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arfon masters swimming club

news and results archive: 2005

Arfon Masters GB Top Rankings 2005

Congratulations to five outstanding Arfon swimmers for their achievement in getting placed in the GB top ten rankings!

Mike Dilworth, Gill Windle and Baz Owen all got places in the top ten rankings for short course events while Jan Albin, Mike Dilworth, Keith Rothwell and Baz Owen all got top ten rankings for long course events.

Download the rankings

Welsh Closed Masters Meet, 5th November 2005 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Seven swimmers (Oggy, Jason, Mair, Catherine, Edna, Baz and Christine) represented Arfon Masters in this year’s Welsh Closed Masters Meet in Cardiff, and all gave an excellent performance. Catherine came 2nd in her age group, Jason 3rd, Oggy 3rd, Mair 4th, Christine 2nd, Baz 1st and Edna 1st. Four of them were experienced away gala swimmers and three were complete novices. It was a great gala for the inexperienced as it was relaxed and friendly and not at all intimidating. We even had trophies to take home!

Speaking as a novice myself, it was great to be part of a small team with the support and encouragement they gave and, once you got into it, the races were great fun. At the end of the day you were left with a feeling of achievement, an ambition to repeat the experience and a reminder of the areas of your performance that needed a little improvement – turns for Oggy, dive starts for Jason and I – help please Jenny!

The one dampener on the day came at the last race of the day – 100m Fly. What a race to leave to the end! Mair, Baz, Catherine and I were all competing in it. The other three swam really well with Mair and Baz 1st in their age groups and Catherine 2nd. After doubting whether I’d manage it or not, I had a great swim and came in quite strongly at the end (as opposed to the usual battle to finish) so I was really pleased with the time, my second best. I was quite exuberant that I’d finished the event with such reasonable times but then was devastated when I learnt that I’d been disqualified for moving on the starting block after “take your marks” – a lesson for all! It will take me a while to get over it I assure you!

Thanks to all seven swimmers (who are now looking forward to their next meet!) for helping the club towards achieving Dragon Mark Performance status. We all had a great time and, speaking as someone who has always shied away from attending away galas in the past, may I urge those of you that are thinking of it, to have a go. If I can enjoy it anyone can!

Download the full results (MS Word document)

ASA National Masters Championship, 28th – 30th October, 2005 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

Gill Windle and Mike Dilworth bravely represented Arfon Masters at this highly competitive gala. They both gave great performances with Gill breaking two Welsh records in the 40-44yrs age group:

400m Freestyle 5mins 27.66sec

800m Freestyle 11mins 21.75sec

and Mike gaining a silver medal for 200m butterfly with a time of 4 min 00.93sec and a bronze medal for 400m IM with a time of 6 min 50.06sec. Congratulations to both!

Gill commented that the competition was amazing, so if you want to test yourself, this is a gala to go for.

Arfon Results

Records tumble at the19th Arfon Masters Gala

An amazing 45 meet records and 1 Welsh record were broken this year by swimmers at the 19th Arfon Masters Gala on 1st October, 2005. Congratulations to all.

Andrew Campbell of Wrexham deserves special mention breaking the Welsh record for the 100m IM (30-34 yrs.) with a time of 1:02.30.

Well done also to Halton Masters, who had a really strong male team, and took the winning club trophy this year. Arfon will have to try even harder next year to get it back!

Arfon swimmers managed to break an amazing 10 meet records - congratulations! All the results are now available in MS Word format - links are below the photographs.

Edna Dilworth in the 80-84 age group for 100m IM in a time of 2:32.93, 50 breast in 1:16.26, 50 free in 1:03.32 and 25 free in 27.32

Lizzie Yule in the 18-24 age group for 50 breast in a time of 44.73 and 25 free in 15.62.

Baz Owen in the 75-79 age group for 100 fly in a time of 1:10.14 and 100 back in 2:23.36

Stel Farrar in the 45-49 age group for 25 free in a time of 14.77

Lastly the Arfon Masters mixed 240-279 medley relay team with a time of 1:18.70

We hope everyone enjoyed the occasion. All swimmers did really well (some even managed to make a contribution to medical research at the same time as competing!). Thanks to you all, including the officials and helpers for making the meet such a success. The club would especially like to thank all Arfon members who participated for helping to contribute to the sterling club effort.

