News

Osborne retains title at home meet (Diss Otters Open 2008)

Swimmers from across the region descended on Diss Swim and Fitness Centre on Sunday for Diss Otters' 13th annual open meet. The excitement reached a peak during the 50m open 'skins' event, with the six fastest competitors from the 50m freestyle heats competing in a stamina-sapping elimination event over five quick fire 50m freestyle races.

The host club were well represented with four swimmers in the boys event (Liam Osborne, Jamie Rush, Liam Harvey and Ben Sweeting) and five swimmers in the female event (Hattie Miller, Maya Harris, Hannah Blades, Sophie King and Elly Osborne).

The boys event came down to a final between Liam Osborne and Jamie Rush, with Osborne winning to retain the title.

In the female event, Hattie Miller took first place in the first four rounds but was narrowly beaten by Lauren Burton (Dereham Otters) in the final.

The meet produced some high quality swimming throughout and numerous personal best times were set.

Otters who won events in their individual age groups were: Girls: A Waterfield (50m free, 100m IM, 50m breast, 50m back); H Blades (50m free, 50m back, 50m fly, 100m IM); K Nash (50m back, 50m fly); M Harris (50m free, 100m IM, 50m breast); S King (50m breast); H Miller (50m free, 50m breast, 50m back, 50m fly, 100m IM); K Bull (50m free, 50m breast); D Thornton (50m back, 50m fly, 100m IM).

Boys: A Leeder (50m fly); B Sweeting (50m free, 50m fly, 100m IM, 50m breast); W Dickinson (50m free); J King (50m fly, 100m IM, 50m breast); J Braithwaite (50m free, 50m back, 50m fly); R Hargrave (50m breast); L Osborne (50m free, 50m back, 50m fly, 100m IM); J Rush (50m free, 50m breast, 50m back, 50m fly, 100m IM).

Race Report: Kevin Osbourne 09/11/2008

ASA's National Masters & Senior Age Groups Championships - 24/25/26 Oct 2008

More than 1,000 swimmers around the UK headed to Ponds Forge in Sheffield last weekend for the ASA's National Masters & Senior Age Groups Championships. Seven Diss Otters members swam against tough competition over the weekend producing some excellent times and national places.

Jamie Rush in the 19/24 age group swum in the 50m Front in a time of 26.72 and was placed 27th, 200m Back in a time of 2.27.50 and was placed 6th & 100m Front in a time of 58.74 and was placed 36th.

Katie Bull in the 25/29 age group swum in the 50m Front in a time of 30.57 and was placed 18th, 400m Front in a time of 5.21.93 and was placed 11th &100m Fly in a time of 1.18.95 and was placed 15th

Dawn Pretty in the 40/44 age group swum in the 50m Front in a time of 31.84 and was placed 11th, 200m Brst in a time of 5.19.10 and was placed 4th, 50m Brst in a time of 39.76 and was placed 3rd & 100m Brst in a time of 1.32.37 and placed 5th

Dina Thornton in the 45/49 age group swum in the 4x100m Individual Medley in a time of 6.36.07 and was placed 3rd

Adam Lelean in the 45/49 age group swum in the 800m Front in a time of 10:22.04 and was 6th, 1500m Front in a time of 19:34.43 and was placed 15th, 400m Front in a time of 5.02.80 and was placed 5th & 4x100m Individual Medley in a time of 5.47.48 and was placed 5th

Vall Bull in the 45/49 age group swum in the 50m Front in a time of 37.93 and was placed 18th, 50m Brst in a time of 51.10 and was placed 14th & 100m Front in a time of 1.30.56 and was placed 17th

Sally Lelean in the 55/59 age group swum in the 100m I.M in a time of 1:51.96 and was placed 6th, 50m Back in a time of 52.79 and was placed 4th, 200m Brst in a time of 4.12.97 and was placed 5th, 100m Back in a time of 1.51.73 and was placed 5th, 200m Back in a time of 3.52.08 and was placed 4th & 100m Brst in a time of 2.00.47 and was placed 4th.

Well done to those who swam and a great weekend had by all Diss Otters Masters. If any adults fancy a go at swimming then we do have some spaces for those that would like to give it a go. Call Vall Bull on 01379 740518 for further details.

Race Report: Len Pheonix - Shirley Bull 26/10/2008

Round Norfolk Sponsored swim - Challenge smashed by Otters

A through the night, 200 mile, continuous 12 hour swim was the challenge set for Diss Otters Swimming Club hoping to raise £5,000 to purchase knew kit for the club and coaches.

