Search Results

Back East Region Long Course Championship Success 14 May 2023 Halstead Swimming Club are celebrating the achievements of Amelia, Charlie, Daniel, Danielle, Emilia, Imogen, Jasper, Joseph, Kai, Layla, Maisy and Samuel in the Swim England East Region Long Course Championships. They qualified for 53 events, which were held over several weekends in May, in Norwich and Luton. The SE East Region has 6 counties and over 130 clubs affiliated to it; on announcing that Halstead had placed 11th in the championship, Head Coach John Lowe called it, "An incredible achievement!", while also admitting to some of the magnificent swims making the distinguished coach a little 'misty eyed'. The swimmers were cheered on from home, as the event was streamed on YouTube and we witnessed some extraordinary talent, determination and resilience from all our local athletes. Halstead is a relatively small club, but the commitment of these swimmers to keep improving, keep challenging themselves, has placed them amongst the best in the East of England and made them role models to friends and family – young and old, swimmer and non-swimmer alike! A special mention goes out to two swimmers: Joseph Bale is a swimmer whose talent is truly exciting to watch evolve. Joseph competed in 7 events. He made the final for all 7, and won Regional Golds in 6: 200m IM, 50m 100m & 200m Breaststroke and the 100m & 200m Backstroke. His 200m IM had everyone on the edge of their seats and his lead in the 200m breaststroke was astounding. Joseph was awarded the Top Boy trophy for 11/12 yrs category. Not content with dominating the East Region, Joseph is currently – for ‘Long Course’ (50m competition pools) events – ranked the 2nd fastest 12 year old in Britain for all 3 Breaststroke distances and 7th in the 100m & 200m Backstroke; for ‘Short Course’ (25m pools) he is ranked 1st in Britain for the 100m & 200m Breaststroke and top 10 for a further 3 events. Truly an incredible young man! The boundless energy of 12 year old Layla Jennings took our breath away during this competition; she qualified for an extraordinary 14 events and had a competition that was not for the faint of heart. Layla achieved 10 top 8 places in the heats of her events, which included the brutal 400m IM, 400m Freestyle and 200m Butterfly. All but the 400m swims she had to redouble her efforts and do it all again in the finals, earning herself Gold in the 200m Butterfly, Silver in the 200m IM & Bronze in the 200m Freestyle. The 200m Fly is a mental battle for the most seasoned of swimmers, Layla’s 200m butterfly was jaw dropping; she took it all in her stride, obliterating her entry time of 3:07.30 down to 2:55.28 in the heats, but had saved her best for the final where she reduced it further to win Gold with 2:50.33 – Both times leaving her competitors in her wake. By the close of the championships, Layla was ranked 5th in the Region for the 11/12 yrs category. Needless to say, the whole of Halstead Swimming Club are very proud of them all. Goooooooo Halstead!!! Previous Next

Back HSC Success at the Born2Tri Gosfield Lake Triathlon & Multisports Event 2 Jul 2023 Not a HSC event, but a ‘HSC family’ gathering of athleticism, friendships and camaraderie; the Born2Tri Gosfield Lake Triathlon and Multisports Event 2023. Genuinely one of the best, and brightest events: the weather was perfect, the venue was spectacular and the people cheerful, inspiring and supportive. An 18+ years event that saw: Charlie (with a spectacular transition!), Marcel and Kai take 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run) an incredible feat!! Reaffirmed by seasoned tri spectator, Shaun Boldock’s sheer excitement and pride in them all and their achievements! Thomas came in a brilliant 18th overall and 8th in the Open category on his first triathlon, followed closely by Lewis in 14th and Sam in 16th. HSC alumni Becki came in at 9th in the Open female cat (1st most cheerful, according to the photos!), closely followed by Robyn in 10th - with a triumphant 4 minute PB and ‘less of the old HSC’ timer mum Katie came in 20th as a veteran cat on her first triathlon, go Katie! . Holly Freegard came in a MAGNIFICENT 1st in the Aquathlon (1500m swim, 10km run) Neil came in 16th on his first ever tri, as a veteran, in the Standard Tri (1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run). I think that there were other HSC alumni and family there, but I don’t know everyone’s names, if someone points me in their direction I’ll add them to the report with glee and pride It was just the loveliest of events to watch, the HSC members past, present and parental were just wonderful! An amazing number of the HSC community turned out to support them all; Special mention to Dave, who might be an amazing competitive swimming coach, but is also experienced at officiating these events, and was just as emotional watching our gang come through the final stages. Thanks for being just as excited with the whole thing! I personally had Linneys #1 & #2 wanting to have a go, with #3 thinking maybe……when I’m older…..but I’ll watch with a bacon sandwich in the meantime . Bale #2 was overheard saying that she would overcome her fear of open water swimming to give it a go in the future…..if the others join her . Meanwhile, Daisy looked on glad she ‘only’ has to worry about the swimming part in this weekend’s Regional Open Water Champs in Norwich, with Lewis. Shout out to the incredible job done by the Born2Tri organisers and to Gosfield Lake (one of HSC's very own). Spectacular job!! Thank you!! Well done everyone. Truly, truly fabulous! For details of open water swimming at Gosfield Lake - https://www.facebook.com/Gosfieldlakeopenswimming/ clubs.britishtriathlon.org Born2Tri Born2Tri Braintree Previous Next

Back East Region Open Water Championships 2022 10 Jul 2022 Well done Lewis, Charlie and Ben on your incredible efforts at the East Region Open event in Norwich. Our Senior Vice Captain and new addition to our coaching team, Lewis placed 3rd in the 19+ category, with a 1:09.23 5km swim and qualified for Nationals, Chlarie placed 3rd in the 18yrs category, with a 1:14.59 5km swim and Ben, with a stunning display of resilience managed to complete his 2km in 10th place at 39.11 mins, despite developing a migraine half way around the course! Well done! We love seeing you strive outside the pool. We look forward to seeing Lewis compete on 10th August at Thrybergh Country Park in Doncaster. Previous Next