Since the last report, the annual West Wales Regional Championships have been held in February. Also, the Celtic Tri Nations meet has taken place in Swansea, where some of the best swimmers in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, including many internationals and Olympians, were battling it out for the their respective countries.

West Wales Results

There are a wide variety of events and age groups of swimmers competing at the West Wales Championships so, as usual, the competition was held over two weekends, this year between February 6 and 15.

Considering that this has long been considered the premier event for club swimmers in our region, we were a little disappointed that this year only 22 of our swimmers entered one or more races as individuals. However, the numbers were boosted on the club relay day when additional team members travelled to Penlan Leisure Centre to supplement the squad.

Those club members who did enter individual events were as follows: Gemma Amos, Bethan Davie, Gareth Davie, Matt Davie, Daniel Davies, Ffion Davies, Luke Dedoncker, Johnnie Delahunty, Lydia Dilks, Anna Garvey, Olivia Garvey, Andrew James, Jack Lear, Sam Lewis, Talia Merriman, Ben Rees, Safi Rooney, Hannah Saunders, Kiera Slack, Niamh Slack, Sophie Stanford and Ashleigh Willars.

We are delighted to say that many of our swimmers enjoyed some spectacular successes. There were some super swims resulting in numerous podium positions and several new championship records. They deserve recognition, so here is a summary of the individual medals won. In alphabetical order they were:

Bethan Davie (13), 1st 13-14yrs 200m Breaststroke, 1st 13-14yrs 100m Breaststroke, 1st 13-14 yrs 200m Butterfly, 2nd 13-14yrs 100m Butterfly, 2nd 13-14yrs 100m Freestyle, 2nd 13-14yrs 400m IM, 2nd 13-14yrs 200m Freestyle, 3rd 13-14yrs 400m Freestyle, 3rd 13-14yrs 200m IM; Matt Davie (16), 1st 16-17yrs 100m Backstroke, 2nd 16-17yrs 200m Backstroke, 2nd 16-17yr 200m Freestyle, 3rd 16-17yrs 100m Freestyle, 3rd 16-17yrs 100m Breaststroke, 3rd 16-17yrs 400m Freestyle, 3rd 16-17yrs 200m Butterfly; Daniel Davies (10), 3rd 9-11yrs 200m Breaststroke, 3rd 9-11yrs 400m IM, 3rd 9-11yrs 100m Breaststroke; Ffion Davies (9), 1st 9-10yrs 200m Butterfly, 1st 9-10yrs 100m Butterfly, 1st 9-10yrs 200m IM; Johnnie Delahunty (15), 1st 15yrs 50m Freestyle, 2nd 14-15yrs 100m Freestyle, 3rd 14-15yrs 100m Butterfly, 3rd 14-15yrs 200m Freestyle, 3rd 14-15yrs 100m Backstroke; Andrew James (17), 1st 16-17yrs 200m IM, 1st 16-17yrs 200m Breaststroke, 1st 16-17yrs 400m IM, 1st 16-17yrs 200m Freestyle, 1st 16-17yrs 100m Breaststroke, 1st 16-17yrs 400m Freestyle, 2nd 16-17yrs 200m Butterfly, 3rd 16-17yrs 100m Butterfly; Sam Lewis (13), 1st 12-13yrs 100m Freestyle, 3rd 12-13yrs 100m Butterfly, 3rd 12-13yrs 100m Breaststroke; Hannah Saunders (10), 1st 9-10yrs 200m Breaststroke, 1st 9-10yrs 100m Backstroke, 1st 9-10yrs 200m Backstroke, 1st 9-10yrs 100m Breaststroke, 2nd 9-10yrs 400m Freestyle, 3rd 9-10yrs 200m IM, 3rd 9-10yrs 100m Freestyle; Niamh Slack (11), 3rd 11-12yrs 200m Backstroke, 3rd 11-12yrs 100m Butterfly; Sophie Stanford, 1st 17& Over 100m Breaststroke, 1st 17&Over 200m Breaststroke, 2nd 17&Over 100m Freestyle and 2nd 15&Over 50m Freestyle.

We are sure you will agree, a splendid set of results. Particularly well done to the swimmers who were out of age, yet still managed to win medals. This is always a good indicator of talent. As is the norm in galas such as these, the swimmers are trying their all and once again our team members set a whole host of new PB's. To top off some excellent individual swims, the following set championship records: Hannah Saunders, Bethan Davie and Andrew James all set records in both the 100m and 200m Breaststroke for their respective ages. Well done indeed!

