The best young swimmers in Pembrokeshire took on the cream of Wales over the Easter weekend (30th March to 2nd April) at the Swim Wales Long Course Championships in Swansea. 

Pembrokeshire County Swimming (PCS) grabbed 3 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals over the weekend. The bling was supplemented with lots of personal best times and strong performances to reach finals, against the best age group swimmers in the country.

Sam Jones, assistant development coach at PCS, said: “The weekend was fantastic with great swims across the team. We have developed one of the best age group swim programmes in Wales. PCS has worked hard to develop the best pathway for swimmers across the county, and the results have showed. The results from the weekend have really got people in Wales standing up and taking notice.”

Jones, who is leaving PCS to join Swansea Aquatics as assistant head coach, was given the best leaving present ever as his charges stormed to podium finishes.

Charlotte Whalley bagged two golds in the 50m and 100m backstroke in the 13-14 year age group, plus a silver in the 200m backstroke.

Louisa Twigg of Haverfordwest stormed to gold in the 400 individual medley (IM) in the 17 and over category.

Toby Sturley of Pembroke enjoyed success in the 13-14 age group, seizing two silver medals in the 200 backstroke and 200 breaststroke. He also won bronze in the 100 backstroke.

Sean Barrett secured silver in the 15-16 age 50m breaststroke, plus bronze in the  200m breaststroke.

Henry White of Haverfordwest won silver in the 13-14 age 50m backstroke, plus 3 bronze medals in the 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 200 breaststroke.

Others in the medals were Caera Lewis, who secured bronze in the 11-12 year 200m breaststroke, and Ben Butcher, who grabbed bronze in the 11-12 category in the 200 breaststroke.

PCS is a partnership between Pembrokeshire Council and the county’s six development clubs - Haverfordwest Seals; Fishguard Flyers; Pembroke & District; Milford Tigers; Tenby Dolphins; and Preseli Panthers.

It provides the county’s most promising young swimmers with a recognised development pathway from regional through to national and international competitions.