Nipper and Junior National Stillwater Championships

Members of Hayle Surf Life Saving Club are used to facing the elements and whatever the weather throws at them but the weekend of 7th and 8th of February 2009 was definitely an exception. Luckily the Nipper and Junior National Stillwater Championships were taking place indoors in the 50 metre swimming pool at Millfield School at Street in Somerset. The problem was getting there with the whole of the South West from Bodmin upwards covered with a blanket of snow! Not to be deterred 24 Nippers and 13 Juniors with their parents and supporters battled there way to the competition through a Winter Wonderland. The journey was worthwhile as both teams came away with more medals and points than last year. The Nippers repeated their 4th place overall but improved their medal tally with 6 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze with every member of the team contributing to the total score of 1,202 points. The Junior team improved their overall placing to 7th and also increased their medal tally to 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronzes and a total score of 455 points with all team members contributing points.
Nipper Team Manager, Traci Parker said “I was delighted with the results, all the team put in 110% effort as usual and every one of them contributed to the overall points score. We were all in two minds about making the trip but once we found out that the championships were going ahead but with a later start time we all decided, after checking the road and weather conditions that we would still attend. Thank you to all the parents for their support and efforts in getting their children to the event. We had a great day with a fantastic result and all the team had fun which is the most important thing.” Junior Team Manager, Dave Morgan added “We have a very good Junior team who are all very enthusiastic and it was great to get another improved result with more points and medals. Well done to them all and thank you to their parents for their support.”
Individual Nipper medal winners were: -8 yr olds: Lily Parsons-Gold in Obstacle race & Silver in Flipper race; Imogen Wood-Gold in Flipper race, Silvers in Obstacle & Manikin race. 10 yr olds: Morva Hughes-Silver in Obstacle race; Sophie Morris-Bronzes in Flipper & Manikin race. 11 yr olds: Liam Jolly-Bronze in Flipper race. 12 yr olds: Brittany Smaldon-Golds in Obstacle & Flipper race; Vicky Burlingham-Bronze in Board race; Bethany Mead-Gold in Manikin race & Bronze in Flipper race.
Paired Nipper event medal winners were: -10 yr olds: Gold in Board Rescue race for Morva Hughes & Sophie Morris. 12 yr olds: Silver in Board Rescue race for Vicky Burlingham & Brittany Smaldon. 13 yr olds-Silver in Rescue Tube race for Ben Hicks & Thomas Wood; Silver in Board Rescue for Ben Hicks & Nick Pearson. Team Nipper event medal winners were: –
Silver in Open Manikin Relay & Bronze in Open Medley Relay for Ben Hicks, Nick Pearson, Jacob Wood & Thomas Wood.
Other team members were: – Niamh Symons, Oakley & Canaan Smitham, Jenna Smitham, Kathyn Onley, Isla Symons, Emmi Atkinson, Liam Moyle, Samantha Trestrail, Bethany Prisk, Tegen Hughes & Ben Tredinnick.
Individual Junior medal winners were: -13 yr olds: Bethany Prisk-Bronze in 100 metre Manikin Carry with Fins. 14 yr olds: Nicola Russell-Silver in 100 metre Obstacle race & Bronze in 100 metre Rescue Medley; Charlotte Sawyer-Bronze in 100 metre Obstacle race.
Team Junior event medal winners were: -Gold in Under 14 4×50 metre Medley Relay for Nicola Russell, Charlotte Sawyer, Lauren Kenchington & Amy Jolly. Other team members were: – Tegen Hughes, Samantha Trestrail, Alice Cutler-Lukes, Thomas Onley, Ben Jolly, Jordan Roberts, Nick Trestrail & Emily Corin.