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D&G Swimmers Shine at BUCS Championships 2025

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Pictured Left to right: Peter, Emily, Talia, Evie and Thomas.

This past weekend, several of our older D&G swimmers proudly represented their respective University Teams at the renowned BUCS Championships. With world champions, record holders, and Olympians also competing, the standard of racing was exceptionally high — making every achievement even more impressive.

We celebrated finals appearances, personal bests, season-best times, and even a medal across multiple events. These results are a testament not only to the talent and determination of our swimmers, but also to their ability to balance the demanding combination of higher education studies and intensive swim training.

Their successes highlight the strength of the D&G swimming community as they continue to make their mark on the national stage.

Huge congratulations to all our university swimmers — your medal, finals, and best times inspire the next generation and reinforce the reputation of D&G swimming at every level!

D&G Swimmers Shine at the 2025 ESSA Championships

Pictured Left to right: Joey, Ben, Daniel and Jack.

Some of our talented D&G swimmers proudly represented their respective Secondary Schools at the prestigious 2025 English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) Championships.

Reaching the Finals alone is a remarkable accomplishment, as the level of competition at this national event is exceptionally high, with the very best young swimmers from across the country taking part.

Among the standout performances, the senior boys from Durham Johnston School delivered an outstanding team effort, securing 2nd place overall for state schools in England. This result places them among the very top school swimming squads nationwide and reflects their dedication, teamwork, and relentless training.

We are incredibly proud of all our swimmers who competed, not only for their impressive results but also for the way they represented both their schools and the wider D&G swimming community. Their achievements highlight the strength of swimming in our region and set a fantastic example for younger athletes coming through the ranks.

Congratulations to every swimmer involved — your hard work and commitment continue to inspire us all!

Powerhouse Performance

from Our D&G Masters!

A Huge Congratulations to our incredible 5 D&G Masters who proudly represented Team Northumberland & Durham SA at the Master Inter-County Championships today in Manchester! Your dedication and performance were truly inspiring.

Team N&D secured 3rd place among the five competing counties in Manchester — a fantastic achievement as we eagerly await the final national standings!

A heartfelt thank you to our very own Joan Edwards, whose efforts and organisation made it all possible. Your commitment to N&D is deeply appreciated.

An Outstanding Weekend for D&G Masters at the Swim England National Championships

We are incredibly proud of our D&G Masters team following a fantastic weekend of competition at the Swim England National Championships, held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. The club was well represented, and our swimmers delivered exceptional performances across a range of events. Here are some of the standout results:

Colin 🥇

1st — 800m Freestyle

Joan 🥇🥈🥈🥉

1st — 800m Freestyle
2nd — 200m & 400m Freestyle
3rd — 100m Freestyle

Verity 🥈🥉🥉🥉🥉

2nd — 100m Freestyle
3rd — 200m Freestyle, 800m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Individual Medley
5th — 100m Breaststroke

Kay 🥈

2nd — 200m Breaststroke
5th — 100m Breaststroke
7th — 50m Breaststroke

Louise

17th — 100m Freestyle
20th — 50m Freestyle

Diane

5th — 1500m Freestyle

David 🥉

3rd — 100m Freestyle
4th — 50m Butterfly
6th — 200m Freestyle

Matthew

4th — 200m Individual Medley
5th — 200m Backstroke
6th — 800m Freestyle
8th — 50m Backstroke
9th — 200m Freestyle
10th — 50m Butterfly
13th — 100m Freestyle
16th — 50m Freestyle

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Chairman, Darren Maxwell, and Treasurer, Graham Robinson, who generously volunteered their time and support throughout the weekend.

Congratulations to all involved — a truly inspiring display of dedication and excellence in the pool!

🚨 COUNTY RECORD ALERT 🚨

BEN DOES IT AGAIN!

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At the Arena Manchester Winter Qualifier Meet, Ben Beale rocketed to his second Junior N&D County Record, this time in the Short Course 50m Butterfly — rewriting the record books with a jaw-dropping 25.88!

That’s not just fast — that’s elite. Two records. One meet. Endless potential.

We couldn’t be prouder of Ben’s relentless drive, precision, and passion in the pool. This is what happens when talent meets hard work — and he’s just getting started.