85 of the Otters collectively swum 220 miles, which is 14,201 lengths against the target of 12,872. Even a handful of parents braved the waters of the night to help with the target.

Top performers were Hannah Blades who completed 672 lengths and Jamie Rush who not only completed 1014 lengths but triumphantly swum for the duration of the event.

Without the support of local businesses Diss Otters would struggle to get close to raising enough funds to purchase new kit. A big thank you to Cyprium Motorsport Ltd, Eras Ltd, Gillings of Diss, Keith Day Architects, Midwich Ltd, Michaels Mowers Ltd, Norwich & Peterborough, SP Blades Landscapes & Simmonds Coaches who very kindly donated money towards our target.

Our extended thanks goes to Tesco's who sponsored us by refueling the swimmers with Lucozade & Poweraid drinks and Delmonte for lots of fresh Banana's which physically helped our swimmers in their challenge. Morrissons provided us some food items which were kindly received. Also to Diss Trophy Centre who sponsored us three trophies for Boy & Girls Top Performers and Overall Best Fundraiser.

We are in the process of collecting sponsorship money and totaling up will be in the next few weeks.

Well done to those that helped on the night, who were all dressed in T-Shirts donated by Strip-Tees of Stradbroke – the event could not have taken place without the organizers, counters, swimmers and Diss Swim & Fitness Centre staff for helping to make our event such a success.

Race Report: Shirley Bull 10/10/2008

Lowestoft Pier to Pier sea race 2008

The Otters also sent a squad of 18 swimmers to compete in the annual Lowestoft Pier to Pier sea race.

A total of 84 people took part in the event in which swimmers race from South Pier to Claremont Pier, a distance of just over 1,000m.

Dina Thornton took the honours in the ladies veteran's category, winning in a time of 17 mins 6secs.

Osborne was the first Otter to finish the course, in a time of 14.09, to take sixth place in the men's open age group. He was closely followed by Adam Lelean, 45, (14.51) who finished second in the men's veterans category and Jamie Rush (14.59) who was seventh in the men's open age group.

Also completing the course were Len Phoenix (16.08), Liam Harvey (16.09), Mike Hoy (17.07), Carly Rose (20.00), Rachel Barmby (20.27), Martin Hayes (30.35), Anna Parsons (33.04), Laura Hayden (33.06), Emily Lutkin (33.06), Jack Braithwaite (33.10), Maya Harris (36.17), Molly Braithwaite (36.18) and Nicky Braithwaite (36.18).

Unfortunately, Bethany Palmer, 11, failed to complete the course, although full credit must be given to her for attempting the course on what was a wet and windy day.

Race Report: Kevin Osbourne 3/08/2008

East Region and Norfolk County Open Water swimming championships 2008

Diss Otters took a break from their usual pool competitions to try out open water and sea swimming.

Both disciplines are usually the forte of tri-athletes, however, the Otters exceeded all expectations to claim a clutch of medals.

The combined East Region and Norfolk County Open Water swimming championships were held at Whitlingham Lakes, Norwich with the competition held over four separate distances ranging from 800m to 5,000m.

Diss Otters head-coach Katie Bull won both regional and county gold in the ladies 1,500m event for her age group.

In the same event, Jamie Rush won Norfolk gold and east region bronze in his age group and Carly Rose, 12, won Norfolk gold.

In the 5,000m event, Ryan Hargrave swam for a gruelling 100 minutes to claim Norfolk gold and east region bronze in his age group.

Liam Osborne won Norfolk county age group gold in the 3,000m swim.

In the 800m race, Rachel Barmby, 15, won Norfolk gold in her age group.

In the 12 year age group, there was a Norfolk silver medal for Emily Lutkin.

Katie Nash, Elly Osborne and Laura Hayden also completed the course.

In the team event, which combined the best times from the four distances, the Otters (Nash, Rush, Osborne and Hargrave) finished sixth.

Race Report: Kevin Osbourne 20/07/2008

Swim Festival - Diss - 12th April 2008

In association with ActiveNorfolk and South Norfolk District Council

Are you aged between 7 - 12 and enjoy swimming? Are you interested in seeing what club swimming could offer you? Then come along to our swim festival! The festival is run by the local swimming clubs and is a fun and enjoyable introduction into the club environment. You will get a chance to improve your technique and skills as well as entering fun races.

