and Son, Oil Distributors, Templeton; Robeston Cross Nurseries, Milford Haven; Town and County Roofing (Pembs Ltd), Penally; Folly Farm Leisure Ltd, Begelly; Ian Smith, Link Taxis, Milford Haven; Ian Smith, Building Company, Milford Haven; Western Power, Haverfordwest; Bisley H. Munt and Sons, Haverfordwest; Haverfordwest Town Council; Pembroke Town Council; Stena Line, Fishguard; Vincent Davies, Haverfordwest; Signum Design, Talbenny; Princes Gate Water, Princes Gate, Narberth; Swallow Tree Gardens, Saundersfoot; Heatherton World of Activities, Tenby; Blue Lagoon Water Park/BlueStone National Park Resort, Narberth; Oakwood Theme Park, Narberth; Torch Theatre, Milford Haven; Tesco Store, Milford Haven; Wynch Lane Doctors Surgery, Haverfordwest; Harfordia House, Haverfordwest; Meyler House, Haverfordwest.

We always value support from the manager and staff of Haverfordwest Leisure Centre and are very thankful for all they do to help us make the meet a success.

We had many firsts this year, not only in the swimming. Trying to lift the profile of the meet, we had Andrew Jenkins Photographers, Swansea, taking photos of the swimming over the two days. The photos are now on the website for those swimmers wanting to view them.

Tees R Us Tenby printes tee-shirts and hoodies with names of all those taking part and also personalising them if required. Alongside them were Swim Supplies from Cornwall selling costumes and swimming accessories to competitors. Ladies from the Pembrokeshire Swimming Squad also ran a stall selling jewellery and second-hand books to parents and grandparents.

All monies made from the running of the meet go back into swimming within the county in various areas, to improve, support and develop the sport in the county for volunteers and swimmers.

Any company or individual who would like to offer sponsorship for the running of the event next year, your support would be more than welcome and you can contact Ann Adams, either by email at [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01646 685956.

Can we take this opportunity to wish those all those Pembrokeshire swimmers who will be taking part in the Age Group and Youth Championships in Sheffield good luck for a successful competition, and also to all those swimmers entering the Swim Wales Summer National Championships.

Swim well, all the very best.

A.A.