[Link]World Masters, Sweden 2010
World Masters, Gothenburg, Sweden, 27th July - 7th August 2010
The amazing Baz Owen (80yrs) was the club's sole representative at this top Masters event. Baz travelled there on his own but met up with old friends at the meet. He swam really well and achieved a 4th place in 200m backstroke in a time of 4:40.74, a 5th place in 200m IM in a time of 5:03.33 and a 6th place in 50m buterfly in a time of 1:17.85. Congratulations Baz on your 3 medals!
Llyn Padarn Swim, 24th July 2010
Here is a photo and a zoomed up one of our Padarn Lake race yesterday. Unfortunately we didn't catch Jan and Louise before they left. Claire
was 1st overall in the 2 mile race, Stel was 1st female veteran and the Arfon Masters team were 2nd team in the race.
Allison Donnelly knocked 8 mins off her previous time so was pretty pleased as well. The water temperature was pretty cold and a lot of people suffered with the low temperatures. 52 people competed.
The Jack Thomas Open Water Straits Race, 17th July 2010
It was a cool, breezy Welsh summers day when 21 swimmers lined up along the shore on Anglesey and contemplated the daunting prospect of having to swim a mile across the Menai Straits in very choppy and decidedly cool conditions. It was the 11th Straits Race run by Arfon Masters and it was swum in some of the hardest conditions for both the swimmers and their kayakers that we've experienced and tested the swimmers' skills in dealing with difficult open water conditions.
It was no surprise that the skilled and brilliant open water competitor, Claire Wilson of Arfon Masters, managed to arrive at the finish at Porth yr Aur, Caernarfon, first. Even Claire found the going tough and finished in a time of 30mins 44secs, several minutes down on her usual time.
Even more amazing was the arrival of Jessica Trewin, another Arfon Masters swimmer, just under 2 mins behind Claire, in a time of 32mins 38secs. It was Jessica's first open water competition and to have swum so well in such tough conditions is truely amazing.
Stell Farrar (again Arfon Masters) came third in a time of 33mins 56secs and won the Richard Jackson Trophy for the first Senoir Master (over 50).
So the women showed the men just how tough they were! The first male to arrive was Phil Burchell from Holywell and he won the Edna Dilworth trophy in a time of 34mins 18secs.
The youngest competitor, Taliesin Farrar, only 14 years old, gave a brilliant performance to come in 5th place in a time of 34mins 26secs
As well as locals, there were swimmers from Dundee, Angus, Wallasey, Bristol, Connahs Quay and Blackpool and all swam extemely well to manage to complete in such difficult conditions. Congratulations! All received certificates and enjoyed a welcome cup of warming soup at the presentation by Caernarfon mayor, Cllr Huw Edwards, following the race in the Royal Welsh Yacht Club premises.
The post-race BBQ was kindly hosted by Colette again and we all enjoyed the food and the company in Colette and Lyn's wonderful garden.
Thanks to all who made this event such a success - the kayakers, the RWYC, all those who provided safety boats and the organisers and particularly thanks to Anthony Howland who had to abandon his fatherly duties and take Jenny's place in organising this event and Claire Roberts and her family without whom the race couldn't have gone ahead. Claire was able to take over from Jenny as Judge and her Dad, Mum and sister were also qualified Open Water oficials.
Jessica Trewin arriving second after an amazing swim in 32:38
British Masters Championships 2010
Arfon Masters swimmers were among some of the country's elite swimmers taking part in the British Gas Masters Championships recently. 
During the 3 day event held in Glasgow, a number of national, world and european records were smashed.
The 7 swimmers representing Arfon Masters gave a great performance and brought home 13 medals between them, including two relay medals - the first time in the Club's history that the team has won relay medals at a British Championships event.
Highlights included Jessica Trewen (20, from Bangor) and Stella Farrar (51 from Dinorwig) both claiming 2nd place in the 1500M Freestyle events. Stella went on to win a further 6 medals, claiming 1st place in the 800M Freestyle. Arfon's oldest swimmer Baz Owen (80, from Llanfairfechan) picked up 3 medals in his events, winning 1st place in each.
