RTW Masters Swimming Club won their 10th successive Kent County Championship on Sunday, as the club collected 58 gold medals.
Serial winners for the club were Lizzie Price, competing in the ladies 40-44 age group, who scooped five gold medals, and Tony Price, also claiming five golds. The latter was competing in the men’s 60-64 age group.
The competition, held at Medway Park in Gillingham, saw RTW finish with over 1,000 points on the board.
Six Kent records were set, too. Jim Pearson claimed two records in the 50 and 100m freestyle, while Ian Thwaites and Tracy Stonehouse also set new county-best times. There were also event-best records and club records set in Gillingham.
Relays also proved a success for the Tunbridge Wells-based club, with 10 gold medals, four silver and two bronze awards collected. Seven club records were broken in the process.
The victory was a special milestone for the club’s coach, Ted Valder, who’d had his eyes on number 10 since its previous victory 12 months ago. Valder was also awarded the club’s Big Splash trophy for his contribution to RTW’s achievements.
After lifting the trophy, Valder said, “I am immensely proud of all the swimmers, not just the ones today, but all of those who have competed over the last 10 years. It’s such a great achievement for the club and one I don’t think will be beaten for a long, long time, if ever.
“it’s been a big wish of mine to see the club take 10 in a row, so now that we have I can celebrate tonight knowing everybody involved put their all in to it. Everybody deserves a rest now… though I expect to see them at training next week.”