IT was much colder than Meadowlands Swimming Pool at Tavistock but four members of Tavistock Swimming Club bravely took part in the Devon Open Water Competition, which took place at Oddicombe Beach, Torquay.

On a calm and dry evening, Kieran Rookes, Pete Jarman and James Anderson, all aged 15 and Emily Attfield,14) competed in the Junior Competition — ages 12 to 16— which involved swimming one loop of Oddicombe Bay for a distance of 1,500m.

For the three boys it was their first venture into this different aspect of competitive swimming.

A total of 18 swimmers competed in the junior sections, in which all the swimmers start together just offshore. All four swimmers produced very good swims.

First Tavistock swimmer home was Kieran Rookes, who was just touched into fourth place and the first 15-year-old boy home.

Pete Jarman was next to finish in seventh place, followed closely by Emily Attfield, who was also the first junior girl home and won the gold medal. James Anderson also produced a good swim to finish eleventh.

Well done to these swimmers for trying this alternative form of swimming and producing their good results.

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