Chloe Hits Six

 

Chloe Jackson, has achieved six County qualifying times at a gala held recently at the UEA when she was apart of the team under the auspices of lead coach Sam Watts.

Her main focus was on  her freestyle where she qualified first for the 400m  The Norwich High School student swam sixteen length of the pool to achieve a time of 6:24.67 finishing in fifth place. In the 200m, she just finished ahead of fellow Viking Jess Seamark by just over a second, completing the course in 2:51.18. and subsequently qualified in the 100m in 1:15.63.

After achieving a hat-trick of freestyle qualifiers she demonstrated  her all round swimming ability by competing in the the 200m Individual Medley. An event where swimmers  do all of the four strokes in one race. Miss Jackson aged fourteen, who has only recently moved over to the club, made no mistakes and subsequently hit the pad in 3:15.75. She then adapted quickly from middle distance to sprints and rounded off her programme with two successful  butterfly sprints  In the 50m she qualified in 41.87 – narrowly missing out on a bronze medal and in the 100m  she went 1:35.35 to complete the six

Chloe, who trains three times a week and makes a  twenty seven  miles round trip from Hellesdon to the Victory Pool in North Walsham  said

“ I have found that Vikings are a very welcoming club and I want to do well for them”

Twin brothers, George and Zak Edridge from Tunstead .have also qualified ; whilst club captain Rebecca Burrows took a Bronze medal in the same qualifying gala. The three swimmers all attend Broadland High School.

Zak qualified in the 50m Breastroke when he swam against his brother.  Zak recorded 49.71,  just  ahead of George, who on this occasion George, agonisingly missed the qualifying time by just 0.66 seconds . Both Vikings were locked together again in the 100m when Zak finished ahead of George for a second time but the score board revealed a slightly wider margin between the two twelve year olds  with Zak on 1:46.59 and George on 1:48 25. respectively –  both of whom bagged County qualifying times in this event   However it was the 200m freestyle  where George gained his second qualifying time in 3:00.98 which resulted in the brothers gaining two qualifying times apiece.

Rebecca, from Rackheath was the only Viking to medal at the gala. achieving a bronze  in the 200m Breaststroke  with her 3:24.07. Ironically her time does not qualify her for the County Championships. However. Its been a positive time for fourteen year old Rebecca as she has rejuvenated her enthusiasm for swimming by joining the Vikings  and afterwards  said

“I am delighted to have got my first medal at a gala with a new goal to gain county times next year. I would like to thank everyone at Vikings especially my coach Sam for helping me to get my love of  swimming back.

Ashley Jones swam well when he qualified for the 50m freestyle in 30.83 and was supported by Emily Breighten, Jess Seamark and Masie Fagan who, although did not qualify this time, made a good account of them selves by swimming for Vikings.

Katy’s Midas Touch At Gala

Ruby & Katy

 Katy Coleman and Ruby Tracey are the latest to qualify for the County Championships when Katy won a hat-trick of gold medals and a silver. Ruby achieved two bronze medals at the same, final qualifying gala at the UEA. just before Christmas.

In the 100m butterfly Katy came back from behind as at the first 25m she was in fourth position. Demonstrating diligence and tenacity  she was in first place at the final turn. However she was pushed all  the way over the final 25m by Millie Harris of Wisbeach  but Katy was not going to relinquish the lead she had fought so hard for;  finishing a split second ahead in 1:12.38. to take the gold.

Her second gold came in the 100m freestyle when she ironically defeated a field of 100 with her 1:04.31 and then in the 50m freestyle it was gold again in 29.16. defeating no fewer than 131 swimmers. However, Katy was still not done, because she got a silver in the 50m butterfly with  32.37.

Meanwhile, Ruby was in contention all the way in the100 backstroke. Her nonchalant tumble turns  were dexterously timed on either side which made all the difference for her to take the  bronze medal in 1:15.84.  Consistency was a key component again In her 100m breastroke when she did the last three 25m each in 22 seconds on her way to her second bronze medal in 1:26.59

John Holden

 

 

 

Record Entries For Club Championships

The Club had a record number of entries at their annual club championships held at the Victory Pool in North Walsham when seniors, Leah Harris won no fewer than seven events and Harry Hudson won six but it was in the development and Junior sections which caught the imagination of the spectators 

The under 9 years 50m freestyle saw Lilly Dear easily won the event on 44.37 with the consolation places going to Alice Dickerty and Edith Hopkins.  In the corresponding boys’ event Toby Corfield had his first win of the championships when he came in on 45.78. Toby later triumphed again this time in the 50 backstroke. However, he was pushed hard  by Reuben Seaman but just managed to hold on to first place in 51.12 in an exciting finger tip finish over Reuben’s 51.62.  Reuben himself also went onto be a double winner in the 50m butterfly (59.43) and 100 Individual Medley in 1:59.58 respectively.

