Kingfishers continue upward curve at Christmas Splash

The last swimming event of 2023 saw Kingsbridge Kingfishers swimmers gain medals and personal bests. 

The last swimming event of 2023 saw fifteen swimmers from Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club attempt to gain more qualifying times for the Devon County Championships in January. Several great swims led to a stocking-full of new qualification times.

Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club team 

In a meet of firsts, Faye Morris won her first ever gold medal and a special award, while Oliver McKinlay won his qualification at the last possible moment.

Faye’s victory came in the 200 IM, one of seven big Personal Bests (PBs) she secured at the event. Recognising her strong swimming and great attitude, she was awarded ‘best junior girl’ by hosts Plymouth Leander. 

For Oliver, it looked like being a meet of near misses in search of his first ever county time. Yet in his final race he produced a brilliant 50 Freestyle to sneak under the mark, capping a remarkable rise from bronze squad member to county swimmer in less than eight months.

Joining Faye as gold medalists were Ethan Clack in the 50 and 200 Breaststroke, and Emilia McKinlay in the 100 Freestyle. Ethan managed 6 PBs out of six, while Emilia achieved five out of six. 

Though the best rate of PBs was achieved by Chloe Morris. She achieved an amazing 10 PBs out of 10 swims. Seven of those PBs were South West regional times, three were Kingfishers club records and two led to gold medals in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke.

Chloe will seek to add her first ever county championship medals to her growing list of successes in the new year.

There were more great swims in the Breaststroke events, with Danny Clack and Oliver Douglas qualifying for counties with big PBs. Jack Sagar dropped his 200 Breaststroke time by two seconds to secure another county time, while Lexie Gomm swam a brilliant 100 Butterfly PB to qualify herself to that event. 

There were also PBs in the meet for Sophie and Gracie White, Lucas Quiggin, Fabiano Noto and Jess Stewart.

The County Championships begin in January, with Kingsbridge managing over 70 entries for the prestigious event in an Olympic sized pool. The event will begin with a team competition, which Kingsbridge will enter for the first time since 2020.

Want to get into swimming? Contact our head coach Karen using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, including our next club trials.