Open meet swims

Successes came in two Masters’ Open meets: the Midland Regional Masters, where Jenny swam for her old Birmingham school, King Edwards Camp Hill, in 9 individual races and relays. Disappointed that there was no competition in her age group, she strived to hold some of her times rather than simply collect gold medals.

The following weekend, Marlins team mates Rosemary Johnson and Jenny swam in Guernsey Masters Open Meet, where Rosemary won a silver and bronze medals in the more competitive 70-74 age group and Jenny again had very little real competition. The weekend concluded with a very brief sea swim in picturesque Cobo Bay where the temperature was a chilly 9.5 degrees centigrade!

Both are now in training for the Great Britain Long Course Championships at the Wales International 50m pool in Swansea in June.

ASA Southeast Region Masters competitions in pool and Open Water have seen further successes for Marlins’ club members this summer.

The regional Open Water Championship Series, held at locations along the south coast, culminated at Southsea last month with Marlins’ chairman, Lindsey Shenton, placing third overall in the 55-59 years age group.

Lindsey had won second place silver medals, at Chichester Lake 3K in 52 min.8 secs. and at Eastbourne 2K but was just pipped to the finish at Southsea Pier to Pier by her friend and rival from Eastbourne.

Jenny Ball was second overall with a silver medal at Chichester, in 67 min. 24 secs., the oldest age group in the series being 65+ years.

Jenny and club member Peter Harding, both 76, then competed at Guildford Spectrum in the Regional Short Course Championships.

Peter won gold in 200 Breaststroke and silver in 200 freestyle.

Jenny swam unopposed in seven evenys but was pleased with recently improved times in 100 and 20m. freestyle:  1.39.73 and 3.39.82 respectively.