Rochford & District Swimming Club (RADS)

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Essex BAGCAT Championships Block A - 18/19th February 2012

What a weekend for RADS! Some great performances in the first block of the Essex BAGCAT Championships 2012. Despite the low number of RADS entries this year, it was great to see some good young swimmers prepared to step up and take on the best from around the county.

First-timers Isobel Hurdle and Jessica Mason both did themselves proud, with Jessica making a final at her first attempt in the girls 9 yrs 50m Freestyle. Izzi was a joy to watch as she battled hard in all three of her events against some tough competition and still had a smile on her face at the end.
Carys Harding also gave an excellent account of herself with big PBs in the girls 11 yrs 200m & 50m Breaststroke and then another fine swim in the 50m freestyle. Georgia Powell couldn't quite reproduce the high standard she has already set herself, but went close to a PB in the girls 11 yrs 50m Freestyle. Ella Stone stormed through the first 75m of the girls 14 yrs 100m Freestyle, but was just caught near the end of the heat to finish 6th and miss out on the final.

Alex Campbell raced against the odds, swimming with a broken foot in the boys 12 yrs 50m Backstroke. His time was just outside his PB, so just imagine what he could do with two working feet. Talking of broken feet, Todd Harding has just recoved from his, and still managed to qualify for the boys 15 yrs 50m Freestyle. His time was 0.5s outside his PB, but then he hasn't trained for a week as he's been skiing - at least you came back in one piece Todd!

Christian McMillan came away with two bronze medals in the boys 13 yrs 50m Backstroke & 100m IM, and just missed out on a medal in the 50m Fly, coming 4th. Christian managed 4 PBs over the weekend. Rachel Vaughan was also in the medals, notching up a silver in the girls 17 yrs & over 200m Breaststroke and then a bronze in the 50m Breaststroke, recording a new PB in the process.

Faye Brumby was also one of our stars, making 3 finals (girls 16 yrs 100m Backstroke, 50m Fly & 50m Breaststroke) and was also placed 5th in the 200m Breaststroke. Brother Dean went close to a PB in the 17 yrs & over 50m Freestyle, but did improve it in the 100m IM, just edging out fellow RADS swimmer Danny Baker in the same heat. Danny did improve his PB in the 17 yrs & over 50m Freestyle however, recording 25.77 seconds for the two lengths. Danny also managed a PB in the 50m Backstroke.

Zac Mashford also had some fine sessions, making the final of the boys 16 yrs 50m Backstroke and a new PB, going under 30 seconds for the first time. Zac also recorded a new PB in the 50 free.

Congratulations to all the swimmers who qualified and made this such a successful weekend for the club. Roll on Block B at Braintree on 10/11th March.

Check out some more photos here!

Barking & Dagenham Trophy Gala 28th January 2012

RADS came 2nd overall in the Barking & Dagenham Trophy Gala which was the inaugaral gala held at the new Dagenham swimming pool. Rochford were invited along with four other swimming clubs to enter 2 teams for this competition. This meant that the club had to draw on all its resources to field almost 60 swimmers in total. In addition, Doug was unable to coach on the evening as he had to spend the weekend in hospital rather than at a pool that resembled a sauna. James & Brad therefore took over the poolside duties, organising swimmers from 9 years old up to masters in a hectic 3 hour session.

With so many races and swimmers, it is difficult to give everyone credit for their contribution. But their were some outstanding swims that cannot go unmentioned:-
Faye Brumby kicked off the evening winning the Open 200m IM, with Rachel Vaughan coming in a close 2nd. Faye then went on to swim the grueling Open 200m Fly, toughing it out for a great 2nd place. Faye then swam another 100m fly and several relays. The Top Girl trophy she was awarded at the end was well deserved.
Zac Mashford also scooped the Top Boy award in a clean sweep for RADS. Zac swam excellently in the Open 200m IM, 200m Free & 200m Back notching up high points totals in each. He also capped an excellent evening with some fine displays in the relays.
Georgia Powell showed again what great potential she has by destroying the field to win the u12 50m Fly & 50m Free.
Danny Baker won the Open 200m Fly and Dean Brumby just missed out on 2nd in the same race!
Lucy Johnson showed her competitors the way home in the u16 200m Back. What could she do if she trained more regularly?
Christian McMillan took the honours in the u14 & u16 100m Fly as well as the u14 100m Back.
Rachel Vaughan won the Open 200m Breast, wearing down the field with a relentless pace.
Carys Harding maked her first outing for the club with a great win in the u12 50m Breast.