In the 12/13 Individual Medleys  Rosie Dickerty  surprised a very strong line up when she made the freestyle leg of the race count touching the wall first in 1.34.37 as only four seconds separated her from, Romilly Hammond, Emily Morton and  Emily Beighton. However In the boys’ event the opposite happened as  there was clear daylight between  Isaac Buchan,  Archie Haughan-Zelos,  William Coop, and brothers George and Zak Edridge.  Isaac was easily the winner in 1:24.85. 

Esme Seaman and Rebecca Burrows showed all what an exciting prospects they are. Esme won won seven events and Rebecca  five. Esme enjoyed her 200m Individual Medley best of all because” I had never done it before” and the 200m breaststroke gave Rebecca the most satisfaction “as I got to pace it well.” They claimed their first places in 3:34.60 and 3:30.75 respectively.

There were determined contributions  from all  squad swimmers. Caelan and Sean Godden, Bailee Beighton, Razvan Platton. Jack Rochester, Eve Bates, Clara Farrow, Isla Davies, Rosa Sadler, Amy-Rose Thomas, Jess Seamark, Michael Sayer, Ruby Tracey, Isak Hamilton, Noah Buchan, Toby Davison Ashley Jones, Masie Fagan, Ella Haughan-Zelos, Georgina Beardshaw, Winnie Browne and club Captain Katy Colman;  all of whom gave their best, whilst some  won events in their age group category and helped made the championships the success it was – John Holden

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1. Photo – Helpers & Officials

2. Teams get ready for the relay.

3  Heat 2 of the 100m Individual Medley

Sam goes under sixty.

Head coach Sam fulfilled his ambition to go under a minute for 100m freestyle when he competed at the English National Master Championship in Sheffield. Although he came seventeenth he touched the pad in 59.66 over 100m freestyle. After the race the veteran swimmer said:-

“I was very pleased to go under 60 seconds which I hadn’t done for many years.”

Ironically he was better placed In the 200 freestyle in 2:11.48  finishing seventh.  but by far his best  swim, according to Sam, was the 400m freestyle placing when he was just outside a bronze medal with 4.46.32 – four seconds faster than his time in Scotland.

John Holden

Silver Linings For Harry and Sophie

Harry Hudson was on top form again for the club when he claimed four silver medals and broke another 30 seconds at the UEA. in a competition promoted by Diss Otters Swimming Club when clubs attended from all parts of the Eastern Region.
The sixteen year old from Stalham – who has already gone under 30 seconds in the 50 freestyle in July – went under 30 again in 29 seconds exactly: this time over 50m butterfly but was just thwarted by James Crossfield of Deben as only 0.85 separated the pair. Harry later went on to win his heat in the 50m backstroke but just missed another thirty seconds with his 30.97. and just 0.42 agonisingly outside gold to Joe Flowers of St Felix School who swam faster in a different heat However, he came back strongly In the 100m butterfly to achieve his third silver medal in 1.07.05, when he was runner up to Cornelis Verdonk of Newmarket who touched in 1:05.99. To complete his quartet of silvers, he came second in the 100m backstroke two seconds adrift to Joe Flowers in 1:09.22.
Sophie Mckee made the most of the opportunity and proved what an adroit swimmer she is by claiming second place in the 15 years backstroke against stiff opposition with 1:16.02 and then later joined fellow Viking Ruby Tracey from North Walsham in the 100m freestyle coming seventh in 1:06.89 from Ruby’s ninth in 1:08.41. Ruby’s highest position was the 100m breaststroke when she finished in sixth place in 1:26.36 – her best stroke.
Intermediates William Coop, and Masie Fagan both from North Walsham demonstrated their appetite for the sport in their respective age groups, both swimmers did three events. William admitted that his best race was his 50m freestyle and it was epitomised in his technique when he went over the distance in 33.80 finishing fifth. Masie, meanwhile made no mistakes when the North Walsham High School student completed the 200m freestyle as one of the braver Vikings coming tenth in 3:03.41. Rebecca Burrows was simply excellent in her 200m freestyle when on the last length, the 14 year old from Rackheath demonstrated an almost perfect unilateral breathing technique to take her strongly to the finish in 2:51.95 to finish seventh.
In the under 13 years 50m freestyle the time margins were faster than blinking when Viking trio Rebecca Burrows, Emily Beighton and Emily Morton seemed to touch the pad together but the electronic timing separated, them all with Rebecca on 36.05 finishing in 16 place with Beighton on 36.83 just 0.05 ahead of Morton respectively although under swimming laws, they were both awarded 18 place as the margin was so slender.
Swim twins George and Zak Edridge excelled in both the 100m freestyle and breastsroke respectively with George getting the slight upper hand on his brother. George was fluent especially on the freestyle when he recorded a 1:25.52 and in the breastsroke finished one place ahead of his brother in 1:36.23, both of whom were below their entry time displaying a significant improvement from both brothers.
Esme Seaman, aged 11 and her younger brother Reuben aged 9, swam in no fewer than seven events between them. Esme, looked determined and demonstrated her improved fitness when she came thirteenth with her 50m 51.28 over 50m butterfly. Graduating from the development squad, Reuben came second over 50m breaststroke in his heat and surprisingly did very well to finish in 1:06.49 coming eighth. Reuben also excelled in the 50m freestyle in 48.17 and he was joined in the same race by fellow Viking, Bailee Beighton who scored 49.24 with both boys coming ninth in their respective age group categories. A distinct improvement from the pair.
New member, 10 year old Winnie Browne made her debut with the Vikings with both 50m freestyle (42.67 -sixth) and 50m backstroke (53.72 – fifth)) respectively.
Vikings achieved forty one personal bests and eight county qualifying times – congratulations to them all!
John Holden
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Photo – Ruby Tracey, Harry Hudson & Sophie McKee
Photo – Only split seconds separated L – R Emily Morton, Emily Beighton & Rebecca Brooks
Photo – Winnie Browne who made her debut for the club.

Gala Opportunity For New Members

 Membership has recently sored in our junior section, Therefore, Beeston Hall School kindly offered Vikings an opportunity to either compete for the very first time or a chance of a little more race practice in a friendly match against their school team. No fewer than thirty one swimmers took part as distances were contested over both 20m and 40m in front of a large gathering of appreciative parents and spectators. 

There were some exciting races and close finishes and one event event was decided by two tenths of a second whilst both teams scored points on either side of the lane lines However when the final tally was revealed Beeston Hall School ended up worthy winners.

At the conclusion,  Mrs Cresswell from Beeston school said

“For many this was their first chance to race against children outside of their school and they enjoyed the opportunity and rose to the challenge. Vikings put on an excellent display with some brilliant swims and we had a number of nail biting finishes.”

and our Chairperson Sarah Buchan, replied with 

“Our junior section has been developing well  lately and it was pleasing to see them reaping their reward for all their hard work they have put in over the summer months and thanks  to Beeston for their hospitality and friendly rivalry.”

 John Holden

Representing Vikings were L to R

Photo 1 The team  L to R Clara Farrow  Lilly Dear, Reuben Seaman,, Alice Dickety, Amiyah Haws, Isobelle Chaplin Evie Bates, Baillie Breighton, Isla Davies Toby Corfield, Georgia Lee, George & Zak Edridge.

 

 

 

Sam clinches a gold but still wants to swim faster.

Sam our lead coach  lead by example by competing himself in the Scottish National Short Course Masters & Senior Age Group  Championship and what a competition  he had! The event took place at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre Glasgow , under the auspices of Swim Scotland and  swam three events in the 35-39 masters age group category.This was Sam’s first competition in over two years.

His best result by far was his 200m freestyle in which he came first in a time of 2.12.72 – a full two seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Sam was also runner up in the 400m freestyle. scoring 4.50.73 but explained that it was a hard fought race.

“This was a tough race for two reasons. I had done the 100m only 20 minutes before this race and its never easy to use two different energy systems in two very different races.” However, after he swam the 100m, Sam had very mixed emotions and although he came sixth he was, on the other hand, happy for now  to record his second best time ever of 1.00.51 He now wants to go on and break a minute over the distance. “I know that I’m capable of it and I will have another chance when I compete again in October” added Sam. 

