REDDITCH Swimming Club captains Paul Wilkes and Laura Cranshaw once again led by example as they set new British records at the British Masters Championships at Wales National Pool in Swansea.
Wilkes won gold in the 200m butterfly as he created a new British record in the men’s 35-39 age group, beating the previous record of 2mins, 12.86secs which had stood for 19 years by three seconds.
Cranshaw was part of the Birmingham Masters relay team which won gold and set a new British record. She swam the breaststroke leg of the 4x100m medley relay and helped the team to produce a time more than three seconds quicker than the previous mark.
Meanwhile, new equipment at Redditch Swim Club is helping the club move forward.
The new purchases will help develop competitive swimmers of all ages and Anna Farr is pictured demonstrating the new backstroke wedge, which is used to help give the swimmers confidence when performing a backstroke start.
Redditch SC workforce co-ordinator Paul Hartland said: “They are in used in competitions at various venues around the country and buying the wedges for the club allows swimmers to regularly train with the equipment.
“The wedges help provide grip for the swimmer’s feet to stop them slipping down the wall. Without using them regularly in training, swimmers may fall foul of rules about how they are used.
“The club has also purchased an action camera to video swimmers when on the surface and under the water. This will allow the coaches to view, debrief and fine tune swimmer’s strokes and actions.
“Every 100th of a second counts and video analysis is a new approach for the club.”
Both the backstroke wedges and the action camera are part-funded by grants from Worcester County Swimming Association and Persimmon Homes.
