MASTERS SWIMMING CLUBS COMPETE AT MARLINS OPEN SWIM MEET

The 23rd Isle of Wight Marlins Masters Open Swim Meet was held on Saturday (3rd February). The meet attracted swimmers from various Masters clubs in the South as well as from the Island. After a busy afternoon of competitive swimming, the Marlins Swimming Club Chairman Peter Clark had the pleasure of presenting the winning awards to: Top female swimmer: Jacqueline Patel representing Spencer Swim Club. Jackie wins a bottle of the iconic IOW Mermaid Gin. Top male swimmer: Jevgenijs Putans representing Bracknell & Wokingham S.C. Jev wins a bottle of iconic IOW Memaid Gin. Top overall club: (23 Clubs represented) were Bracknell & Wokingham S.C. They will hold the Heights Memorial Trophy for the year. Charles Ambler Trophy: (For the swimmer who completed in the most events) was Jevgenijs Putans with 13 events and 11 1sts. The Isle of Wight Marlins Masters swim every Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 07:30 and 08:30 at the Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown. It was a very successful event for Ryde Swimming Club’s Masters team. In the 35- 39 age group, county champion Kim Holmes swam some of her best ever races, achieving personal best times that place her high in SE Regional rankings, winning 3 individual golds and 1 silver. In the 85-89 age group, Jenny Ball performed consistently as always, winning her usual 5 individual golds. Recent returner to competitions, Jacob Jenner, showed others the way home in the  20-24 age group with amazingly fast times and 2 golds and 2 silvers. And family members Imogen Sussmes in the 25-29 age group  and Dad Matthew (60-64  age group) added to the haul with 2 golds and 3 silvers, and 3 golds, respectively. But on top of the individual haul, the relay team of  Jacob, Kim, Matthew and Imogen won  both the freestyle and medley relays in the 120 plus age group , both being incredibly exciting races to watch with nail-biting finishes as the second place teams were close on their heels.

Ryde Swim team hope to field even more swimmers for next year’s event.