Swim Wales, South West Region, organised a very successful swim clinic with world champion swimmer, the dolphin boy James Hickman, at Wales National Pool, Swansea on Saturday, January 5. A group of 10 swimmers from the Haverfordwest Swimming Club was selected to participate in the event, along with 30 other swimmers from swim clubs in the South West region. The region includes 28 clubs. The clinic targeted young swimmers whose development is seen as a major priority for Swim Wales. The clinic included pool work, together with dry-side aerobic training and a stimulating talk with question and answer session with James Hickman. James Hickman was the world 200m butterfly champion in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. He was also a Commonwealth 200m butterfly champion in 1998. He held world records in 100m and 200m butterfly from 1998 to 2001. He was a member of the GB Olympic team in 1996, 2000 and 2004. James brought a clutch of his medals to the event, which were a major interest to all the young swimmers. The event was very successful, with all who participated enjoying the day. A lasting memory of the day for the swimmers will be the autographs on their swim kit and Hickman photos. Swim Wales looks forward to these young swimmers achieving in local, regional and national swimming events in the future. Who knows, maybe a future world class swimmer will be from this group.
James Hickman is pictured at the back with (from left, middle) - Todd Watson, Sam Withers, Jordan Thomas, Hollie Thomas, Sion Bevan, Alice Russell-Stretch; (from left, front) - Emyr Taylor, Rhiana Galvin, Kelsey Williams, Liam Fitzpatrick-Smith.
