Recent Success for Hailsham Swimmers

European Masters medals for Craig in Rome

Hailsham Masters swimmer Craig Steenhoff returned from the European Masters Swimming Championships in Rome with a silver, bronze and 4^th place position in his three swims in the 40-44yrs age category. Building on his success of two gold medals from the British Masters Champs in Aberdeen in June, Craig knocked huge chunks off his times in the 200m butterfly for silver in 2.18.0 and bronze in the 100m butterfly in 1.01.0. His 200m Individual medley swim of 2.22.4 gained him 4^th place. This was the first international competition that Craig had participated in, after many years of success at masters level in Britain. Craig is now taking a small break from competitions and is currently assisting with coaching at Hailsham Swimming Club through his new role of Director of Swimming.   

Success for Hailsham Swimmers at National, Regional and County Level

Hailsham Swimming Club was represented by Ben Shorthouse at the England Nationals Summer Meet in Sheffield with Ben swimming best times in all three of his events, qualifying for finals and swimming amazingly to gain 4^th place in the Boys 17 years 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke. Earlier in the year at the South East Regional Championships Ben was joined by Libby Weston and Olivia Dolan, where Olivia made finals in the 12 years age group. Olivia has now been selected as part of the South East swimming pathway, joining a group of 12 year old talented swimmers across the region. This also recognised her success earlier in the year when she won 9 golds in 50, 100 and 200m freestyle, 50, 100 and 200m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 200 and 400m Individual Medley, at the 2022 Sussex Championships. The Club’s 12/13yr girls relay team performed exceptionally well at the Sussex Champs gaining gold in the 4x50m medley team and bronze in the freestyle relay. Huge congratulations to Olivia Dolan, Libby Weston, Elizabeth Collis, and Francesca Newble for their amazing achievement.

Senior swimmer Tom Barden who is currently studying at Loughborough University had a very successful Sussex Champs with 4 Senior men’s titles in the 50, 100, 200m backstroke and 100m freestyle. Tom also had major successes at the British Championships and World Champs/Commonwealth Games qualification meet. Tom qualified for the B Final in the Men’s 200m backstroke and set new best times in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle. Tom regularly returns to Hailsham to train with the Performance squads alongside his main training base at Loughborough University.

The Club is currently focusing on the development of its younger swimmers through to performance level. If you are interested in joining a community and family focused Swimming Club then please do contact HSC at [email protected].