2008 Open Water Championships and age group competitions incorporating the Essex
Open Water Championships 2008
13 Thurrock Swimmers took part in the East Region Open Water championships at the Whitlingham Outdoor centre in Norwich on a day that was for the best part bright and sunny but with ever present cloud cover overhead, threatening rain, which thankfully held off. Essex clubs were represented from Thurrock, Runnymede, Epping, Colchester and Halstead as well as over 250 swimmers from all over the country, principally the six counties of East, namely, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk and Hertfordshire but with many others swimming from outside the region. Thurrocks own braved the chilly Norfolk
waters whilst temperatures dipped in and out of between 17- 19 degrees C, during the day. With events carefully monitored by organisations such as the Outdoor centre staff, St John Ambulance, Ipswich, Hertfordshire and RAF canoe lifeguard clubs and associations, including the cadets of the 1249 Derham squadron, the swimmers were in very capable hands indeed.
Following the swimmers safety briefing for the men’s 1.5K event, the swimmers entered the water at a little after 10amto the oohs and aarhs of spectators as the biting temperatures of the lake embraced the competitors on entry. After what appeared to be an age for the swimmers, the starting signal accompanied a mad dash to the first buoy. Conor Harrold (Thurrock) took up a great position at the start of the race and eventually the 15 year old finished in the top three overall. Harry Smith (Runnymede) following just off the pace in the early stages took on Harold in the final stages when the Thurrockswimmer veered off course alarmingly nearing the finish line. Harrold (19:34) picked up the pace to beat Smith by a mere .02 of a second! Conor had claimed afterwards that he had been blow off course by the smell of the BBQ stand when questioned about his sense of direction! In the East Region age group placings involving Thurrock swimmers, Conor Harrold was second in the 12-16 age group with silver but also picked up a terrific Bronze coming home third overall in the event. Harrold claimed Silver in the county event to go with his regional gongs, making it his third medal of the day. Thurrocks Thomas Mangan was fourth in the Essex final positions having had a fine swim recorded at 21:12, followed by his twin brother Alex, who recorded a time of 21:54. Whilst the Essexpositions are currently per event with no age group denomination due to the infancy of the activity in the county, the regional event is split into various age bands. The Novice 800m events have 4 bands, 12 year, 13-14 year, 15-16 year and finally a 17+ age group. In the 1.5k, 3K and 5K events, the age bands are expanded to cover 9 age groups, 12-16 years, 17-19 years, 20-24 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years and 60+. The event attracted swimmers from 11 years currently (age was taken at end of year) to 80, with Downham Markets Donald Macfarlane the oldest swimmer on the day at 84.
The girls entered the water shortly after the boys with Abigail Sayer (Thurrock), representing Thurrockand the county. Abigail swam an outstanding race to claim a silver medal in the regional age group championship. Sayer followed home Fenella Foskett from DebenSC, 6 seconds separating the two swimmers. In the Essex
competition, Sayer deservedly took top honours with Charlotte Davis (
Runnymede) a strong second. Because Abigail finished second overall, she picked up her third medal, a silver claiming second place overall in the event.
Taking part in the Men’s 3K Championship, Thurrocks James Mitchell excelled in the 15 year age group. The distance specialist looked solid throughout chasing down Alex Raine from Mid Beds Swim Squad. Mitchell eventually earning a silver medal from the East Region President Mike Rainer in a time of 40:39.69. The Thurrockswimmer thus claimed their another Silver in the EssexCountystandings.
The Thurrockwomen contested their final event in the 800m. Thurrockwas well represented in this competition with 14 year age Keriann Chipperfield and 11 year old Rebecca Hayes. Keriann (11:15.83). swam a determined race to secure a Triple Silver triumph. Silver, in the regional age group event, silver for finishing 2nd in the event overall and silver in the Essexoverall competition. Young Rebecca Hayes from the Thurrock swimming club came home a superb 4th overall (11:24.35), being beaten by City of Peterborough’s Ellen Williams 13-14 age group, on a mere touch, whilst herself just touching out 15-16 year age grouper Jennifer Titterington from Sudbury. However, with Hayes reaching her 12 birthday later in the month, it was a supreme effort from the battling water urchin. Hayes duly claimed the Regional title for the 12 year age group and picked up a Bronze as third placed Essex swimmer behind her peer, Chipperfield. Another Essexswimmer, Amelia (Amy) Hatfield, another Thurrockstarlet, swam a time of 11:38.55 in the 15-16 year age group but her overall top ten placing and fourth place in the Essexcompetition was a decent return for a very decent swim.
ThurrockMen contested the 800m event with equal success and determination. Represented by three Thurrock swimmers the trio of Jason Daniels 15-16 age group, Thomas Ford 15-16 age group and tough guy Charlie Hard 13-14 year age group. Daniels was outstanding as he swam to the Regional and EssexTitles in a time of 10:24.91. The brave Thomas Ford nursing a badly bruised hand swam with a special cast but produced a terrific swim to record a time of 10.46.96. Ford eventually collecting triple medal Silver success as Regional age group runner up, a Bronze for finishing 3rd overall and Essex overall silver medalist. Young Charlie Hard finished a deserved Double Bronze medalist. Hard completely unfazed by the biting temperatures, certainly proved Hard by name and Hard by nature. The Thurrockswimmer finished in a time of 12:28.70.
Thurrock Swimming club chief coach and Essex president elect, Alex Morgan was delighted by the day’s success as was Husband and fellow Thurrockcoach Gary Couchwho also represents club and county on the EssexCommittee. With Paul Hayes the third club member and coach assisting in the Essex county presentations to Alex Morgan, representing club and county in his capacity, all three commented on a tremendously enjoyable day and competition and the hope that the event would entice more Thurrock swimmers to compete in 2009. ThurrockSCswimmers were an absolute credit on the day.
