
Irish National Winter Championship
19 Dec 2022

Swim Ireland’s 2022 Irish National Winter Championship took place at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, Dublin from Thursday 15th – Saturday 17thDecember. Over 500 swimmers from both Ireland and overseas competed at the final National Championship meet of 2022.
While a host of elite swimmers competed for National titles it was Daniel Wiffen’s incredible swim in the 800m Freestyle, becoming the first ever Irishman to break a European record, that stole the show. Without doubt there was a lot of cheering in Fermanagh as Enniskillen Lakelanders head coach Ben Wiffen watched his brother storm home.
Under Ben Wiffen’s excellent coaching ,two of Enniskillen Lakelanders age group swimmers made the qualifying standard to make their debut at the Winter Championships.
After a brilliant technical start Ellie Dunlop (13) completed her 200m Breaststroke coming in on her PB and finished the event as the fourth fastest 13-year-old at this open meet. Head Coach Ben Wiffen praised the young swimmer “This was a big step up for Ellie competing at her first National open Championships. She showed no fear and gained valuable experience racing against Irelands best, at such a young age – a key component for long-term success in the sport.”
Jamie Lannon (14) executed a super-fast sprint in the 50m Breaststroke, achieving a 1 second PB finishing in a time of 32.53s and finishing the fastest 14-year-old in this open competition. Ben also had praise for Jamie’s performance “A strong and powerful performance from Jamie who has worked diligently on improving his breaststroke speed, showcasing this in a stacked field of senior sprinters.’
Both Ellie Dunlop and Jamie Lannon have had an incredible year of swimming success becoming regional and national medallists. To qualify and finish amongst the top of their age groups at this prestigious championship is an incredible achievement at such a young age, and both young swimmers are thrilled to have finished the 2022 season on a high. The Lakelanders look forward to seeing what these promising young athletes deliver in the coming season.
A squad of 9 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club attended the Ulster Age Group and Senior LC Championships at the Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex on 1st, 2nd & 3rd May. Competitors from across 32 clubs in Ulster met the tough qualification standards to take part in this key meet over three days, targeting Ulster podium spots, and those important Summer National qualification times.
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their Spring Junior Gala on Sunday 26th April, an event aimed at younger swimmers. As the Lakelanders approach the first year complete at their temporary base at Omagh Leisure Centre and there was much excitement among the swimmers from the outset with 41 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders taking part. They were joined by competitors from eleven 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.
Portadown ASC and Lurgan ASC hosted the South Lake Open Meet 2026 at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April. A total of 26 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed over the two day meet.
Saturday morning saw fantastic swimming by 11 of our younger athletes competing in a range of 25m races in the short course format. Many PBs were smashed with the young Lakelanders doing their club proud in the pool.
On Saturday 21st March, a group of 14 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club took part in Round 4 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series, held at Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn. The competition drew over 450 swimmers between the ages of 10 and 14 from across Ulster.
Participants competed in a range of more demanding events, including Individual Medley (IM), Breaststroke, and Freestyle. The Lakelanders swimmers performed with determination throughout the meet, embracing the challenge of competing against a high standard of provincial opposition while striving to achieve personal best times.
11 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers travelled to the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor to compete in Round 2 of Swim Ulster’s ‘Aspiring Champions’ Meet Series on 14th & 15th March. This spectacular 50m pool was the perfect venue for the many challenging events the Fermanagh swimmers were eager to dive into over the weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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.