The team entered the 50M mixed medley relay in the 200+ age group. Oggy East (43, Deiniolen), Baz Owen, Allison Donnelly (43 from Dinorwig) and Stella Farrar scooped a 3rd place medal. In the 100m freestyle relay 120+ age group, Stella Farrar, Marina Asastasia-Athanasiadou (25, from Menai Bridge) and Oggy East were joined by coach Andy Waterhouse who put in a fine swim enabling the team to secure the bronze medal.
With all Arfon Masters competitors coming home with a medal, the championships proved to be their most successful British Championships. Oggy East, Chair of Arfon Masters, said "it was a long trip up to Glasgow, but to swim in the pool that will be used for the Commonwealth Games was a privelidge. The competition was tough with some big Scottish teams swimming really well on their home turf. It was a great performance by everyone from Arfon - as well as the individual medals many of us swam personal bests and to pick up the two relay medals was a real bonus - a great reward for all the hard training."
The team would like to send their thanks to coaches Andy Waterhouse, Daniel Pickup and Darren Brame for their continued hard work, expertise and great training sessions.
Swim Wales Open Masters and Senior Age Group, Swansea, 5th-7th March 2010
Six swimmers from Arfon Masters travelled to the national pool in Swansea for the British Gas Welsh Swimming Championships and came away with an impressive haul of 52 medals, including 31 golds with three swimmers setting Welsh records. Stel and Baz won all their events, Stel setting new Welsh standards in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, 200m freestyle and the 200m backstroke narrowly missing out on the British record in the 1500m event by just 4 seconds. Baz, at 80 years oldour oldest competitor, added the Welsh record in the 200m individual medley to his seven golds. Keith also had a busy weekend competiting in 17 events, winning 8 individual golds and setting Welsh records in the gruelling 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley events.
Oggy East secured wins in the 200m breastroke - an event he had never swam before - and the 200m freestyle. Oggy commented "I'd been doing lots of breastroke in training trying to get the pacing right for 200m, luckily the training paid off and I was over the moon with getting the gold". Bridgetwas also on top form winning four gold medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and backstroke and medalling in three other events. Allison won her 200m individual medley event and medalled in six other events. The Arfon team also won four golds in the freestyle and medley relays.
A winning combination: Baz, Bridget, Keith, Stel, Allison and Oggy. Just look at all those medals - Congratulations!
Report and photo Oggy
Arfon Masters' A.G.M. - 28th February 2010.
Thanks to the 20 members who attended this year's successful and fruitful Annual General Meeting. It was great to see so many members there including newish members Wayne, Claire Roberts, Sean andRoger, Unfortunately Ann Whatham couldn't make it as she is still waiting to be given the all clear after her two cataract operations. We look forward to seeing her swimming again in April.
Another unfortuate absentee was the out-going chair, Gill Windle. She had intended tocome but at the last minute her horse was taken ill and she had to deal with vets instead of swimmers! Her speech was delivered by Vice-ChairLouise. The President Mike Dilworth chaired the meeting and also had to read the Competition Secretary's report as he wasaway this week-end. Oggy, as it happens,was voted the new Chair so we should be hearing a lot more from him in future.
The club have been fortunate to have Gill as Chair over such a difficult period. She has worked hard and efectively and decisively over the last 3 years and it is thanks to her leadership that the club has managed to cope with the huge loss of long-time coach, Jennyand the successfulrecruitment ofstudents Andy as Head Coach and Dan as Assistant Coach.They are both doing a great job and are helping in the club's drive to recruit and retain new members.
Gill will be missed by the committee butI'm sure everyonewishes thenew Chair great success in leading the club forward. The members of the committee now are:
Chairperson: Oggy East
Vice-Chairperson: Louise Jones
Secretary: Christine Slater
Treasurer: Trixie Wilson
Membership Secretary: Mike Dilworth
Competition Secretary: Oggy East
Social Secretary: Lucy Hale
Welfare Officer: Louise Jones
Additional committee members are: Helen Hughes, Baz Owen, Bridget Edwards and we welcome two new members Colette Price and Sam Davies.
