MORE than twenty swimmers from Kendal made the trip to the west coast to compete in an Open Graded Gala organised by Blackpool Swimming Club.

James Escolme, 10, once again had a highly-successful couple of days winning a gold, two silvers and two bronze medals.

His gold came from a brilliant swim in the 200m backstroke where he got a great start and set a relentless pace. Full of confidence into his turns he used his superior underwater work to come out of transition and forge ahead. Into the pressure zone he moved up a gear to come through for a comfortable win.

Hi picked up silvers in similarly impressive style in the 50m butterfly and 200m individual medley, with bronze awards in 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle.

Jake Klijn was very impressive and though just missing out on a winners medal launched attack after attack in the 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley. Despite his constant challenges and outstanding swims he had to settle for the silver medals in both events.

Bethan Rowley, 12, also got in among the minor awards with a trio of bronze medals in the 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, and 200m breaststroke.

Nine-year-old Mathew Gibson also shone in Blackpool, taking it on in the 200m breaststroke and giving his all to put himself in a position to claim a well-earned silver medal. Hard on his heels came Jake Gibson and Chloe Westmorland with some fabulous swims that got them both in the mix for medals.

The ever present Tommy Klijn gave a fine display of his ability at middle distance events taking bronze at 200m backstroke and the 200m individual medley.

More solid swims which were to bring bronze medals came from Freya Capstick – 100m individual medley; Adam Stansfield – 200m breaststroke; Luke Atkinson – 200m freestyle; Elodie Malcolm – 50m freestyle; and Keira Nelson – 100m breaststroke.