The Guernsey Swimming Club saw 11 of its younger competitive swimmers attend the final leg of the Hampshire County Swimming Championships on 28 February and 1 March 2026, held at the Winchester Leisure Centre in the long-course (50m) pool.It was the first time that Poppy Sargent, Oliver Grierson, Aaron Beak, James Eley, George Foote and Isaac Thomasson took part in the County Championships.
Lily Smith, 12, retained her title as Hampshire counties champion winning gold in the 50m breaststroke. Lily also won gold 100m and 200m breaststroke for the girls 12 years old age group. Winning all three breaststroke events in her age group is a massive achievement showcasing her skills and ability to perform against some steep competition.
Aaron Beak, 11, took his first county championships in his stride, taking part in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly, and 50m and 200m backstroke. He swam in the finals in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle. Aaron’s best swim of the weekend came in the way of his 200m freestyle where he improved by over 8 seconds.
Meanwhile, his older brother Adam, 13, swam in the 200m freestyle, 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke. Adam also took part in the finals in the 100m butterfly, 50m and 100m freestyle, and reached final’s reserve in the 50m butterfly. With this heavy programme, Adam achieved seven new personal bests in an all round amazing weekend.
Lola Williams, 14, who had already raced the Distance events during the first weekend of the County Championships back in January, had a great weekend performing well and gaining personal bests in almost all of her swims; she competed in the 200m Individual Medley, 50m and 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m and 200m breaststroke, and she reached finals reserve in the 50m breaststroke.
Lexi Rault, 12, took part in the 50m, 100 and 200m freestyle, and the 50m breaststroke. Lexi also swam brilliantly in the 50m and 100m freestyle narrowly missing out on the finals.
Poppy Sargent, 10, took part in the 200m Individual Medley where she knocked a whopping 7 seconds off her personal best. Poppy also took part in the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 50m and 200m breaststroke, and 50m butterfly. She reached the finals in the 50m and 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke.
James Eley, 11, swam in the 50m breaststroke and the 100m breaststroke where he reached finals reserves for both events.
George Foote and Isaac Thomasson, both 11, took part in the 50m butterfly.
Oliver Grierson, 10 and the youngest of the Guernsey Swimming Club’s squad, took part in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.
Jude Marley, 13, swam in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke.
Coaches Matt Butt and Sue Chapman commented ‘This last weekend of the County Championships has shown that the GSC’s future is in good hands with the younger swimmers showing their worth as they continue developing their skills. Our swimmers achieved some great personal bests and great team spirit when supporting each other during the races. Having the number of swimmers, we had achieved times for Hampshire and how well all of them have competed is a testament to how good our Learn to Swim programme is, giving these competitive swimmers the right foundations to succeed, and how well our team of teachers and coaches works behind the scenes.’
From left to right top row – Poppy Sargent, Jude Marley, Isaac Thomasson and James Eley
From left to right bottom row – Adam Beak, Aaron Beak, Lola Williams, George Foote, Lexi Rault and Lily Smith
Lily Smith
March22nd March 2026
