5 GOLDS FOR ISLE OF WIGHT SWIMMERS AT SWIM ENGLAND SOUTH EAST MASTERS

3 masters swimmers from Ryde Swimming Club competed in the 2024 Swim England South East Masters open long course (50m pool) meet at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley. Despite being early in the year after the Christmas break, the best swimmers from clubs across top counties in the South East were competing. The Ryde swimmers performed exceptionally well and, in particular, Island legend Jenny Ball had outstanding results, winning 4 gold medals in her age category (85-89 years) in the 50m, 100m  and 800m freestyle and 50m backstroke, still managing to get very close to her recent times for those events. Kim Holmes (35 to 39 years age group) – who coaches at the club – came away from an excellent start on the 50m Backstroke with a gold medal and a well-deserved silver in the 50m freestyle, both being long course personal best times and which put her in good stead for the Sheffield Nationals towards the end of the year. Matthew Sussmes – having just moved up into the 60-64 age group – was hoping for less competition but faced quality swimmers nevertheless and still came away with bronzes in the 50m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle.