In the UK, masters pool competitions take a break over the summer* so open water events offer something to aim for until the autumn race season kicks back into gear.

The open water summer season culminates with Swim England Open Water Masters National Championships, this year taking place on Sunday 1st September at Nene Park, Peterborough. The championships offer 2km, 3km and 5km events for both men and women. Black Country n Potteries swimmer, Anne Turner, had signed up at the last minute to take part in the 3km event.   

It was a sunny, but windy day at Nene Park on 1st September. The venue was brilliant; amazing changing facilities, hot showers, a cafe, and plenty of space for spectating. The atmosphere was a friendly and happy one, and the event was well coordinated with clear race briefings, and plenty of officials and volunteers on hand. There was even race commentary provided by James Gibson – GB Olympian and the coach to several World Champions – which was a really nice touch and made it all feel a bit special.

The weather gods had been having fun in the lead up to Nationals, and water temperatures in the run up to the event ranged from a high of 24C to a low of 18 degrees. FINA Open Water competition rules dictate that when water temperatures are above 20C wetsuits are not permitted, and below they are optional down to 18C. From 16C they become mandatory. In the end, the water temperature was recorded at 19.3 so wetsuits were permitted, and were by far the most popular option.

Anne’s race went well, and she got off cleanly from the start letting the sprinters fight it out and settling in behind. Anne was racing against some good competition, with a World silver medalist among them but felt that a medal wasn’t entirely out of reach. Delivering a well controlled swim, Anne came home convincingly in silver medal position, “I couldn’t have swum that race any better than I did, all I can do is work on getting stronger and faster for next time”. 

*Masters swimming in the UK has two main blocks of competitions; March to June culminating with British Masters LC Championships, and then September to November with SC Nationals taking place at the end of October. These dates sometimes shift around a bit depending on International events such as Worlds and Europeans.

Twelve Black Country n Potteries members completed the Midlands Masters Championships in Rugby. Between them they amassed a total of 22 golds, 12 silvers and 6 bronze medals. On the way they set 12 new County, 3 Midland and 3 new (and extremely prestigious) club relay records. 

On day one BCPM, 200+, 200 metres, Mixed Freestyle Team took championship gold. Sharon Evans, Martyn Finney, Justine Doody and Phil Carpenter set an impressive new club mark of 2.05.12 to become district winners.

Kath Tunnicliffe swam to a new Midlands and County Record mark in the 65+ 200 Backstroke in a time of 3.10.75. 

County record breakers involved Phil Carpenter 50 Breast and 100 IM, Lindsey Gowland 50 Breast and 100 IM, Sharon Evans 100 Fly, Tracy Ellis 200 Back and Richard Woodall 200 Breast. 

Hannah Woodall stretched her horizons with a competent 100 IM and achieved Silver in the 200 Breast. Sharon Evans competed 3 more of her decathlon events in fine style, 100 Fly Bronze, 100 IM Silver and 100 Back Silver.

On the second day of competition, Tony Ward led the 240+ Mens Freestyle relay off to a blistering start in their 200m relay. In the process he set a new 65+, 50m Freestyle, Staffs and Midlands record, with a time of 29.37. The squad also involved Martyn Finney, Richard Woodall and Phil Carpenter. They were matched all the way by Kenilworth Masters. On the final leg Phil managed to edge ahead to claim victory for BCPM. The tables were turned later in the day, when in the Medley relay, Kenilworth took their revenge, in an equally thrilling race. The BCPM lads have the honour of setting new marks for these events in the club relay record table.

Not to be outdone the girls successfully defended both their 200+, 200m Freestyle and Medley relay titles. Gold medal winning teams featured, Anne, Tracy, Justine, Diane, Sharon, Lindsey and Kath.

Lindsey Gowland nailed a new Staffs and Midlands record with a time of 1.10.16 in the 60+, ladies 100m freestyle.

New county record marks were also set by Tracy Ellis 100 breast and 200 IM, and Martyn Finney 200 Fly.

Gold medals also went to Kath Tunnicliffe 100 free, 50 back and 50 fly, Lindsey Gowland 50 Fly, Justine Doody 200 IM and Diane Asbury 200 free. Justine also took Silver in the 100 free and 100 breast, Phil Carpenter, Silver in the 100 free and 50 fly, Martyn Finney, Bronze in the 50 fly and Sharon Evans finished her exhaustive weekend programme with a 200m IM to bag a Bronze medal.

It’s just 12 months since BCPM members swam their first Midlands championship and proudly wore club swim caps for the first time.  Since then BCPM has expanded to include mixed and male relay teams. Success has followed, but as importantly, club members have had a blast! Onwards!

Phil Carpenter continued record breaking form by adding the 55-59 yrs, 100 metres men’s freestyle to his Staffs collection. In the same Gloucester meet, last weekend, he lowered his own 50m freestyle mark to 29.32.

Sharon Evans made her debut swim of the year in fine style with a 5.26.23 time to set a county record in the 400m freestyle, 45-49 yr age group.

Lindsey Gowland completed the 10 eligible swims required for decathlon recognition and catapulted to 4th place in the individual National Women’s Top Ten league. With teammates Emma Heathcock, Anne Turner and Kath Tunnicliffe, the Black Country and Potteries squad have achieved a foothold in the National Women’s Team Top Ten placings. It’s still early in the season, retaining a place anywhere in this prestigious top ten is a major target for 2019……come on girls!

Black Country n Potteries swimmers celebrated their clubs first birthday in splendid fashion in Stafford at the Staffs Masters. (23.3.19) Twelve club representatives brought home 34 individual titles, 6 relay victories and set a remarkable 16 new county records!

Noteworthy performances: Phil Carpenter, 55-59, 6 victories, 5 set new county marks.

Newest recruits: Emma Heathcock, 35-39, 4 wins and a new county record, and Tony Ward, 65-69, 4 wins ALL in new county record times, certainly made their presence known.

Martyn Finney 60-64 considered his day ‘poor’ whilst registering 4 firsts with 2 record breaking swims.

Most heroic swim of the day? Richard Woodall, gave his all on the last leg of the 200+ Men’s Medley Relay.

Ladies feeling left out? Don’t … you blasted it to three relay victories, came up with a 1-2-3 in the 35-39 100 free (Anne, Emma, Hannah), and dominated the 100m Breaststroke with 4 individual winners (Justine, Tracy, Lindsey, Kath)

Phil, Sharon, Justine, Lindsey and Kath travel to Gloucester next Sunday……Go team BCPM!