Blenheim swimmers shine at short course champs

Forty-three swimmers from the Blenheim Swimming Club competed at the recent annual Swimming Nelson Marlborough Short Course Championships.

The BSC contingent were among 115 participants from across the region who gathered at Stadium 2000 on 15-16 August.

One of the top swimmers on show was 11-year-old Riley Guildford who once again showcased his style, determination and burgeoning talent.

Riley broke five Swimming Nelson Marlborough records across the weekend, swimming the 200m and 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke, and 200m individual medley faster than any 11-year-old swimmer from Nelson Marlborough had previously achieved.

His record-breaking performances also saw Riley take out the one-prize bounty for the biggest percentage margin of a record broken, finishing a whopping 2.91 percent faster than the previous record in the 400m freestyle - the record having stood since February 2018.

Riley also took home the 11–12-year-old boys’ age-group trophy, recognising his impressive all-round performance across the meet.

Seventeen-year-old Nicola Lovell, also from BSC, was another standout. Nicola again achieved the highest points total for the 15-years-and-over female category and added another record to her achievements, breaking the Swimming Nelson Marlborough age group and open record in the 100m individual medley.

Overall, the BSC contingent produced a huge number of medals and outstanding performances across all age groups.

Local administrators said, “the results are a fantastic indication that swimming in the Nelson Marlborough region is looking very promising, with young swimmers continuing to develop and achieve at a high level.

“The Blenheim Swimming Club would like to thank the Swimming Nelson Marlborough community, Stadium 2000, technical officials, volunteers, coaches, supporters and families who helped make the weekend such a success.”