Co Norwich Swimmers Shine at SE East Region and Norfolk Open Water Championships 2024

Monday 15 July 2024

Sunday 14th July saw the crowds gather at Whittlingham Outdoor Centre for the SE East Region and SE Norfolk Open Water Championships. Co Norwich had swimmers in the 2km, 3km and 5km events.

This year for the first time in a while the water temperature sunk down to 17 degrees so the swimmers all had to wear wetsuits which made it interesting for some who had to suddenly hire wetsuits on the day. Others had planned ahead!

The event started with the 3km swim. City of Norwich were well represented with Isaac Buchan and Austin Taylor landing Gold and Silver medals for the County. Isaac and Austin also came 4th and 5th in the Region – securing their National Open Water qualification. Congratulations! Simon Buchan also won County and Regional Gold in the 50-59 age group – another National Masters Open Water qualification.

In the Women’s 3km Grace Cook won County Gold and 4th place in the Region – another worthy national qualifier. Well done Grace!

Finally, Sarah Buchan secured a County Gold in the Women’s 40-49 age group – the final 3km National Masters Open Water qualifier. Simon and Sarah were both swimming for North Norfolk Vikings.

With all our hardened Open Water swimmers targeting the longer distances we didn’t have a swimmer in the 1km event, but we did have Lawrence Taylor pushing through to win Regional Bronze and County Gold in the 12y age group. In the 13y age group the final Buchan (Noah) secured County and Regional gold, and the whole Buchan family will be heading to National Open Water this year.

In their first Open Water event for some time, Jason and Miranda Taylor both excelled in their events, Jason being awarded County and Regional Gold in the 50-59 age group category, and Miranda taking County silver in her age category (40-49 but closer to 21).

On to the 5km event. This was a tough event thanks to the lovely English summer temperatures and even with a wet suit it was hard going. Even so, Matt Phoenix came back from illness to secure County Gold and a National Qualifying place in the 15y Men’s event; Jessica-Jane Applegate swam her first Open Water event, making the 5km look easy, securing Regional and County Gold in her age group and also qualifying for the National Open Water 7.5km. Brooke Clipsham swam a strong 5km in the 16yr age group to secure County Gold, with Dayna Arbon also swimming her first 5km and securing a County Silver medal in the 17-18 age group. Well done Brooke and Dayna – strong swimming.

Well done to all our swimmers – you definitely Became Your Best and we look forwards to the National event with eager anticipation.

Thank you also to our fabulous Open Water officials – Marianne Phoenix and Joe Mitchell – who helped keep the event running smoothly. Thank you to Paul Kendall for making the event so enjoyable for all involved.

Thanks also to Scooby and Freddie, the County Presidential Mascots!