John Holden

My first open water swim

The event was part of my mums Ironman distance triathlon and was held at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrpont, Nottingham. I was swimming with lots of adults and older children. When I was going up to the start the weather was quite cold but they said the water was warm and they didn’t lie, the temperature was very warm, like getting into a bath. When we started you had the option to dive or sit and slide in, I dived off the side in to the dark green water.

I could just about see my hand as it entered the water. It was cold at the beginning but got so warm. I had to swim 1.2 miles, the water was very choppy. The big orange buoys were difficult to see, but I looked forward every 6-8 strokes and this kept me going in a straight line. The whole time I was thinking about how I was going to feel great after the swim. It was hard work and tiring however, I felt awesome and refreshed and I would do it again and I will. I was so happy to come second in the under 16 age group, I never knew I could swim that fast for so long. I would encourage others to do an open water swim if they get the chance, it is a great experience and one that I will do again.

July 2021

 

 

The Club got their first taste of competition for a long while at the “Midsomer Madness” competition held at the UEA promoted by the City of Norwich Swimming Club and under the auspices of Swim England’s Covid Regulations which meant no spectators were allowed. A pity, as they would have seen Vikings enter 72 individual races, resulting in 61 best times and 16 top three finishes.
Noah Buchan of Beeston Regis, won the 100m freestyle in 1:22.29.ahead of his Viking team mate, Michael Sayer from Holt who went 1:26.45. However, this was not enough for the two ten year olds respectively as they both made more trips onto the podium. Noah was runner up in the 50 metre freestyle with his 38.87 and a third place in 54.64 over 50 metres breaststroke. Meanwhile, Michael was a runner up again this time in the 50metre backstroke scoring 43.05
Esme Seaman, 11, was very brave to attempt the 200 Individual Medley long course. Esme finished in a creditable 10 place but with an outstanding twenty-two seconds improvement ahead of her entered time, subsequently hitting the pad in 4:15.0. In the seniors, Harry Hudson 15, from Stalham, broke a minute in the 100m freestyle in 58.71 finishing fifth, and later went onto break 30 seconds in the 50m with 26.52 respectively. Harry finished fourth after facing fierce competition in both races
Full credit and thanks for representing the club to our other members who took part, Ruby Tracy, Sophie McKee, Masie Fagan, Jimmy Margree, Jess Seamark, Isaac Buchan, Chloe Jackson, Izak Hamilton, brothers George and Zak Edridge and the leadership of our club captain Katy Coleman. At the conclusion our Lead Coach Sam Watts said
“I’m really pleased with everything we did over the weekend. Let’s keep this up and keep working hard.”
John Holden

 

Vikings Trio Rise To Challenge

North Norfolk Viking Swimmers, Romilly Hammond, aged 13 Isaac Buchan 12 and his younger brother Noah,10 “swam the channel” in a relay tandem swim in Beeston Hall School pool, where all three attend; raising money for much needed club funds. The trio took the plunge as early as 7am and finished at 7-05pm covering the 22 miles distance channel swimmers have to complete between England and France. They were supported by fellow club members who also swam with them at various stages. Club Captain Katy Colman, Michael Sayer, Amiyah Hawes, masters Mark Claxton, Julie Coleman Sarah Buchan Spike Buchan and Lead coach Sam Watts, who also did a stint in the pool. At the conclusion he said:
“ This is the first real club event for us since the lock downs began and It brought the club together. I would like to congratulate Romilly, Isaac and Noah for their endeavour especially as they had to battle against the cold and rain and thanks to all the supporters and helpers who came along to cheer them on.”

 

 

 

 

The North Walsham Community Shop have providing us with a new training clock. This will benefit every swimmer who attends club training at the Victory. The advantage of this clock it is portable, meaning it can be place anywhere in the pool to benefit the different squads starting at different ends in addition to the permanent clock already fixed. At the hand over of the clock, Annie Abbs and Veronica Cooke, trustees of the Community Shop said:
We are really pleased to provide this training clock which will help the Viking swimmers. Our funds come entirely from the sale of public donations and this is just the sort of project that our volunteer-run charity exists to help” Club Captain, Katy Coleman replied with
“On behalf of all the swimmers, I just wanted to simply say ‘thank you’ to the Community Shop for the clock. This will be a great advantage to us all in our training for which we are all truly grateful.” as she received the clock on behalf of the Vikings.

John Holden