HUGE congratulations, Ben!

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Outstanding Performances at the Arena Manchester Winter Qualifier Meet 2025

A huge congratulations to all the swimmers from Derwentside & Gateshead Swim Team and City of Sunderland ASC who competed at the Arena Manchester Winter Qualifier Meet 2025 this past weekend.

It was a fantastic few days filled with exceptional racing, unwavering team spirit, and valuable lessons both in and out of the pool — a perfect launchpad for the new season ahead.

🏅 Medal Tally Highlights

Open Category:

4 🥈medals

Junior Category:
6x🥇
7x 🥈
1x 🥉

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated coach and team managers for their tireless support and commitment, and to COMAST for hosting such a well-organised and inspiring event.

Here’s to continued growth, camaraderie, and success in the season to come!

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CONGRATULATIONS

To Team D&G member in Gold Squad, Alice who has been selected for the Swim England Youth Performance squad this season after her performances at Summer Nationals.

A huge achievement - well done Alice but justly deserved for your dedication and commitment.

Good luck - enjoy the programme and the journey

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💥 FOUR-TIME REGIONAL CHAMPION! 💥

What a way to kick off the 2025/26 season!

A huge congratulations to Tia, who stormed the pool at the Swim England North East Regional Para-Swimming Championships in Darwen — bringing home FOUR Regional Titles and smashing two lifetime personal bests!

Champion in:

50m Freestyle
100m Backstroke
100m IM (PB)
200m IM (PB)

What a performance, Tia — we’re so proud of your incredible start to the season!

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DERWENTSIDE AND GATESHEAD

CLUB CHAMPS 2025

What an epic first Club Championships! We watched some blistering sprints and the racing was absolutely electric—every single squad brought the heat. From our very youngest swimmers all the way to Masters, the team spirit was fantastic.

A massive thank you to our incredible volunteers and officials! You gave up your time, kept everything running smoothly, and made the whole event unforgettable. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Here’s to many more club champs to come 🏆 #ClubChamps #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #SquadGoals

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25/26 Swim Season Selections:

D&G selections (so far) to various training and development opportunities and pathways have been announced and can be found HERE. Congratulations everyone!

D&G Paralympian Lyndon sets a new world record !!!!

WATCH LYNDON ON BBC BREAKFAST!

He has done it!

Lyndon, 29, from Crook, has achieved what many thought was impossible by completing a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile wheelchair marathon.

He finished amid scenes of jubilation from supporters in Liverpool.

Posting a final time of 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds!

Along the way, he swam through jellyfish, recovered from a fall from his bike, and coped with wind and rain.

LYNDON LONGHORNE – we salute you.

EXTRACT FROM THE NORTHERN ECHO:

Paralympian Lyndon Longhorne has become the first quadruple amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon in under 24 hours.

Lyndon, from Crook, County Durham, contracted meningitis as a baby and doctors had to amputate both his legs, an arm and the fingertips from his other hand to save his life. The courageous 29-year-old has gone on to become a record-breaking swimmer and achieved his dream by representing Team GB in The Paralympics, in Tokyo, in 2021.

Beginning at 10am on Sunday, he embarked on an Ironman Triathlon in Liverpool, tackling a 2.4-mile open water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon over 26.2 miles., and finished it with seconds to spare on Monday morning. source LIVE: Paralympian Lyndon sets a new world record | The Northern Echo

INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT LYNDON - EVERYONE AT D&G SWIM TEAM IS VERY PROUD OF YOU!!

And he’s off!

Good luck from all of us at D&G

Follow Lyndon’s progress on the The Northern Echo live blog in the comments below

Here is the link to his sponsor page - please donate if you can:

Fundraiser by Lyndon Longhorne : Support Lyndon Longhorne's Historic Ironman Challenge

One of our members Lyndon Longhorne, is on a mission to do something no one has ever done before.

At just 8½ months old, meningitis took both his legs, his right arm, and the fingertips on his left hand. But it never took his determination.

Over the past 12 years, he’s pushed his body to the limit as a Paralympian, a World Championship finalist, and a 13-time British record holder.

