Swim Wales Disability Short Course Open Meet – Llandudno

If you thought disability swimming was slow, think again when Team GB are at the Meet. British and European records fell in many events, and 2 world records were set. All heats were multi-disability; you raced against other competitors with similar entry times, regardless of age and classification.

Once Grace Harvey, the youngest competitor, got over the excitement of warming up in the same lane as Ellie Simmonds, she got on with the task in hand. Under the watchful eye of Carl Cooper, Grace set about a day of serious swimming. There were 6 races to do. Llandudno is a long way and we wanted our money’s worth!

Her first race was the 200m free and she finished second in her heat with a 6 second pb. Next followed 100m backstroke. Grace was moved up a heat and could not contain her excitement at swimming in the same heat as Ellie Simmonds. Although she finished 7^th in the heat she gained a 4 second pb.The final race of the morning session was 50m free. After a slow start, Grace made up ground to finish 1^st in her heat with yet another pb.

After the excitement of the morning session, there was a three and a half hour break, and we all felt tired. Grace struggled in the 400m free, she was 13 seconds off her pb, but she perked up again in the 200m IM. Although she swam the final 50m on her own (we’re used to it now) she still achieved a 4 second pb. The final race of the day was the 100m free and it was exciting to watch Grace. She was just beaten into 2^nd place, overtaking 2 other swimmers in the final 25m.

A job well done and a long journey back home.

• Special Olympics Eastern 2010
• Five members of Hoddesdon’s Special Abilities Squad took part in the Special Olympics Eastern representing Team Eastern Herts on the 8th May 2010. Click here for report and photograph

Grace impresses British Swimming at the London Region Disability

Swimming Championships 2009

Grace Harvey, who has the condition cerebral palsy, represented Hoddesdon Swimming Club at the London Regional Disability Swimming Championships on 22nd September 2009. Grace had to be up very early to go to the Classification appointment earlier in the day. British Swimming had to go through a procedure on land and in the water to decide which Disability Classification Grace would have. The Team told Grace and Janet Warrington (Head Coach) at Hoddesdon Swimming Club, that her Classification would be S7 for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly, S6 for Breaststroke and SM7 for her Individual Medley. Then, after a quick lunch, Grace, Janet and her family travelled to the East Ham Leisure Centre for the Championships. Grace swam a fantastic 50 Backstroke and won her heat with a touch and in a personal best time of 1:05.42 and came 2nd out of the Womens 11/12 yrs age group. Straight from the pool and into the stewards area, hardly catching her breath Grace then swam her 200 Freestyle another excellent race with a very strong finish, Grace got another pb 4:27.46 and won her age group. The events were spaced out a little more and Grace won her next race the 50 Freestyle in a pb of 56.09 and finished the day off with a brilliant Individual Medley in another pb of 2:30.73 and finished in 4th place in the 11/12 yr age group.The team from British Swimming then came over and said they wanted to speak to Grace. They were so impressed they said the classification rating had to be moved, Grace apparently swam so well in the pool – they were very impressed. Now Grace has had her classification confirmed as S8 for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly, S7 for Breaststroke and SM8 for Individual Medley.Grace is now looking forward to the ASA East Region Disability Swimming Championships which will be taking place on Sunday 6th December at Breckland Leisure Centre, Norfolk. Carl Cooper ASA Playground to Podium Officer has said he will be inviting Grace on to his programme, which means Grace will be supported by the ASA and encouraged to continue dreaming of representing Team GB at the Paralympics.

Click here for link to photograph of Grace and Janet

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