One of our swimmers, 12 year old Mollie Smith has notched up a regional-standard time.

Mollie, from Roughton near Cromer, crashed through the 100metres freestyle qualifying time by just 0.06 seconds – finishing in 1 minute 7.92 seconds.

She managed the feat during the City of Peterborough Open Meet last weekend. It means she has qualified to swim in the ASA East Region Championships in Norwich, June.

Mollie said: “I was really amazed. I was hoping to swim a personal best but I turned round in the pool and saw I’d got a regional time. I couldn’t believe it.”

Mollie is only the third current North Norfolk Viking swimmer to get a regional time – and Head Coach Chris Searle is overjoyed.

“We’re all proud of Mollie,” said Chris. “To swim a regional time is a very big achievement indeed. “She will inspire some of our up and coming swimmers to improve their competition times even more.”

Hannah Cooper, 13, from Aylsham, is also training for the regional Championships, hoping to qualify before June.

North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club is celebrating success in the British Gas County Championships 2013, held at over four weekends in February and March.

An incredible 89 personal best times were smashed by the young Vikings swimmers, making this year’s County Championships a landmark event for themselves and the club.

Twenty seven club swimmers entered 132 swims and managed to get through to 24 finals in total and achieved 44 top sixes. Seven swimmers were placed first in their heats, five were placed second and eight were placed third.

Among the Vikings stars were 15-year old Emily Bowyer from Cromer who won her 50, 200 and 400 metres Freestyle, and 50, 100 and 200 metres Backstroke events.

Adam Crafer, 16, from Aylsham, brought home the silverware for the Men’s Open 200 metres breaststroke.

The Vikings’ Head Coach, Chris Searle, said: “The Club is really proud of all 27 who managed to swim County qualification times and take part in this year’s Championships. We had a number of first timers at the County Championships this year, so we have new blood coming through the ranks to keep the Vikings in contention.

“We have recently restructured our squads to reflect difference levels of ability and our intensive training with the Performance Squad is paying off.”

Other results in the County Championships show an impressive performance by the Vikings:

Hannah Cooper, 13  3^rd in the 9yrs and over 50m Freestyle, 4^th in 11yrs and over 100m Free, 5^th in 9yrs and over 50m Backstroke, 5^th in 11yrs and over 100m Butterfly, 4^th in 9 and over 200m Free, and 5^th in Girls 12yrs old and over: 400m Individual Medley.

Mollie Smith, 12    6^th in the 11 yrs and over 100m Breaststroke, 6^th in the 9yrs and over 50m Free, 5^th in the 9yrs and over 200m Butterfly, 5^th in the 9yrs and over 200m Individual Medley and 5^th in the 11yrs and over 100m Free.

Katie Whitting, 17            3^rd in the 9yrs and over Girls’ 50m Breaststroke, 5^th in the 9yrs and over 200m Breaststroke and 6^th in the 11yrs and over 100m Breaststroke.

Emily Bowyer, in addition to her six wins, was placed 2^nd in the 11 yrs and over 100m Free, 6^th in the Girls’ Open 50m Back, and 6^th in the Girls’ Open 100m Back.

Thomas Curtis, 11           5^th in the 9 yrs and over 50m Back.

Adam Molloy, 10   6^th in the 9yrs and over Boys’ 50m Back.

Adam Crafer, in addition to his 200m win was 6^th in the 100m Back.

Head Coach Chris Searle was placed 3rd in Boys’ 50m Free, 2^nd in Boys’ 50m Open Free, 3^rd in Boys’ 50m Breast and 5^th in the Boys’ Open 50m Breast.

North Norfolk Vikings hold club swimming six days a week at the Victory Swim and Fitness Centre in North Walsham and at Aylsham High School.

The club is opening its books to new swimmers too – or non-swimmers who want to take the plunge and learn to be safe – and have fun – in the water. The Vikings have space in their weekly Learn to Swim sessions and Improver sessions held during term time at Cromer and Aylsham.

For further details, phone Kirsty Smith on 07900 145866  or email dksmithlm@tiscali.co.uk

North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club ended 2012 on a high, with nearly three hundred medals and trophies awarded to its members.

60 children and adults took part in the Vikings’ Club Championships, breaking six club records in the process.

And ninety children from the age of four upwards have been taught to swim.

The Club Championship awards were presented at a packed celebration party in Rossi’s Sports Centre in North Walsham. Our photo shows some of the young members with their awards, surrounding Head Coach, Chris Searle (centre, back)

“It has been a brilliant year for the Vikings,” said outgoing club Chair, Clare Ruff. “We have gone from strength to strength with many more competitive swimmers.

“We have 44 members who have qualified to swim in the Norfolk County Championships in Thetford in March, more than twice as many as last year, so we are thrilled.”

The club aims to offer its members fitness, fun and confidence. It has recently taken on a new Head Coach in 20-year old Chris Searle who has brought many of the youngsters on dramatically.

It is opening its books to new swimmers too – or non-swimmers who want to take the plunge and learn to be safe – and have fun – in the water.

The Vikings have space in their weekly Learn to Swim sessions and Improver sessions held during term time at Cromer and Aylsham.

And they are welcoming new members for club swimming which is held on six days a week in North Walsham and Aylsham.