There followed a lively and interesting discussion on the Club Audit for 2009 and the future funding of the club andsocial events.
Shrewsbury New Year Gala, 9th January 2010.
Eleven hardy and dedicatedArfon Masters swimmers battled against the odds to reach Shrewsbury in the depths of winter to compete in this year'sNew Year gala. They'd had to brave the freezing conditions, snow and ice plusthe after-effects of a gas explosion to reach the pool in time for the warm-up at 8.30am! To their credit, despite the trauma of reaching the destination, they all gave brilliant performances. Congratulations to Jan, Mike, Allison, Oggy, Sean, Lucy, Louise, Mair, Baz, Colette and Keith.
Special congratulations to Baz, Colette and Jan who all broke meet records. Baz has now made it to the 80-84 age group and he broke meet records in the 100 IM (2:02.22) and in 100 Back (2:12.36). Keep going Baz you're amazing! Colette got a meet record in 25 Fly (18.45) and Jan in 100 Breast (1:47.15) and 100 IM (1:38.55).
Jan won her age group; Baz came second in his andKeith and Mike gained third places.
Colette managed to break the Welsh record for 50m backstroke finishing in 40.54 secs. What a comeback!
Twenty eight teams from around the UK competed, the Arfon team finishing in 5th place overall!
New Year Dip, 2010
What a way to welcome in the New Year! The more insane amongst you decided to do it in style and much agony! Jan, Louise, Mike, Sean, Felicity and Waynerushed into the perishing Menai Straits at Menai Bridge at 11am and lived to tell the tale. Jan and Mike enjoyed it so much that they even went in for a second time!
They don't look too blue!
Christmas Party 2009
Another delicious Christmas dinner for hungry swimmers at Blue Sky on Saturday, 5th December. We all made the most of the food and drinks and the best of us received trophies.
Vivienne Brame Cup – Fastest female
3rd Sam Davies 16.80 (1st masters gala !)
2nd Stel Farrar 15.91 (15.66 in 2008, 15.38 in 2007, 14.85 in 2006)
1st Gill Windle 14.29 (14.18 in 2008, 14.76 in 2006)
Britannia Carpets Cup – Fastest Male
3rd Mike Dilworth 15.88 (15.88 in 2006 – consistent !)
2nd Oggy East 14.91 (15.06 in 2008)
1st Steve Wilson 12.98
Dorothy Jones Cup – Most points Female
1st - Allison Donnelly 36
2nd - Gill Windle 36
3rd - Stel Farrar 34
Arthur Dilworth Cup – Most points Male
1st – Mike Dilworth 35
2nd – Nefyn Williams 31
3rd – Jason Cordingley 27
Edna Dilworth Cup – nearest 200 IM time to GB record in their age group by +%
1st Gill Windle 2:55.80 (record = 2:38.39) 110.99%
2nd Stel Farrar 3:07.63 (record = 2:45.81) 113.16%
3rd Mike Dilworth 3:15.76 (record = 2:26.39) 125.17%
Norman Runham Cup:- 2009 Oggy East
(Previous winners: 1998 John Holmes; 1999 Lynn Yule; 2000 Anne Whatham & Edna Dilworth (joint); 2001 Lynn Roberts; 2002 Baz Owen; 2003 Mair Martin; 2004 Edna Dilworth; 2005 Jan Albin; 2006 Mike Dilworth; 2007 Sue Sullivan; 2009 Christine Slater)
The proud owner of the Norman Runham cup!
ASA Short Course Masters, Ponds Forge, Sheffield, 23rd - 25th October 2009
Three Arfon Masters swimmers competed in the recent ASA GB Masters Swimming Championships held in Sheffield.
A staggering performance by Stel Farrar (50, from Dinorwig) saw her break Welsh records in 200m, 400, 800m and 1500m freestyle; set a new British Record in the 1500m freestyle beating the current European champion on the way and twice broke the British Record for 800m freestyle. Jason Cordingley (37 from Gaerwen) and Oggy East (42, from Menai Bridge) also competed and set a number of personal best performances.
