The programme of events and qualifying times for the 2017 swimming championships have now been published.
Use these links for all the latest information:
Feature
Frank Clewlow honoured at national SOUK Awards
Frank Clewlow was honoured the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Sports Officials UK (SOUK) National Officiating Awards on the 26 October 2016.
The award was presented to Frank for his involvement in diving at all levels.
Frank has been involved in the Southampton Diving Academy and the South East Region for many years.
Read the full story here.
Farnham SC’s Richard Allen scoops silver in World Aquathlon U 23 Champs
The flat and fast course comprises of a 2.5km opening run, 1km swim and then a second 2.5km run. The run course took place around the FONATUR Marina, with the one-lap swim in the crystal clear waters of the Marina Sea.
In the men’s U23 race GB’s Richard Allen took silver behind Turkey’s Jonas Schomburg ahead of Leong Tim Law (HKG) who took bronze.
You can find out more about the event here.
Jane Davies installed as President
Jane Davies, well known to many swimmers, officials and club administrators, as a referee and go to person for all things swimming has been installed as the Region’s President for 2016 / 17.
Jane takes over from Mike Lambert and hopes to visit as many county and regional competitions as possible during her year.
Safeguarding & Protecting Children & Time to Listen Course – 25th September, Berkshire
ASA South East Region are running a scUK Safeguarding & Protecting Children course and Time to Listen course on 25th September at Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Safeguarding & Protecting Children – 9.30am – 12.30pm
Time to Listen – 1.30pm – 4.30pm
The Time to Listen course is free of charge, the Safeguarding & Protecting Children course will be £30 per candidate. Clubs can also apply for bursaries against this course if they are eligible to do so (CPD Bursary Scheme 2016/17). If you would like to book a space on either of these courses please contact bryony.gibbs@swimming.org.
Swimsafe Information 2016
Most swimming lessons take place in an indoor pool, so this summer why not give your children the chance to improve their skills at the beach or at a lakeside location?
The ASA, the national governing body for swimming in England, and the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, are providing a unique opportunity for all 7-14 year olds.
This summer they have the chance to take part in a fun, practical, interactive swimming session at beach and lakeside locations across the country – and learn all about how to stay safe.
Each 40 minute session is completely FREE and includes safety advice provided by RNLI lifeguards and up to 30 minutes in-water tuition with ASA accredited swimming teachers.
Fenella Beach and Peel Lifeboat Station,
Isle of Man
8 August – 12 August
Millerground / Rayrigg Meadow, Windermere 25 July – 13 August (except Sundays)
Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, Caernarfon,
North Wales
15 July – 17 July
Rother Valley, Sheffield 23 July – 24 July
Sandbanks and Shore Road, Poole
30 July – 18 August (except Fridays)
Sandhaven Beach, South Shields
3 August – 20 August (Wednesday – Saturday only) Scarborough Lifeboat Station, South Bay,
Scarborough
15 August – 19 August
St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey 7 August – 12 August
Summerleaze Beach / Sea Pool, Bude
26 July – 25 August (Tuesday – Thursday only)
Tinside Lido, Plymouth
Every Friday 29 July – 26 August
Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, South Wales
28, 29 July and 12 – 14 August
Visit swimming.org/swimsafe to book your place, or at any venue on the day.
Children must be able to swim at least 25 metres to take part.
Parents or carers must be present during the session.
Synchro and Open water recognised in Birthday Honours
Jenny Gray MBE (Reading Royals SC) and Sally Anne Minty-Gravett MBE (Jersey Long Distance SC) are recognised in the Birthday Honours 2016.
Guildford City take Arena League
South East Region had a fantastic weekend with three of our clubs in action at the National Final of the Arena League.
In one of the most exciting and closest finals ever Guildford City claimed victory over the mighty Plymouth Leander’s breaking their long strangle hold on the event.
Guildford are now the Champions of both the Senior and Junior Arena Leagues which is a double first for us and a first in the history of the League.
Thanet SC finished the A final in a very creditable 6th. Oxford City also found success in the B final by coming in 3rd with Wycombe District taking 6th.
Well done to all swimmers, coaches & parents for all your hard work.
If you missed any of the action you can see the entire competition at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfLIBXRLVpw&feature=youtu.be
Open Water competitions latest
The entry pack for the South East Region Open Water Championships, the Regional Open Water calendar and the Conditions for the 2016 ASA Open Water Championships are now available to download.
This year the first 3 finishers in each age group at the Regional Championships will be eligible for entry to the Age Group National Championships at Rother Valley on 24th July.