The festival is aimed at swimmers who can complete 25m front and back of a recognisable stroke but who do not currently swim for a club. Places are limited and are offered on a first-come first-served basis. The cost is just £1 which is payable on the day. Parents are invited to stay during the festival.

Or, Complete this form
and send to Sue Alden, Active Norfolk, Turner Road Centre, Turner Roadm Norwich, NR2 4HB

Or, call ActiveNorfolk on 01603 697011

Norfolk Counties Relay Report - 8th April 2008

Diss Otters rounded off this year's Norfolk County Swimming Championships in style. Having already won 26 individual medals, the Otters added 3 more medals at this weekend's County Relay Gala which was held in the 50m pool at the UEA Sportspark, Norwich.

The men's senior relay squad (Liam Osborne, Steve Dungar, Jamie Rush, Remi Stockwell) swam superbly to exceed all expectations and win silver in the 4x50m medley relay. The same squad then followed up their medley success with a bronze medal in the men's senior 4x50m freestyle relay.

There was also a well deserved silver medal for the 11/12 year old boys squad (Russell Hatton, Toby Boom, Andrew Johnson, Robbie Arnold) in the 4x50m medley relay. The same squad were unlucky not to equal their senior counterparts when they narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in finishing fourth in the 4x50m freestyle relay.

Two other Otter squads gained top six finishes during the gala. The girls 11/12 year old squad (Katie Nash, Elly Osborne, Emily Lutkin, Hannah Blades, Anna Parsons) finished fourth in the 4x50m medley relay and fifth in the 4x50m freestyle relay. There was also an excellent swim from the 9/10 year old girls (Chloe Hayes, Alice Waterfield, Caitlin Davy, Georgia Edwards) when they finished sixth in the 4x50m special relay.

Race Report: Kevin Osborne 07/04/2008

Norfolk County Championships Report - 17th March 2008

Diss Otters have enjoyed the most successful Norfolk County Swimming Championships in their history with 3 newly crowned county champions, 8 gold, 7 silver, 11 bronze and a further 29 top six finishes. Competing against the best swimmers from across the county, the Otters proved that, despite the small size of the club when compared to others, they are a serious force when it comes to county competition.

In the boys 15 year age group, Liam Osborne won gold medals in 5 events. He won the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 200m freestyle aswell as the 50m backstroke and 100m backstroke events. Liam also gained two age group silver medals in the 50m butterfly and 200m backstroke. Liam's efforts were good enough to also earn him bronze medals in the junior championship 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke events. He also reached the men's senior championship final in the 50m backstroke event where he finished sixth.

9 year old Ben Sweeting enjoyed a memorable first county championships winning gold in both the 50m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke events. Ben's efforts were all the more remarkable in that he broke his age group county championship record for both events. Ben also won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle, and bronze in the 200m freestyle event.

The Otters other newly crowned county champion is 13 year old Hattie Clarke who won gold in the 100m Individual Medley event. Hattie also won silver in the 50m freestyle event and bronze medals in the 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke events.

There were two silver medals for Katie Nash in the very competitive 12 year old girls age group. Katie won silver in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly events. 11 year old Jordan King also swam superbly to win a silver in the stamina sapping 1500m freestyle.

Bronze medal winners included Russell Hatton (11 years - 1500m freestyle), Gabrielle Putt (13 years - 50m butterfly), Alice Waterfield (10 years - 50m breaststroke) and Toby Boom (11 years - 50m breaststroke). 17 year old Steve Dungar reached the men's senior championship final in the 50m breaststroke event and won a superb bronze medal.

Jordan King, Toby Boom, Ben Sweeting, Russell Hatton, Hattie Clarke, Katie Nash, Gabrielle Putt and Alice Waterfield also gained top six placings in other events in addition to their top three finishes. Other Otters who gained top six finishes were Ryan Hargrave, Andrew Johnson, Sophie King and Adam Waters. Emily Lutkin was very unlucky not to join them, narrowly missing out on a place in the final of the 11 year old 100m freestyle final after finishing 2nd in a swim-off for the last qualifying position.

Completing the Otters squad for the championships were Hannah Blades, Carly Rose, Chloe Hayes, Kirsten Putt, Anna Parsons, Katie Bull, Caitlin Davy, Emily Waterfield, Ryan Waters and Adam Lelean and whilst individually they did not gain top six placings, their personal efforts and support for the team proved invaluable.

Race Report: Kevin Osborne 17/03/2008