CREDITON and District Swimming Club’s year started off with Darren Beer competing in the Shrewsbury Gala on January 8 where he had to swim five races – one in each of the strokes and an individual medley.

Points were awarded for each race and Darren won four of his races and gained a third in another. This was enough for him to clinch his age group having competed against 13 others to win the prestigious Shrewsbury Masters Travel Mug.

The second competition took place in Saltash on January 23 at the second annual Caradon Masters. Two swimmers competed in three races each – Darren Beer gaining first place in all of his races and Matt Hockin gaining two firsts and a third.

The third competition took place on March 5 and 6 with Matt Hockin, Emma Hockin and Darren Beer competing in the British Gas Swim Wales Open Masters Championship at the Welsh National Pool in Swansea.

With more than 300 swimmers this was the biggest Welsh Masters ever, including many ex-international swimmers and current masters champions and record holders.

The Crediton swimmers managed to amass six medals between them – Darren Beer gaining one silver and three bronze and Emma Hockin gaining two silvers.

The next competition was the Cornish Masters on May 7 in Bodmin. Darren Beer and Matthew Hockin competed and came away with six firsts and a second.

The Navy Masters were held at Millfield School on May 15 where Daniel Mather achieved a first, a second, and a third.

All of these galas helped in the lead up to the European Championships which were held from May 24 to 26 at the Aqua Centre in London. Darren Beer and Matthew Hockin competed and the club is currently awaiting the results.