Even greater fun was the buffet and disco after - see the photos!

Event Results
Medal Count
Team Rankings
Individual Rankings - Female
Individual Rankings - Male
Meet Records

Arfon Masters performance results for Dragon Mark, Sept 04 - Aug 05

Microsoft Word downloads:
Overall results
Arfon Gala
Welsh Open
Shrewsbury
Rotherham
GB Masters
ASA Masters

Welsh A.S.A. 800 metres and 1500 metres Postal Swim

Download Arfon Masters swimmers results

Straits Open Water Swim 21st August 2005

Graham spots the camera as the swimmers close in on the finishing line

The first swimming race across the Menai Strait from Foel Anglesy to Porth Yr Aur, Caernarfon was held 50 years ago in 1955. That race was organised by Councillor Jack Thomas on behalf of the Caernarfon Swimming Club and was held annually for several years. In 1999 the Arfon Masters Swimming Club reinstated the race, which had not been held for several years, and have held it an annually since that date.

This year’s race was held on Sunday 21st August and although the weather was dry and sunny a stiff breeze was blowing across the 1 mile course. The 23 swimmers, each accompanied by a kayak, lined up at the start knowing that the wind would make the conditions for the crossing less than ideal.

Six times winner, twenty two year old Claire Wilson from Bethesda, accompanied by kayaker Pam Bowers, took an early lead and stayed out in front throughout the race. Claire’s winning time of 26 minutes 5.9 seconds was applauded by many spectators, including Gareth Griffith from Mynydd Llandygai who at the age of 15 years in 1955 finished second in the inaugural race in a time of 38 minutes. At the finish to greet Claire and all the other swimmers, was Caernarfon Mayor, Councillor Tudor Owen. Claire not only won the winners trophies but also took the 1st local junior female trophy for the seventh year in succession.

The second swimmer to finish was 46 year old Stel Farrar from Dinorwic who won the 1st local senior female trophy in a time of 28 minutes 28.4 seconds. Third placed swimmer and winner of the 1st local senior male trophy was 52 year old Mike Dilworth from Rhosybol in a time of 28 minutes and 49 seconds. The 1st local Junior trophy was won by 16 year old Sean Martin from Bangor in a time of 35 minutes 38 seconds.

The youngest swimmer was 15 year old Ceri Jones from Penysarn, Anglesy who finished 12th overall in a time of 33 minutes and 7.6 seconds. The youngest race participant was 12 year old kayaker, Tani Hargreaves from Tregarth, Bangor, a member of Snowdonia Canoe Club an accomplished sea kayaker.

This year the Pat Irons Memorial Cup for the first swimmer over 60 years old was not presented as the oldest competitor was 56 year old Keith Rothwell from Bryn Refail, Caernarfon who finished 5th in a time of 30 minutes 34.3 seconds.

This year the race attracted several swimmers from Liverpool and one from as far away as Holmrook, Cumbria. All these competitors praised the arrangements and course for the race and vowed to return next year. The race is open to any capable swimmer who belongs to a FINA affiliated swimming club.

The weather conditions meant that although most race entrants recorded a faster time than last year's swim, when the sea conditions on the course were quite rough, no-one achieved personal best times. The first race in 1955 was held in less than ideal sea and weather conditions and of the thirteen starters three were unable to complete the race due, in the main to muscle cramp. In Sunday's race all twenty three starters completed the course without any ill effects.

The race trophies and certificates were presented by the Mayor of Caernarfon Town at a ceremony held in the Royal Caernarfon Yacht Club premises. The race organisers are indebted for help and assistance that the local community gives them each year to hold this race.

Jenny Shaw

The starting line-up on Anglesey

Full Straits results - click on the name for a photograph

Pier to Pier Open Water Swim 7th August 2005

The first open swimming race from Beaumaris Pier to Bangor Pier was held on Sunday August 7th in ideal weather and sea conditions (last years was a closed pilot event). A large crowd assembled to watch the 17 swimmers, with their accompanying kayaks, leave the beach by Beaumaris Pier. The Deputy Mayor of Beaumaris and his wife were on the beach to encourage the swimmers as they started their 2 mile swim.