Now, he is taking on his toughest challenge yet.

The Challenge: Ironman DIY Redefining What’s Possible on August 31st, 2025, at Liverpool’s Queen’s Docks, he will attempt to become the first quad amputee in history to complete an Ironman DIY an ultra endurance event consisting of:

2.4-mile open water swim

112-mile hand-cycle ride

26.2-mile marathon in a racing wheelchair

All back-to-back.

All in under 24 hours!!

This Ironman is more than a personal goal, it’s a chance to raise awareness and vital funds for two life-changing organisations:

Meningitis Now & Andy’s Man Club

How You Can Help - Every pound, every share, and every kind word makes a real difference.

Training is already well underway, and he is sharing every step, setback, and milestone on his social media.

Follow along, donate, get inspired, and become part of the movement.

Thank you for your support

First Quad Amputee sub 24hr Ironman Triathlon | givestar

D&G Masters on the World Stage – Singapore 2025

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A huge congratulations to our Masters swimmers Joan Edwards, Michael Edwards, and Verity Dobbie who recently represented D&G Swim Team at the World Masters Championships in Singapore!

The team produced some outstanding swims against tough international competition:

Joan Edwards – Bronze in the 800m Freestyle
• 7th in the 100m Freestyle
• 4th in the 200m Freestyle
• 4th in the 400m Freestyle

Verity Dobbie
• 8th in the 100m Breaststroke
• 10th in the 50m Freestyle
• 12th in the 200m Breaststroke
• An agonising 4th in the 50m Breaststroke, just missing out on the podium by a fingernail!

Michael Edwards
• 45th in the 50m Freestyle
• 27th in the 50m Backstroke – a fantastic swim on the final day.

What an incredible set of results from our Masters, showing true determination, grit, and D&G pride on the world stage

Well done Joan, Michael & Verity – you’ve done the team proud!

BREAKING EUROPEAN AND GB RECORDS!

While some of our Masters squad are out in Singapore Colin Ovington set a new European and GB (55/59 age-group) Masters Record today: 400 Free LC 4:31.21, beating the old record 4:31.94 at the Manchester Wave Masters Meet 2025

Congratulations Colin!

WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Singapore 2025)

Huge Congratulations to Joan Edward’s who got the Bronze

in the Women’s 800m Freestyle, 65-69 year age group. What a fantastic way to start your championships!

Congratulations Joan!

SUMMER NATIONALS 2025, AND MORE!

What a few weeks it’s been for D&G Swim Team!

Since the start of July, our swimmers have been non-stop and what an incredible run of competitions we've had!

Ben Beale proudly represented Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, competing in the 200m Butterfly and 400m Individual Medley. He smashed lifetime bests every time he hit the blocks, navigating heats, semis, and finals in the 200m Fly, and finishing 5th in Europe!

Meanwhile, 17 of our swimmers took part across the Aquatics GB Next Gen Championships, Swim England Open Water Nationals, and the Home Nations Summer Meet, achieving some truly outstanding results:

34x Finals

6x Gold

4x Silver

8x Bronze

On top of that, our Junior League team delivered a sensational performance in the final, taking home the 10, 11, 12 years AND Overall trophies, earning promotion to Division 2 in the Northumberland & Durham Junior League!

Our amazing Masters swimmers, who made waves at the British Masters Championships in London back in June, bringing home:

3 Gold

2 Silver

3 Bronze

Next up, we’re cheering on our Masters athletes on the global stage as they head off to Singapore to compete at the World Aquatic Masters Championships. Best of luck to you all!

It's been a phenomenal few weeks for the team!

Congratulations to all our swimmers, coaches, and volunteers.

You’ve made our first season one to remember.

We’ve exceeded expectations, and we’re only just getting started!

Junior 'Diddy' League 2025 CHAMPIONS!!

🏆 What a brilliant result! Derwentside & Gateshead earned that top spot with some stellar performances at this Summer's Junior League, held at The Louisa Centre in Stanley. The energy was ELECTRIC!

👏 And hats off to all of the competing teams—This year was packed with thrilling races and fierce competition. Now, with Division 2 on the horizon, the anticipation for next year is already building.