The West Wales Championships also include the 'Club Relay' competition which is always eagerly anticipated by the leading clubs in the area. The premier club in the region has for many years been Swim Swansea, and for the past three seasons Tenby have been runners-up to them in the competition. For a small club like ours, this is a fine achievement, but we were keen to try to go one better this year.

As we mentioned earlier, quite a few additional club members travelled up to take part in the relay competition alone, so the poolside was packed with competitors, and the atmosphere was very exciting.

Without going into too much detail, our relay teams acquitted themselves very well, picking up several gold, silver and bronze medals. A variety of teams won the different races, with some being stronger in certain age group categories than others. It was starting to look as if things were going to be tight when the final points totals were declared, but nobody realised just how close it would be.

In the end, Swim Swansea won again, and we are very pleased to report that Tenby were second for the fourth year in succession. However, we so very nearly won! The margin of victory enjoyed by Swim Swansea was just two points, and had one of our teams not suffered a disqualification we would have just pipped them to the post. Anyway, another great result for the club, so well done to all our competing team members. Let's see if we can just make that extra step next time!

Celtic Tri Nations

This competition took place at the Welsh National Pool in Swansea over the weekend of February 20-22, and is the first time Wales has hosted the event since its inception in 2006. It is one of only two competitions where Welsh swimmers can represent their country against other nations, the other being the Commonwealth Games.

Each of the three countries (Ireland, Scotland and Wales) nominate scoring swimmers who actually record points for their respective teams, but this gala was run as an open competition, so there were loads of other competitors to add to the opposition and add to the atmosphere as well. There were visiting clubs from Ireland as well as the Irish national team, and the Scottish team were accompanied by strong representation from the City of Glasgow team. The Welsh were naturally the most numerous as all the Skills and Regional squad swimmers were entered, together with the non-scoring members of the Senior Elite and National Youth squads and other individual entrants.

In our last article, we mentioned that Bethan Davie and Johnnie Delahunty had been selected to swim in the Swim Wales Youth Relay teams. Both acquitted themselves very well. In addition, they competed in one or more individual events and were joined on the Saturday by club members Dan Davies and Swansea-based Andrew James.

Dan set a good PB in the 200m Breaststroke, as did Beth in the 200m Breaststroke and 200m IM. She also won two silver medals in the 12-13yrs 100m and 200m Breaststroke events, behind a very strong swimmer from Ireland. Nice one!

The main competition drew to an exciting conclusion with the Welsh and Scottish teams on a reasonably close points difference. However, as the final session progressed, the Scottish team drew away, despite the Welsh women's team setting a new Welsh record on the way to winning the final relay event.

It was a treat to watch so many top international swimmers competing in Wales, and all in all it was an excellent championship. Many of the swimmers set their own national records, so it was clearly a seriously contested event. We would recommend anyone interested in competitive swimming to try to watch some of it next time around. Especially as it was free admission!

Forthcoming Events

March 7-8: Llanelli Open

March 14-15: WISE International Gala. WNP Swansea.

March 27-29: Tiger Bay Open. Cardiff International Pool. A Level 3 long course event, which means you don't need qualifying times!

April 10-13: Welsh Age Group and Youth Championships. Wales National Pool, Swansea. Entries closed.

May 9-10: Swansea Valley Junior Open Meet. Neath. A good gala for club swimmers. Always a nice atmosphere.

May 16-17: Swim Swansea Long Course Open. WNP Swansea. Good LC meet. Try it if you have the qualifying times.

May 23-24: Pembrokeshire Whitsun Weekender. The inaugural meet at the new pool in Haverfordwest. Can't afford to miss it. No excuses if you have the qualifying or consideration times!

June 6: West Wales Region Junior Development Meet. This competition is designed for swimmers who have not qualified for the Welsh Age Groups. It's a one day event, so make sure you enter!

Club News

Don't forget that we are collecting names of those who are interested in getting a bit more involved in the coaching side of things and want to go on the Assistant Development Coaches course. It takes a couple of days and your correspondent can recommend it as a great introduction into swim coaching. Please ask any of the club officials if you need more information.

Good luck to Bethan Davie who has been selected to represent the Welsh Schools team in the WISE International gala which takes place in Swansea next weekend. She is following on from several other club swimmers who have represented us in the past. The Welsh team will be competing against all of the home countries in this one, hence the WISE acronym (Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England).

The new pool in Haverfordwest is opening imminently. Even if you are not a county squad swimmer, check out the opening times and go along and try it out. We hear that it is a great facility. Don't forget, fee-paying club members are entitled to free public swimming in the county.

A sponsored swim has been organised to raise club funds. Sponsor forms are available on the notice board. Please try to take part.

Finally, we have 17 swimmers entered in the Llanelli Open this weekend. Good luck to all of you.

S.D.