T-30 Challenge success

The event saw swimmers complete as many lengths as possible in 30 minutes, and in the 75-79 age group Sylvia Clark swam 39 lengths in that time to win gold.

She continued to swim for another half hour, to enter her finish distance in the British Long Distance Swimming Association ‘One Hour Postal Swim’ for which results are still awaited.

There was also gold for Jenny Ball, who in the 70-74 years age group, swam over 57 lengths – a total distance of 1,445m – to win. Fiona Seymour, in the 40-44 years age group, won bronze with a total distance of 1,875m or 75 lengths, while Lindsey Shenton came fifth in the very competitive 50-54 years age group with 1,880m.

Sprint swimmer Kim Holmes (25-29) was pleased with her first 30 minute challenge with 1,650m or 66 lengths, while Tim Matthews (45-49) improved on last year’s swim with 1,550m.

Taking up the challenge for the first time, Hilary Gibbon swam 1,370m (54+ lengths) in the 45-49 years age group while George Watts (25-29) increased his distance from last year by six lengths, completing more than 74 lengths.

Isle of Wight Marlins came 5th in the team T-30 challenge.