The clear leader of the field throughout the race was 22 year old Claire Wilson from Bethesda, who swims for Wrexham Swimming Club. Her winning time of 45 minutes 50 seconds was 3 minutes ahead of the rest of the field. She was greeted and congratulated on her performance by the Mayor of Bangor, councillor Geraint Huws Roberts.

The fine weather drew many spectators to Bangor Pier and they were thrilled by the battle for second and third place. Stel Farrar (Arfon Masters Swimming Club) from Dinorwic produced a final sprint to the finish to take second place in a time of in 48 min. 45 sec. Nicholas Robinson from Liverpool had kept pace with Stel but had to settle for third place with a time of 48 min. 54 sec.

The first swimmer aged over 50 was Mike Dilworth (Arfon Masters) from Rhosybol who finished 4th in a time of 51 min. and 24 sec.

The Mayor of Bangor kindly donated a shield for the winning swimmer, Claire Wilson and the following other trophies were presented:

1st female under 30 years Claire Wilson (Wrexham ASC) 0:45.50
1st male under 30 years Nicholas Robinson (Liverpool ASC) 0:48.54
1st female 30 to 49 years Stel Farrar (Arfon Masters ASC) 0:48.45
1st male 30 to 49 years Dafydd Jones (Arfon Masters ASC) 0:58.05
1st female 50 year and over Louise Jones (Arfon Masters ASC) 0:59.57
1st male 50 year and over Mike Dilworth (Arfon Masters ASC) 0:51.24

Arfon Masters Swimming Club, race organisers, intend to hold this race annually and hope that it will build a reputation that will attract swimmers from across Great Britain. The success of Sunday’s race would not have been possible without the help and support that was given by local organisations such as Beaumaris Lifeboat Station, Snowdonia Canoe Club, St. John’s Ambulance and Bangor and Beaumaris town councils. All the swimmers wish to thank the many kayakers and local boatmen that donated their time and effort to accompany them.

The race received grants from Gwynedd County Council and Bangor Town Council and the gift of safety equipment from Beaumaris Town Council.

Jenny Shaw

Full Pier to Pier results

Welsh Open, Swansea, April 30th and May 1st, 2005. Four Arfon swimmers competed in the Welsh Open this year thus helping the club go for Performance Level 1 Star in the Dragon Mark ratings. By all accounts they had a great week-end and came home with plenty of medals for their efforts. Congratulations to all and especially to Mike Dilworth who achieved a Welsh Record for the 400m IM with a time of 7m 26secs. The mixed team of 200 years also came away with 2 gold medals; 1 for the mixed medley and 1 for the mixed free. Mair Martin managed 1gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. Jan Albin got 4 golds. Baz Owen an amazing 5 golds and 1 silverwhile Mike Dilworth achieved 3 golds and 3 silvers. Well done to all.

Manchester Aquatic Centre - 50m training.

On Saturday, 23rd April, 11 Arfon members made the trip to Manchester Aquatic Centre to experience an hours training session in the 50m Commonwealth pool at Manchester. Jenny came to keep us working and we all had a great day out! We didn't just swim, of course, as we also managed to fit in some shopping, a wander round the centre and a restaurant meal before returning. A great occasion to have a try at a 50m pool and to get to know other Masters members a little better. It was such a success that we hope to repeat the trip again before too long.

Arfon Masters have attained Dragon Mark status - the first club in North Wales to achieve this! It has been awarded to us by WASA in recognition of the standard at which the club operates. There was a presentation at the NWASA executive meeting on 23rd May which Jenny, Mair, Sue and Christine attended and also another at Bangor pool on 31st May which was open to all Arfon members. Seven Arfon Masters swimmers make it to the top ten GB rankings! Mair, Lynn, Jan, Mike Dilworth, Helen Hughes, Baz and Edna.

Other Results (Microsoft Word Documents)
BLDSA One Hour Postal Swim
Welsh Open 2005
Arfon Masters 2004 Great Britain Top Ten listed Swimmers