Orkney swimmers rack up the medals at national meet

Orkney swimmers are continuing to make a splash and a name for themselves on the national scene. 

The trio – Alfie Price, Jack Wallace and Eve Wood – are Performance Development Programme (PDP) athletes and came away from the Scottish Swimming Meet in Aberdeen with a tally of medals. 

The PDP scheme is run through Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and sportscotland. Programme support is given to athletes on the performance pathway which includes physical preparation, performance lifestyle support, nutrition support and physio guidance. 

Alfie won three golds – 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle including new long course records in the 100m freestyle and equalled his current record in the 50m freestyle. 

Jack won bronze in 50m breaststroke.  

Eve, who is also an Athlete Travel Award Scheme recipient, won the gold in 200m backstroke and silver in 50m butterfly with Orkney records in the 200 free and backstroke. 

Eve made finals in all her events which included the 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley, 4th 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m breaststroke. 

Eight Orkney swimmers received invitations to compete at the four-day event including Rhian Clapham, Tamsin Blowfield, Craig Burton, Nathan Smith (who was unable to attend), Magnus Kirkpatrick, Alfie, Eve and Jack.  For Rhian, Tamsin (ATAS athlete) and Craig this was their first invitation to the meet and the largest number of swimmers invited to this event from Orkney Amateur Swimming Club so far. 

Magnus Kirkpatrick made the final in the 200m breaststroke getting 7th overall and some great PBs including taking the Long Course Open Orkney record away from his older brother. He took a further 8 seconds off his 400m freestyle securing an age group record and moved up two places. He also managed another age group record in his 50m breaststroke. 

Rhian swam a fantastic 200m butterfly taking 5 seconds off her PB from earlier in the year and moved up three placings.  

Craig had a strong first 50m in his 100m breaststroke but was outside his PB set in April this year which was expected having had time away from training in recent weeks. 

Tamsin managed to sneak under her PB in the 100m freestyle and hit her 100 backstroke PB.  

Swimming coach and the Council’s Service Manager Sustainable Regeneration and Arctic, Inga Burton, said: “A fantastic end to the season for all the swimmers after a long year of training particularly for those where it was their first time being invited to the Scottish Summer Championships, it's a big achievement and another squad goal of having a team of swimmers representing Orkney at this event. 

“The season hasn’t quite finished however for Eve as she received her invitation to participate in the Aquatics GB Summer Championships 20-26 July, where she will compete in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 50m, 100m backstroke.  

“It is only in the last couple of years that swimmers have received invitations to participate in this meet so a huge congratulations to them all - including their coaches and parents for providing the support network that makes training and competing possible.  

“Also, thanks to Orkney Islands Council’s Sport and Leisure service and sportscotland for their continued support as well as the Stromness Swimming Pool and Pickaquoy Centre and those that contribute financially through discounts/fundraising/sponsorship.” 

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the club and ways to support the swimmers, please contact secretary@orkneyswimming.co.uk