KENDAL swimmers made the trip to Workington to compete in the opening sessions of the Cumbria age group competitions and County Championships.

Up against the elite of the county the Kendal contingent gave a fantastic performance. Particularly outstanding were the efforts of 15 year old Elliot Woodburn who not only won all eight of the age group events he entered but he then went on to win four County Championships over the two days, a feat never before achieved by a Kendal swimmer.

He got on the scoreboard with a comfortable win in the 200 breaststroke age group then turned it on in the championship final.

He got a good start but was a little off the pace over the first 50 so he upped his stroke rate over the 100 and 150 mark to match Cockermouth’s Ivison.

Out of his turn Woodburn made his bid for glory and moved up a gear and got an advantage Ivison could not match.

Holding his nerve he stormed into the finish hitting the pads in 2:25.23 for the win.

Next in line was his favourite event the 100 breaststroke.

He cruised through the heat stage winning his age group with a fair degree of ease in a time of 1:10.25, but then in the championship final he came up against old opponent, Cockermouth’s Jack Smith.

Both got a great start and set a devastating pace.

But over the first 50 it was Woodburn who got the edge and got his head in front.

Showing outstanding strength and wonderful technique he came out of his turn and transition at 50 and dominated all the way to a brilliant winning finish in 1:05.73.

This effort not only brought him the Mens trophy but the Junior Mens trophy as well.

The 100 Backstroke brought him more success where again having won his age group he qualified for the championship final and as the youngest swimmer in the race was a huge achievement in itself.

Nevertheless he refused to be phased but over the first 50 was a little off the pace. Again he drew on his reserves and made a supreme effort that brought him up into fourth place in 1:01.24 but more pleasing, this took him into first place for the Junior Men’s trophy – a truly outstanding result.

As well as becoming a four times county champion he went on to take the silver medal in the Junior Men’s 100 Freestyle and took the 50 backstroke age group title.