In addition to these fine performances, there were several swimmers competing for the club for the first time. Everyone should be very proud of themselves and I wish I had more room to write some more. Apologies to anyone who was missed in this report...

Redbridge Winter Meet 7th January 2012

The Redbridge Winter Meet on 7th January 2012 at Fullwell Cross saw 11 RADS swimmers entered, with many trying to achieve Essex county qualifying times before the 22nd January deadline.

Of the 26 swims in total, 13 were PBs and 10 county qualifying times. There were several highlights with Dean Brumby & Ella Stone at the top of the list, winning bronze & silver medals respectively. Ella�s 50m Freestyle was a new PB, clocked at 28.82s placing her 3rd in Essex currently. Dean�s time of 57.50s in the 100m Freestyle was also a PB, knocking over a second off his previous best.

Other notable performances were from two 9 year olds Amber Head & Isobel Hurdle. Amber grabbed a silver medal and a county time in the 100m IM and a new PB in the 200m Freestyle, and Isobel medalled in the 200m Breaststroke also recording a new PB and county time.

Special mention must go to Todd Harding, racing for the first time since breaking a bone in his foot playing football. He even managed to post a new PB in the 100m Breaststroke to prove he is getting back to form.

Finally, well done to Todd�s sister Carys, who swims for Canvey Island. She managed 4 PBs over the weekend and 2 gold medals in the 100m & 200m Breaststroke.

Redbridge Winter Meet - Full Results
Redbridge Winter Meet - RADS Swimmers Times

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Canvey Winter Open 3rd/4th December 2011

Well done to those swimmers who competed in the Canvey Winter Open at Blackshots pool in Thurrock on 3rd & 4th December. The accepted entries for this event were not high, but the calibre of swims was excellent with some very fast times recorded. Todd Harding had fractured a bone in his foot, which was a shame, as he was looking forward to competing. We hope you recover soon Todd.

Some outstanding swims were capped by Lucy Bailey & Josh Metson. Both of these 9 year olds showed real tenacity, with Lucy tackling the daunting 200m Freestyle and Josh grabbing a silver medal in the 50m Freestyle. Well done to both swimmers!

In addition to this, we saw swims from two of our masters swimmers Paul Metson & Geoff Baker, who both showed that they could hold their own against the younger lads. Paul claimed the bronze in the 50m Breaststroke & Geoff also came 3rd in the 50m Fly.

Carys Harding also showed real stamina to record personal best times in all 8 events she entered, picking up 2 medals in the process.

Other notable performances:-
Sammy Perks once again showed he is the swimmer to beat in the 50m Fly for 9 year olds, by taking the gold in a time that puts him top of the county rankings for his age group. Jordan Kemp returned for her first gala since 2010 & medaled in the 100m Backstroke. Jessica Mason & Thea Cottam both fought well in the 50m Free to record PB times and Thea also medaled in the 50m Breaststroke, as well as recording another PB in the 100m Back. Dean & Faye Brumby, Danny & Mikey Baker, Zac Mashford & Christian McMillan once again came back with a sack full of medals, with Danny & Christian both recording district qualifying times. But final mention must go to Craig Johnston who was swimming in his first gala since a major knee injury. He performed briliantly in both the 100m free & 50m fly and showed that it won't be long before he is back to his best.

Canvey Winter Open - Full Results

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Essex Long Course Winter Championships - 25th / 26th & 27th November 2011

Six RADS swimmers qualified for the Essex Long Course Champs this year. The event was held over three days at the new 50m pool at Basildon Sporting Village. RADS swimmers competing were Danny Baker, Dean Brumby, Faye Brumby, Zac Mashford, Christian McMillan & Rachel Vaughan.
The event was highly competitive with swimmers from all the top clubs competing. Although no medals were won on this occasion, RADS gave a good account of themselves, with several long course PBs notched up. The results can be seen below. RADS swimmers highlighted in orange.

Essex Long Course 2011

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Thurrock County Qualifier - 5/6th November 2011

Although the number of RADS entries for this gala was somewhat lower than usual, it was made up for by the high quality of the swimming from the young squad. Well done to Isobel Hurdle & Sammy Perks who were each competing in their first gala. Both swam brilliantly, recording county qualifying times in the process. Also, Sammy picked up i gold medal in the 50m Fly. Other notable performances were Christian McMillan & Rachel Vaughan both winning four gold medals, with Christian also making 2 regional qualification times.
In all, the 15 RADS swimmers recorded 33 personal best times between them and won 15 medals. See the complete list of RADS swimmers and times below.

Thurrock County Qualifier 2011

Jasmyne Head, Isobel Hurdle, Olivia Hurdle, Tia McGrath, Amber Head

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