Stel knocked nearly 28 seconds off the 1500m prevous record touching in 20:02.09 and broke the 800m record on the way to victory on the Friday afteroon session. Stel went on to lower the record again by a further 3 seconds on the Sunday setting a new time of 10:33.31.
“It was magical,” she said. “About six months ago I hit a plateau and my times were getting slower so I thought I had lost my chance for a British record. But Friday was a good day and it felt good as I was swimming. I was ahead of the woman who just won the European championships so I knew I must be doing well. I’m really please I didn’t just scrape under the record.”
"It was the high point of swimming for me and I have to say that without the support of my fellow Arfon Masters team mates, the experience would have been flat. Oggy and Jason swam great, there is mega competition in their age groups, I'm just lucky to be old and mad enough to want to do 1500 and 800 events!"
Stel also won silver in 400 freestyle and 200 butterfly and picked up bronze medals in the 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke.
Report and photos Oggy East
Halton Masters, 5th September 2009
Bridget Edwards and Jason Cordingley attended this early season gala while the rest of us were still enjoying the summer break! They both got a great buzz out of competing again and both achieved 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in their races so well done! They should be in great condition for our gala on 26th September.
Bridget was 2nd in 50m FS with a time of 44.79, 2nd in 100m Back Stroke 1:54.30, 3rd in 100m IM 2:05.63, 1st in 50m Breast 54.05, 4th in `100m FS 1:45.72, 1st in 50m Back Stroke 54.00 and 3rd in 100 Breast 2:03.60
Jason was 4th in 400m FS 6:41.22, 1st in 100m Back Stroke 1:36.51, 5th in 100m IM 1:33.18, 4th in 100m Fly 1:33.66, 2nd in 200m IM 3:26.55, 7th in 50m Fly 41.02, 3rd in 50m Back Stroke 46.08
Barnet Copthall Sprint Meet, 6th September, 2009
This time our Competition Secretary, Oggy East, attended this meet on his own. Well done!
The 2009 Open Water Swims
Sadly both the Pier to Pier and the Cross Straits open water swims had to be cancelled this year due to insufficient entries for the Pier Swim and adverse weather for the Straits Swim. This was particularly tragic as Anthony Howland had just taken over from Jenny as Race Organiser. Many thanks to him and the other members of the sub-committee for all the hard work they had put in. BUT the party still went ahead! Thanks to Colette for hosting that and next year the summer's going to be fantastic!!
North West Masters, Blackpool, 4th July 2009
Oggy and Jason bravely represented the club against strong opposition at this Blackpool event. All good experience! Well done.
GB Masters, Cardiff, 19th-21st June, 2009
Three Arfon Masters swimmers travelled south to the new Cardiff International Pool to join 600 other competitors for the Great British Championships. This premier event for masters swimmers in the UK saw many new standards set, including 2 World and several European records. Helen Hughes (67) from Tregarth continued her excellent form she displayed at the Welsh Championships earlier in th year to claim silver medals in the 200m backstroke and 200 Individual Medley, setting Welsh records in both events. Helen also gained 4th places in three other events and set further Welsh records for 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.
Helen has recently returned to competitive swimming after a 5 year break and said "It was a great experience to swim in the GB championships and get 2 silver medals. A feat never before achieved in over 20 years of racing!"
Stel Farrar from Dinorwig competing in the 50-55 age group claimed a bronze medal for her 200m backstroke and 200m freestyle swims and collected a hard fought silver medal in the 1500m freestyle. Like Helen, Stel was also in record breaking form, setting new Welsh standards in three events; the 200m backstroke and both the 100m and 200m freestyle.
Oggy East (42) from Menai Bridge also had a successful weekend setting new personal bests in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke. Oggy commented "the standard of the competition was very high and it's great to compete against some of the best swimmers in the country; it makes all the training worthwhile when you come away having swum faster than ever before."
All three swimmers would like to take the opportunity to thank their coaches Darren Brame, Jenny Shaw and Andy Waterhouse.
Photo and account by Oggy East
Jenny's Leaving Party
Jenny doing her official bit at the Afon Gala this year.
