Kendal swimmers returned to action when their Club staged it’s first Championships Gala of the year in GLL Centre.

Star James Escombe came into his own and dominated the boy’s events.

James came away after winning four of the Championships and setting three new Record Times.

He opened his account with a comfortable victory in the 200m Backstroke. Off to a good start he set the pace, putting himself on the road to success with some outstanding stroke work and immaculate turns. Forging ahead with each length he held off Adam Stansfield and Evan Dart to hit the pads in Club and Championship Record time of 2:12.32.

He moved on to the 100 Breaststroke and he was dominant in both the Gents and Junior Gents showing skill and talent his rivals couldn’t match.

The Junior event saw Lennon Bell in the mix taking bronze with Dart snatching Silver.

The Gents event saw Stansfield in action again and he took Silver ahead of Dart in Bronze. The 50m Butterfly sprint saw Escolme produce another dazzling swim to take the Championship ahead of Stansfield and Mathew Foster in another Championship Record time of 27.96.

Turning to the younger boys the 10yrs and Under 100 Breaststroke Championship had Elliot Dart, Adam Wojtacki and Alex Wood battling it out for honours Dart and Wojtacki went ahead and were shoulder to shoulder and giving their all.

They stormed through the pressure zone, hitting the pads together with Dart just getting a finger tip win.

The next category gave 13yr old Max Whitehead a comfortable victory in a time of 1:27.66 ahead of Jake Smith and Jarno Stander.

Finlay Fitzgerald and Alex Wood both gave pleasing and exciting displays in the 50m Butterfly where Fitzgerald managed to hold off his challenger to take victory in 1:06 41.

The boys completed their programme with Harry Atkinson taking gold ahead of Kai Stander in the 25m Freestyle.

The girls were also in great form and led by Chloe Westmorland completing a double in both Ladies and Junior Ladies 100m Breaststroke made it a true family affair with Dad Neil, himself a former swimmer, Champion, Teacher and Coach presenting Chloe with her well earned trophies.

Her swim was immaculate, setting the pace and showing concentration, skill and talent pulled ahead of Kate Collin and Annie Bottomley.

All attacks were met with a further injection of pace which kept her well clear right to the finish. Bottomley went on to produce a swim from the gods at 50m Butterfly to touch out Molly Moran and Emma Duxbury in a blanket finish.

Moran however then turned to Backstroke and demonstrated what a worthy champion she is at this stroke.

A powerful start in the 200m race saw her settle into her stroke pattern and from then on length by length she forged away from Duxbury and Charlotte Stainer for a fantastic win.

Another terrific result was produced by Ellisa Kinley who took gold in the 100 Breaststroke ahead of Lianne Rairata and Ava Saunders.

Indie Brookes completed an outstanding double gold at 100 Breaststroke and 50 Butterfly, also with 9yr old Esmay Dart completing the programme taking the Gold medal for 25m Freestyle ahead of Orlaith Treacy and Megan Turner.