Aquasprint Squad Win First Round v Newry
28 Jan 2024
Aquasprint Squad Win First Round v Newry
The first Aquasprint of the year for the Enniskillen Lakelanders took place on Saturday evening away to Newry & Mourne Swimming & Waterpolo Club at the Newry Leisure Centre. 46 of their younger swimmers born between 2016 and 2011 took to the pool. There was lots of excitement as they headed up the road on the bus and lots of swimming to be had with an eight lane pool awaiting.
The Aquasprint league, sponsored by Forest Feast, is a starting point for the younger swimmers to compete in all strokes in individual and relays over 25m. Aquasprints are a great opportunity for children to build on what they have been learning in the pool with coaches Ben and Claire, adding speed to this and a competitive edge.
First up was the Medley Relays (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly & Freestyle). First up was Group A of Niamh Howell, Molly Kate Brewster, Conor Collins and Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad were convincing winners. Next up was Group B where newbie April Huang joined Clara Leonard, Michael Carron and James McSorley another win for the Lakelanders. Group C of Sophie Hanna, Crea Mullen, Daire Burke and Emmett Coyle again led the way. Group D of Martha McCreesh, Myleene Leonard, Anton Neal and Darragh Collins didn’t let the side down with a clean sweep by the Lakelanders, triggering cheers all around.
First individual event was the Backstroke with lots of 1st and 2nd positions spots for the Lakelanders giving maximum points. These included 1st places for Mollie Kate Brewster, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Michael Carron, Crea Mullen and Martha McCreesh. 2nd places went to Clara Leonard, James McSorley, Sophie Hanna, Daire Burke, Maeve Rolston McAuliffe and Darragh Collins. At the end of the backstroke event Lakelanders had secured another ten points and were leading by 25 points heading into their favoured Breaststroke event.
The Breaststroke events saw the Lakelanders coming first in every single race, the winners included Niamh Howell, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard, Michael Carron, Keira Salcedo, Daire Burke , Jessica Miller and Darragh Collins. This, along with second spots increased the Lakelanders lead to 48 points.
The Butterfly stroke is one of the most difficult swimming strokes so team manager Aideen Speer and coach Ben Wiffen watched on in anticipation to see if the hard work in training was paying off. The Lakelander swimmers did not fail to impress with top spots going to Mollie Kate Brewster, Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard, Michael Carron, Crea Mullen, Daire Burke and Martha McCreesh. Another fantastic round by the Lakelanders stretching their lead to 54 points.
The results are unknown until the end of the gala and the Lakelanders were determined to dominate the last two rounds. The Individual Freestyle event brought firsts for Mollie Kate Brewster , Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad, Clara Leonard Crea Mullen, Daire Burke , Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins. There were second spots for Conor Collins, James McSorley, Sophie Hanna and Mylene Leonard.
Leading by 74 points heading into the final event the Lakelanders had a fair idea they were secure but gave it their all and just lost narrowly on the final relay. But coaches and parents were so proud of them all.
There were many outstanding swimmers on the night right down to Charlie Brewster in his first gala at seven years old and lots of new swimmers who have only joined recently . On the night two boys were our MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers); Jakub Mikievicz Lumayad and Michael Carron, who both secured four firsts in their individual events and were also on two winning relay teams.
When the final result was called out Enniskillen Lakelanders 241 and Newry 159 there was rapturous applause and smiles all around, particularly from Team Captains Martha McCreesh and Darragh Collins.
Coaches Ben Wiffen and Clare Morris were extremely proud of all the swimmers, as were the Aquasprint organisers with wonderful smiles, good behaviour and great swimming along with making friends and having fun. It was a heartwarming bonus for the club to see Head Coach Ben's mum come along to cheer us on too!
Once again thank you also to all the wonderful parents for their help, encouragement and commitment to their children. Without parents these events just don’t happen and the Club’s Chairperson Aideen Speer acknowledged the time, effort and money it takes to give the commitment to swimming, but stated that the benefits in physical and emotional health as well as self-esteem, discipline and team ethics it brings to the young swimmers far outweighs the cost. We are so unsure of our future with the new Lakeland Forum being constructed. We do understand the need but a three to four gap in these kids swimming will be a big loss to this county in terms of swimming excellence sadly.
