We received a report from Maddie Harris’ parents on her exploits during the 2017-18 swim season:
What a great swimming season Maddie Harris, para-swimmer (S9, SB8, SM9), has had.
Thanks to the Dylan Howells Foundation (DHF), Elmbridge Phoenix Swimming Club has been able to send a coach to support Maddie at the three biggest events in the 2017-18 para-swimming calendar;
National Junior Para-Swimming Championship short course – 14-15 April
The British Para-Swimming International Meet (BPSIM) long course – 31 May-3 June
National Summer Meet long course – 31 July-4 August
www.swimming.org/sport/swimming-live-stream/
Having the support from her coaches has been hugely significant in enabling Maddie to focus on the different aspects of her race techniques in order to develop on, as well as having someone there to support Maddie was invaluable.
The national junior championship was an exciting championship, as the results are age-group based. This gives the youngsters an opportunity to shine: 10-13, 14-16 and 17-18.
Maddie came away with a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke and 4 silver medals in the 50m free, 100m free and backstroke and 400m free
Attending the BPSIM is a huge experience for the young swimmers (and their coaches). They get the opportunity to meet and swim alongside the elite para-swimmers from the UK and the rest of the world. This event is streamed live on the web. This was a great way for the club to support Maddie from afar.
These races were multi-class and the heat/medal winners are based on the different classifications world record points. The time you compete in the event is converted into points based on the present world record time for that classification. The world record time equals 1000 points. The better your time is, the greater the points you get.
Maddie best race 50m free completed in 37.43 seconds achieved her 429 world record points
The 2017-18 swim season ended with the national summer meet. This is a great event for the whole club, as it combines the mainstream national swimmers and para-swimmers. There’s nothing nicer than being with your club peers to support you and for you to support them. Maddie competed in the usual five events: 50m free, 100m free, breaststroke and backstroke and 400m free and she achieved pbs in all the freestyle events and this time Maddie achieved 444 world record points in the 50m free; completed in 37.00 seconds.
Maddie did really well at each of these competitions. She achieved personal bests (pbs) at each meet in most of her events, which is great considering they are only about 6 weeks apart before the next meet
Maddie is now enjoying a few weeks summer break, then the 2018-19 season begins again in September. The next winter national para-swimming championships will be in Manchester on the 1-2 December.
Thank you DHF, Maddie and Elmbridge Phoenix Swim Club are really appreciative of your support.
Congratulations Maddie! Well done and keep on improving, from all at DHF
