Review of the Year

Spencer Swim Team was 40 years old in 2017 and we have 200 members this year. Celebrations included a 40×100 training session, a Secret Auction for racing suits sponsored by Speedo which raised a significant amount for club funds and a fabulous 40th Anniversary Party with Club La Santa raffle, which raised further funds.

Pool Swimming:
24 Spencer swimmers swam in the World Masters Championships in Budapest, which was more than any other GB club. We now have 4 World Champions – Jack Marriott, Greg Kahn, Diane Ford and Amanda Heath – and the club won 5 golds, 7 silvers, 5 bronzes and 7 pewter (4th-6th place) medals

13 swimmers travelled to the GB Masters in Aberdeen, resulting in 6 British champions (Grace Isaac, Diane Ford, Fran Baker, Amanda Heath, Geoff Stokes and Nigel Salsbury) plus 18 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 bronze and 3rd place in the top team trophy

23 swimmers were at the Swim England short course Masters in Sheffield, with 3 English champions (Di, Fran, Amanda) and 7 individual golds, 13 Silver, 5 bronze. The Relays won 4 golds, 2 Silver and 1 bronze.

Spencer swimmers raced in numerous other meets during the year, including the Swim Wales Nationals, the South East Region Long and Short Course Championships, the Surrey Championships, the Essex, Norfolk and Berks & South Bucks Open Championships, Rushmoor Royals, Gloucester, Bracknell and Barnet Copthall Meets and the GLLAM Meet at the London Aquatics Centre. This year we won the trophy at St Paul’s BBQ Meet and the teams won gold and silver medals at the South London SC Midsummer relays.

During the year, we broke 14 British records and 3 European records in the pool.

Open Water/Ice swimming:
Jess Campbell became the world record holder for the 45-49 age group ice kilometre, and also won the Women’s World 1k Championship.
Jane Turner completed the first ever Ice mile in Tooting Lido and Jess Campbell recorded the fastest Ice Mile by a British woman.

Spencer Swimmers have completed many Open Water swims this year, including the UK Cold Water Championships, the Henley Race Series, the Jubilee River Swim, Swim Oxford Lock to Lock and Wallington Long Reach.

Finally, the website has had around 12,500 views since it’s relaunch in the middle of the year.

Thanks to the Coaches, Committee and our volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you!

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