A clutch of records were broken at last weekend’s Birthday Open. Congratulations to those swimmers who set new open records – Emily Jelfs (50 free), Justin Langford (50 fly), Grace Rayner (200 breast) and Jack Spence (50 and 100 back). Congratulations also to Aimee Abrey and Bethany Masters for setting new records in the 100 free and 200 breast respectively in the 16-24 age group for the first time for eight years. But they were not alone.
The headlong assault on the girls records for the 15 and 16-24 age groups was maintained with Aimee also setting new records at 100 and 200 back and Lois Moore in the 50 free and 50 back.
Not content to leave it to the youngsters, Jo Lee-Pearce broke her own records in the 50 breaststroke, 200 back and 200 IM in the ladies 25 and over category to be joined by Rachel Barber who set a new record for the ladies 50 fly.
For the boys Josh Gaines added the 100 and 200 back to his existing 50 back record in the 15 year old age group to give him a clean sweep at that stroke. For good measure he also added the 200IM record.
Last but most definitely not least Matthew Rafiq-Craske set a new record for the men’s 25 and over 200 fly bettering the only previously recorded swim at this distance by a master set last year. Will any of the other male masters be prepared to pick up the gauntlet laid down by Matthew and Tony Gaines, the previous record holder? Will one of our lady masters attempt the event – in the absence of any previous swim there’s a record just waiting to have a name against it! Club Champs is just round the corner …..