Three World Winter Swimming titles for Ellery McGowan
The 10th Winter Swimming World Championships were held from 9th to 12th March in Tyumen, Siberia, Russia, the fifth time that Godalming’s Empress of the Ice has taken part in this biannual competition.
The Russians certainly went to a lot of effort, creating a 10 lane, 25m long pool cut out of the frozen Tura River together with excellent facilities for registration and general socialising in the nearby football stadium complex.
With the air temperature starting around minus 12C in the mornings and creeping up to minus 1C at midday, and water hovering between minus 0.2C and plus 0.3C, these were true cold water swimming conditions. Fears of having to brave Siberian blizzards proved groundless as the swimmers were fortunate enough to have beautiful clear days with bright blue skies and little wind.
Competitors waited for their races in a warm tent near the start, and after the race was over they would grab a hot fruit tea on the way from the pool for the 150m walk back to the changing tent. It was welcoming to visit one of the mobile saunas or the hot tub to warm up and to hand signal pleasantries with other competitors.
Ellery’s first race was on the Wednesday and after seeing her lane fairly heavily covered in “crushed” ice she was pleasantly surprised to take 3rd place as breaststroke is not her forte.
The freestyle races were the following day and this year included the 100m for the first time. This gave Ellery three races – 25, 50 and 100m – from which she won three gold medals. Her forearms and hands were cut by the ice in her first event as the freezing temperatures caused the ice to reform after each “heat”. Swimming three events in one day, having “cut” wrists attended to after each one and warming up took its toll and Ellery was too tired to go to the evening party at the Hot Springs.
Over 1200 swimmers (predominantly Russian) from 42 countries took part and Ellery’s four medals placed her 11th overall in the final medal table, winning the most medals for a swimmer from the United Kingdom. Moreover these three latest titles bring Ellery’s haul to nine World Titles since 2008.
Jane Davies receives Torch Trophy Trust Award
Jane Davies, manager of the ASA Swimming Management Group, was presented with the Torch Trophy Award by Prince Michael of Kent.
The annual Torch Trophy Trust Awards, which were held yesterday (3 March 2016) in London, recognise those who have dedicated themselves to volunteering in grassroots sports with clubs and community initiatives.
Jane was recognised for her ongoing dedication to swimming and her commitment to volunteering at all levels of the sport.
“It is a privilege and an honour to receive this award.” – Jane Davies Jane’s 30-year swimming journey began in 1977 when her daughter started school swimming lessons. The whole family later joined South Hampshire’s Gosport Dolphins Swimming Club in 1982 where Jane took on the role of Membership Secretary and Official.
Over the next 10 years, Jane held a number of positions including Secretary of the Southern Junior League and Swimming Secretary for Hampshire County ASA. In these roles, she re-structured the age-group competition and raised the standard of swimming by bringing in tougher qualification times. Jane also introduced Development Meets to cater for those unable to qualify for the new standards.
Jane later became a member of the Southern Counties Swimming Committee and undertook roles such as Referee, Technical Director and Executive Director. She also officiated at both the Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Now chair of the swim21 South East Region Panel and the President of Portsmouth Northsea Swimming Club, Jane continues to provide vital help and support to clubs in her local area. Through her role as manager of the ASA Swimming Management Group, Jane is also responsible for Speed Swimming, Masters, Para-swimming and Open Water.
Speaking after the Awards ceremony, Jane said: “It is a privilege and an honour to receive this award.
“I am just one of many volunteers who give up their time week in and week out to help the sport. I have many colleagues who are equally deserving of this award so I would like to thank the ASA for recognising the work that I have done.
“Volunteering has given me a lot fantastic opportunities and I have made some lifelong friends along the way. I would encourage everybody to get involved with volunteering, not only is it incredibly rewarding but it’s also great fun!”
Steph Elliot, ASA Volunteer Engagement Manager, said: “Jane is a fantastic ambassador for aquatics. She is a hardworking, dedicated volunteer and her contribution to the sport is invaluable.
“Jane is passionate and knowledgeable about swimming and aquatics and is always ready to progress the sport in any way she can. Her warm hearted, honest and open approach makes her a worthy winner of the Torch Trophy Trust Award.”
The Torch Trophy Trust charity has been providing financial support and recognising volunteers across all sports since 1962. The organisations vision was, and still is, to recognise the outstanding achievements of the unsung heroes of sport – volunteers.
- Click here to find out more about the Torch Trophy Trust
- Find out more about to get involved with volunteering on our dedicated Volunteering Hub
