National Age Groups Open Water Championships

27th August 2005

Holme Pierrepont (The National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham) hosted the National Age Groups Open Water Championships on Saturday 27^th August.  Nottingham was a very congested City that day as just down the road from Holme Pierrepont the 4^th Ashes Test was being played.

Matthew Henry(15)Kelly College, taking part in his first Open Water Championships, played his part in the race of the day, along with Matthew Vyse(16)of Hatfield Swimming Club who was the reigning Champion, having won the 13/14 year age group for two years and last year winning the 15/16 year age group.

This year, for the first time, the swim was to be straight down the lake, the lake being 2000m long and the 15/16 year age group had 1750m to swim.  This was great for the spectators as they could walk along side the swimmers, encouraging them on.  For the swimmers it was not so good as they were swimming against the flow of the lake and the wind, which meant that times would be slower than previous years.

The two Matthews swam the 1750m side by side all the way, first one slightly ahead and then the other, it was riveting watching, but in the end it was the older stronger experienced boy who took the touch in 22.34.9 with Matthew Henry of Kelly College just .7 behind in 22.35.6.

Matthew is now having a well deserved rest before starting training again at the beginning of September when school starts back.

Luke Osborne, a new member to Kelly College was also in the same race, placing 8^th just over 2 minutes behind the winner.