We were all gutted when Jenny anounced her retirement from the club after serving as Head Coach since the early 1990's. She will be sorely missed as she inspired so many of us to take up swimming seriously. She put a great deal of time and effort into improving our swimming and developing the club and we're all really grateful to her but wish her the best in developing her career in swimming further.
Every cloud has a silver lining and at least we had a great party out of it. Mair and Marty hosted it with assistance from other members. Both present and past members attended and a collage of club photos was presented to Jenny along with some crystal and flowers as a leaving present. Our President, Mike Dilworth gave a small speech and there was plenty of drink and food. Unfortunately our new coach, Andy Waterhouse didn't make it as he couldn't find the house!! Also the party photos seem to have been lost! Still all who found it had a great time.
Welsh Open, Swansea, 27th, 28th February and 1st March, 2009
Six of our top swimmers represented the club at this 50m top Welsh swimming event in the national pool at Swansea. Claire, Stel, Helen, Bridget, Allison and Baz broke records, got PB's, won medals and had a great time in the process. Stel swam especially well in her gruelling 1500m swim and broke several Welsh records in the process! Helen made a great come-back and also broke Welsh records!
Here are Helen's thoughts on the competition:
The Meet was very enjoyable, a lovely pool with plenty of seating space, lockers, showers etc. We all had some good swims, enough to raise our spirits among the disappointments. Bridget's swims were all PB's, and her breaststroke looked wonderfully smooth.
Stell was there for the Friday only, having travelled down on a early train with Andy.She swam one race (1500m f/c) and broke 5 Welsh records in the course of it.
The weather on Saturday and Sunday was fine, and a visiting small boy, 8 month old Osian (my first grandchild) pleased all the mums among us!
It was good to be back, after a gap of 5 years, meeting old friends and competitors. Baz introduced us to a man who had swum the 100m (yds?) backstroke for GB at the 1948 Olympics in London. He was still competing!
Welsh Records for 2008
In the LC Female results Arfon Masters hold an amazing 36 records with Edna Dilworth still holding onto 21 of those. What a brilliant swimmer she was! Colette, Gill, Helen and Stel hold the rest between them.
The same swimming talent features in the SC Female records but they are also joined by Claire Wilson and Ann Watham. Well done ladies!
The men also did the club proud with Baz holding a brilliant 8 LC records and 7 SC records. Mike Dilworth also holds one LC record and Baz is joined by Colin Herbert, Keith Rothwell and Anthony Howland who each hold one record in the SC tables. Great swimming guys!
Arfon Masters now has 6 swimmers in the top ten GB rankings for 2008 for short course competition - Claire Wilson, Gill Windle, Stel Farrar, Jan Albin, Helen Hughes and Ann Watham. Stel was 1st in the 1500 Freestyle in her year and Ann was 1st in 200m IM. Amazing!
We also have have 4 swimmers in the GB top ten for long course competition - Allison Donnelly, Gill Windle, Stel Farrar and Baz Owen. Stel was first again in the 1500 Freestyle and also 800 and 400 in the same stroke. Baz was first in the 400 IM, 200 Breaststroke and 100 Butterfly. Congratulations and well done to you all!
Shrewsbury New Year Gala, 10th January, 2009
Three men, Keith Rothwell, Oggy East and Jason Cordingley and six female swimmers, Jan Albin, Allison Donnelly, Bridget Edwards, Louise Jones, Lucy Rothwell and Christine Slater, got the year off to a great start. It was a truely sociable and fun week-end. The gala was relaxed and friendly and the social great fun. Everyone had a super time and Lucy came away winning 1st place in her age group, Allison 2nd while Jan was 3rd in hers. Unfortunately Mike Dilworth had to miss it due to illness but we hope he'll be back competing with us again soon!
We start the year as we mean to go on!!
Christine, Lucy, Allison and Jan - one of our relay teams
The anxious wait before the action
Smiles all round - it's all over
The tension mounts!
Some fatherly advice
It's all too much for Keith!
He's ready to go now
The best bit - the chat in the swim-down pool!
And even better - the ceilidh after!
Toasting a successful gala
The ceilidh band
Keith hits the dance floor
The triumphant Loughborough team
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