- 16 Feb 2026Lakelanders take the Lead in Lisburn
A squad of 33 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers attended the Swim Belfast Open Meet on Sunday the 15th of February in Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn. The gala was a great success for the Fermanagh swimmers who relished the opportunity to compete against swimmers from clubs across Ulster, Leinster & Connacht, returned home with numerous medals and personal best times. - 12 Feb 2026Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Sc
Local Swimmers Sparkle for their Schools as Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Schools’ Cup & Championships in Bangor
The Swim Ulster Schools Cup & Championships 2026 took place on Friday 6th February at Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex Bangor. Over 1000 swimmers from more than 130 schools across the province of Ulster took part in the one day event. Three local schools were part of the action with 22 local swimmers taking part. - 01 Feb 2026Young Lakelanders Swim to Success in Belfast
On Saturday 31st January, 13 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club competed in Round 3 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Belfast. The meet attracted over 450 swimmers aged 10–14 from across Ulster, all taking on the more challenging events of Individual Medley (IM), Backstroke and Butterfly.
The Lakelanders squad rose to the occasion, relishing the opportunity to race against strong provincial competition while aiming for personal best performances. - 26 Jan 2026Lakelanders Secure Medals & PBs at Swim Ulster Open Meet in Bangor
6 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed at Swim Ulster’s Open Long Course Meet at the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex in Bangor on the 24 & 25th January. Swimmers from clubs all over Ireland attended this exciting start to the Long Course season and the Lakelanders were eager to race their fellow athletes in the fabulous 10 lane 50m pool at the Aurora. - 07 Dec 2025Lakelanders’ future challengers deliver strong swims in Omagh
A strong squad of Lakelanders junior swimmers took part in Swim Ulster Future Challengers Meet 2 at Omagh Leisure Centre on Saturday.
Coach Chelsey Weir was there to support the young swimmers who brought home a substantial haul of medal award pins and a raft of new personal times. - 07 Dec 2025Success for Lakelanders at Sliabh Beagh Winter Gala
6 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers made the journey to the Coral Leisure Centre Monaghan for Sliabh Beagh Swimming Club’s Winter Cluster Meet on 6th & 7th December. - 30 Nov 2025Lakelanders Swimmers Shine for their schools at Ulster Schools Championships
Swim Ulster Primary Schools Cup and Championship was held at the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor on Saturday 29th November 2025. Excited for this opportunity to represent their schools, 22 swimmers across 10 local schools headed to Bangor determined to do the South-West proud and qualify for the All-Ireland Championships held in Dublin in March. Although a school competition, all the students attending are committed members of the Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club and mustered all their skills and training in competing against the best swimmers from schools across Ulster. A successful day saw 4 podium finishes and an amazing number of swimmers qualify for the All-Ireland primary school championship to be held at the National Aquatic Centre Dublin next year. - 10 Nov 2025Lakelanders push for top performances at Dungannon’s 40th Anniversary Gala
A squad of 10 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers attended Dungannon Swimming Club’s 40th Anniversary Gala on Sunday the 9th November at Dungannon Leisure Centre. The gala was a great success for the young swimmers who returned home with numerous personal bests. - 27 Oct 2025Lakelanders Host First Home Gala in Omagh
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their Autumn Junior Gala on Sunday 26th October, an event aimed at younger swimmers. This was the club’s first Gala in their new temporary base at Omagh Leisure Centre and there was much excitement among the swimmers from the outset with 37 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders taking part. They were joined by competitors from nine other Ulster swimming clubs. For many of the 8-14 year-old competitors, this would be one their first experiences of individual competition, that all important first step for every sportsperson. - 19 Oct 2025Lakelanders secure awards and new PBs at Belfast Aspiring Champions Gala
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All the work so far on skills and technique resulted in a slew of Swim Ulster Awards, personal bests and many top ten finishes for the Enniskillen Lakelanders.
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