Swimmers from across the North West produced an outstanding series of performances at the Swim England Masters National Championships, held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, from 23–25 October.

A total of 222 clubs competed at the three-day championships, including 30 from the North West Region, with the Region’s swimmers enjoying considerable success in both individual and relay competition.

Collectively, North West swimmers won an impressive 63 individual gold, 43 silver and 37 bronze medals, together with 19 relay golds, four relay silvers and eight relay bronzes.

The championships also saw North West swimmers rewrite the record books with World, European and British records.

Two World Records for Trafford relays

Trafford Metro produced two outstanding World Record-breaking relay performances.

The 100+ Mixed 4×100m Freestyle team of James Simpson, Kathryn Greenslade, Victoria Cunningham and Arran Francis recorded 3:32.90, setting new World, European and British Records.

A second World Record followed from the 160+ Female 4×100m Medley team of Kathryn Greenslade, Mala Rajput-Driver, Louisa Zolkiewski and Helen Sadler, who produced a superb 4:26.03, again breaking the World, European and British Records.

Trafford’s relay strength was evident throughout the championships, with another seven record-breaking performances.

The 100+ Female 4×50m Freestyle team set a British Record of 1:46.17, while the 120+ Male 4×50m Freestyle team recorded a British Record of 1:31.45.

European and British Records were achieved by Trafford’s 120+ Male 4×50m Medley (1:40.06), 120+ Male 4×100m Medley (3:45.53), 120+ Mixed 4×100m Medley (3:57.90) and 160+ Female 4×50m Medley (2:00.39) teams. The 120+ Mixed 4×50m Freestyle team also set a British Record of 1:37.06.

Warrington Masters added to the Region’s relay record haul, with their 240+ Open/Male 4×50m Freestyle team setting a new British Record.

Individual records tumble

North West swimmers also produced a string of exceptional individual performances.

Sophie Casson of the Isle of Man set a new British Record in the Women’s 40–44 years 200m Freestyle, touching in 2:05.11.

Dan Mills of Trafford Metro enjoyed an outstanding championships, breaking both the British and European Records in two freestyle events. Mills recorded 3:57.81 in the 400m Freestyle before setting another European and British mark of 8:18.91 in the 800m Freestyle.

There was a fitting climax to the championships in the final race of the weekend, the Men’s 100m Freestyle on Sunday afternoon.

Arran Francis of Trafford Metro and Dan Briggs of Ashton-under-Lyne went head-to-head in a superb race, with Francis taking victory in 48.54 seconds, setting new European and British Records for his 25-29 years age group.

Remarkably, Briggs also broke the 49-second barrier, recording 48.80 to establish new European and British Records in the 30–34 years age group.

Briggs had already enjoyed record-breaking success in the 50m Freestyle, where his 22.14 established a new 30–34 years British Record.

Jamie Ingram of City of Manchester also enjoyed a superb championships, setting two British Records in the sprint events. Ingram recorded 21.78 in the 50m Freestyle and 23.08 in the 50m Butterfly.

Trafford’s Chris Knight added another British Record in the 400m Individual Medley with an impressive 4:38.30.

Teammate Louisa Zolkiewski rewrote two of her own British Records, recording 1:00.90 in the 100m Butterfly and 1:02.87 in the 100m Backstroke.

A very special first British Record

One of the most memorable performances of the championships came from Helen Jenkins of Southport Swimming Club.

Helen joined Southport Swimming Club an incredible 70 years ago, but despite her many years in the sport had never previously held a British Record.

That changed in Sheffield when she produced 1:44.10 in the 100m Backstroke, setting a new British Record in the 80–84 years age group.

It was a wonderful achievement and an example of the enduring appeal of Masters swimming – providing opportunities to compete, improve and achieve new goals throughout a lifetime in the sport.

Five in a row for Trafford Metro

The championships concluded with another major success for the North West as Trafford Metro were crowned the top club for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year.

Trafford accumulated 625 points, finishing comfortably ahead of second-placed Otter on 482, with Crawley Swimming Club third on 333.

The Trafford squad amassed an extraordinary 95 medals – 50 gold, 26 silver and 19 bronze – during the three days of competition.

Their performances also produced two World Records, nine European Records and 14 British Records, completing another remarkable National Championships for the club.

However, the success in Sheffield extended far beyond one club. With 30 North West clubs represented, 143 individual medals, 31 relay medals and record-breaking performances from swimmers representing clubs across the Region, the championships once again demonstrated the strength, depth and longevity of Masters swimming in the North West.

Trafford Metro Masters coach and NW region President Bob Bolton was on hand to present medals to the victorious record breakers across the Region.

SENW President Bob Bolton & Swim England President Tom Baster and Craig Ward with the otter 120 trophy

Congratulations to every North West swimmer, coach, team manager, official and supporter who contributed to an outstanding three days at Ponds Forge.

For a full itemised list of North West achievements – including Records and Medals – CLICK HERE

To view the official results for this competition – CLICK HERE

If you are interested in getting involved in Masters Swimming – feel free to use our ‘Find a Club Tool’ to contact your closest club:  CLICK HERE