The SENW Regional Masters was held at Blackpool Palatine pool on Saturday 22nd February 2025
The SENW Region Masters Championships were a resounding success with record numbers entering with 226 swimmers taking part from 63 clubs, 37 of which were from the Region, we welcomed many swimmers from around the country. The oldest swimmer was 86 years of age Blackpool Aquatics swimmer Keith Leary. There were 717 swims in total giving an average number of swims per person of three.
There were some fantastic swims throughout the day and no fewer than 9 records broken.
The amazing 280+ years ladies relay team from Black Country and Potteries broke the 4×100 Medley British and European records as well as the 4×200 Freestyle British European and World records.
Trafford Metro’s 120+ ladies team broke their own 4x50m freestyle British record. A number of Welsh records also fell to the Nofio Cymru swimmers. In the individual races Jo Beardsworth of Harrogate SC smashed the 60-64 years ladies British and European records for the 1500m freestyle with a time of 19:56.92. Jo’s club mate Karen Graham in the same age group created new British and European records in the 200m and 400m freestyle events with new times of 2:22.61 and 5:03.29 respectively. Judy Pearson of Carlisle Aquatics was another double British and European record breaker with a time of 1:16.54 in the 100m Butterfly which lowered the record she already held and the 200m butterfly was her other record-breaking swim in a time of 2:56.62. Helen Sadler equalled the British record for the 100m freestyle with a time of 63.33s secs.
The top 3 swimmers in each age group received their medals from the Swim England President Janice Whittle and SENW Region president Mark Ralph. There were prizes for top female and male swimmer as well as the top club trophy. Top female was a close competition between Karen Graham and Judith Pearson but Judith just came out on top. Paul Barnard of Trafford Metro won the top male prize for a string of top performances in the 40-44 years which saw him take gold in all 5 of the races he swam which included 100m and 200m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 100m and 400m freestyle. Trafford picked up the top club award.
A special mention of thanks must go to an excellent deck of officials that oversaw proceedings throughout the day.
SENW would like to congratulate all the athletes who took part in the Swim England North West Regional Masters Championships last weekend and a big thank you to the organisers and volunteers that make these events happen.
The results can be found here.
