Lakelanders blaze a trail in Bangor!
19 Mar 2023
Lakelanders blaze a trail in Bangor!
Photos by Susan James
13 local swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders travelled to the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor to compete in Round 2 of Swim Ulster’s ‘Aspiring Champions’ Meet Series on 18th & 19th 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.
Senan Burke (15) picked up new PBs in both 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle.
Kiril Chursin (17) gained a new PB in the 50m Breaststroke along with a Qualifying time for the Summer Nationals. He followed up with more PBs in 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly.
Ellie Dunlop (14) demonstrated the fantastic results of dedicated training with top 3 finishes in all 4 of her events. She placed 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke, 1st in the 50m Breaststroke, 3rd in the 200m Individual Medley along with a 3s PB. Ellie hit the wall in 2nd place in the 200m Breaststroke event to finish a great weekend of further Irish National qualification times. Delighted Ellie also had the opportunity to compete along side Olympian and Irish record holder Danielle Hill in her 50m Breaststroke heat!
Hayden James (16) had a very successful meet.
He earned himself a 3.96s PB in the 200m Freestyle, finishing in 5th place. He took a whopping 5s off his 400m Freestyle PB placing 2nd.
On Sunday, Hayden swam the 100m Freestyle finishing in 9th place. He went on to make a fantastic first attempt at the gruelling 1500m Freestyle where he placed 5th.
Hayden was very satisfied with his progress which resulted in qualifying times for both Ulster Long Course Championships in April and Irish Summer Nationals in July.
Vita Lavrenova (16) picked up new PBs in the 100m Freestyle and the 50m Butterfly events.
Hannah Lynch (14) competed in 6 events achieving 4 new pbs and 5 new qualifying times for Irish Nationals. Hannah placed first in both the 200m Backstroke and 400m Freestyle and third in the 200m Freestyle.
Anna Mc Dade (16), competing in the over 17 age group, swam 4 long course PBs, to place 1st and 2nd in 100m and 200m Breaststroke respectively. A top 5 place in 200m Individual Medley and top 10 finish in 100m Freestyle secured qualifying times for Ulster long course and summer nationals.
Younger sister Kate Mc Dade (14), was in superb form, demonstrating versatility across a range of strokes she smashed PBs in 7 events, achieving top 10 finishes in the highly competitive 15-16 year old category. Most notable were in the Breaststroke securing 2nd place finishes across three events. PBs in 200m Individual Medley, 100m and 200m Freestyle, have added to the tally of qualifying times for Ulster long course and summer nationals. An impressive weekend’s swimming for the McDade sisters.
James Mongan (16) reaped the rewards of his hard work in training, competing in 6 events over the 2 day meet. He shaved 3s off his 200m Freestyle PB, maintained his time in the 100m Backstroke, took a massive 17s off his 200m Breaststroke PB, maintained his 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle times and finished his weekend on a high with a 19s PB in the 200m Backstroke event, adding to his growing collection of Qualifying times for Ulster Long Course Championships and ‘consideration’ times for the Summer National competitions.
Ava Neal (13) enjoyed her first long course meet, achieving a PB of 1.79 sec in the 100m Breaststroke, & another PB of 1.46 in 100m Freestyle.
Niamh O’Donnell (15) competed in 6 events across the weekend. She took 3s off her 50m Butterfly PB, 3s off her 100m Backstroke PB, 6s off her 200m Individual Medley time and gained another PB in the 50m Freestyle. Niamh was also pleased to gain qualifying times for the Ulster LC Championships and ‘consideration’ times for Irish Nationals in two events over the meet.
Erin Salcedo (13) competed in four events and picked up new PBs in 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke.
Conal Walker (15) was delighted with his performance, he achieved PBs in both 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle and maintained his time in the 50m Backstroke.
The swimmers’ families expressed their gratitude and praise for the coaching team led by Head Coach Ben Wiffen and the club volunteers who helped out over the 2 days. They hailed the 13 swimmers who demonstrated the fruits of committed training in the weeks and months leading up to this Meet. Another successful weekend for the Lakelanders, representing the South-West region in Bangor. Many of these swimmers will travel to Dublin to compete in the Irish Minor Schools’ Championship next weekend and we wish them well as they represent their schools at this National competition.
- 03 May 2026An Ulster title, a slew of medals and PBs home to Enniskillen from Ulster Champs
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. - 26 Apr 2026Lakelanders top the medal board at Spring Gala
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. - 19 Apr 2026Cracking Racing in Craigavon for Enniskillen Lakelanders' Swimmers
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. - 29 Mar 2026Enniskillen Lakelanders' swimmers clinch medals & top ten finishes for their sch
The Irish Minor Schools Championships 2026 took place on Sunday 29th March at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin. 10 Enniskillen Lakelanders swimmers aged 12 and under made the journey, having qualified in November at the regional schools gala in Bangor and were high with excitement as they headed off to Dublin to do their schools proud on the National stage. - 22 Mar 2026Lakelanders Success at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
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. - 16 Mar 2026Lakelanders claim awards & PBs in Bangor
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. - 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.
Follow Us
