News

It has been a busy few weeks for Warrender swimmers competing in international waters. In June, Stirling ITC members Lewis Smith and Billy Purnell , and SPS swimmer Ewan Johnston took part in a training camp in Barcelona before competing in the Barcelona and Canet legs of the Mare Nostrum Series. The two meets provided a good opportunity for race practice for the three boys as they began their preparations for a busy summer ahead.

Marnie Stewart and Jennifer Davis have been experimenting in the open waters of France with Stewart taking part in a British Swimming Open Water Camp in early June. It was Stewart’s first taste of open water racing, and she enjoyed learning about racing outside of the pool over longer distances. Davis then headed off to France with the Scottish Open Water Squad earlier in July, taking part in three 5km races over the course of the week. Davis won against a strong French field in her third 5km race when she competed in the French Cup in Carcans Maubuisson, near Bordeaux.

Also forging ahead in Open Water events, Craig Hamilton took part in the 5k event at the European Junior Championships in Porec, Croatia. In his first ever 5k swim, Hamilton finished an impressive 4th, just 3 seconds behind the bronze medallist. From Croatia, Hamilton travelled to Prague, Czech Republic, to contest the 400m, 1500m and 800m Freestyle events at the European Junior Championships. Hamilton finished 19th, 10th and 11th respectively, setting a new lifetime best in the 800m Freestyle (8:13.21).

Hamilton is now in Ostia, Italy, where he set to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in the 10k Open Water event. This will be Hamilton’s toughest challenge yet, with big surf and high winds forecast for race day (22nd July).

Craig Benson has now arrived in Tampere, Finland, where on Tuesday (21st July) he will swim his first race at the European Youth Olympics. Benson will contest the 100 and 200 Breaststroke as well as swimming the Breaststroke leg in the Medley Relay.

Lastly, Lewis Smith is currently in Sardinia with the British Gas World Championship team, finishing off his preparations at the team holding camp. Smith will take part in the 400 Individual Medley on the last day of the Championships in Rome (2nd August).

It certainly has been a busy time abroad for these Warrender swimmers!