SIX Kendal swimmers were involved in regional age group championships at the weekend.

Megan Jones, Elliot Woodburn, Bethan Rowley, James Escolme, Jacob Klijn and Thomas Klijn produced fabulous efforts throughout the meet. In the under 13s,Woodburn reigned supreme taking double gold at 50m and 200m breaststroke. In the 50m sprint, a great start and transition got him a window of advantage. Staying calm and composed he launched a devastating attack that set him on the path to victory. His powerful stroke pattern enabled him to hold off challengers and into the pressure zone he moved up a gear and drove to the pads for a place in the final with a P.B. of 33.50. The final boiled down to a battle between Woodburn and Copeland’s Finley Quayle. Out of transition they were shoulder to shoulder. Stroke for stroke they headed the field and virtually hitting the pads together it was Woodburn who snatched the gold by a split second for a time of 33.10.

He then took command of the 200m breaststroke. He produced a super swim to qualify for the final in 2:42.15. In the final, he turned on the screws and led the charge for the finish. Hitting the pads in 2:41.12 he took his second gold medal for a remarkable double.

12-year-old James Escolme also qualified for the 50m breaststroke and came out of his start well placed for honours. Working hard over the one length he put in a powerful burst to hit the pads in 3rd place with a P.B. time of 39.33 which booked his place in the final.

Over the first 25m of the final it was neck and neck and anybody’s race. Then the pace hotted up and six of the pack, including Escolme, called on their reserves and they gave everything they had before hitting the wall in a storming finish they all finished in 38.00secs. It then came down to the electronics to sort out the order of finish and Escolme found himself placed 6th with a lifetime best of 38.98. Brothers Jacob and Thomas Klijn both gave performances to be proud of. Jacob took on the 200m breaststroke and gave the usual great account of himself with a time of 3:03.48.

Thomas acquitted himself well with a superb effort in the gruelling 400m individual medley. He gave a display of the top order and finished in 10th place with a time of 5:37.49.

Rowley also qualified for this event and she too showed how skilful she has become at putting all strokes together, finishing in 14th place in 5:58.69. She went on to produce a brilliant P.B. with her sprinting where she powered her way to 14th place in 38.89.

Jones was at her best and opening her account with the 50m Breaststroke she got in the mix and in a close finish took 11th place in 37.12. She produced another fine effort to finish 9th in the 400 Individual Medley and a top quality time of 5:39.76. The 200 Breaststroke saw her produce her best results of the meet when she swam her heat with skill and finished 4th in the final.