Cliff Strikes Gold in California
Stockton has its very own World Swimming Champion. Cliff Ward from Stockton Amateur Swimming Club has just returned from the Eleventh FINA Masters World Championships staged at Stanford University in San Francisco Bay area with more than flowers in his hair.
Cliff won gold in the 50m and 100m backstroke, silver in the 200m backstroke and had a top 10 finish in the 50m freestyle whilst competing in the 75 to 79 years age group. Cliff even managed to set a new British record of 1:32.48 in the 100m backstroke.
The World Championships were staged at the Avery Aquatic Centre at Stanford University, which is one of the largest facilities in the USA and features four swimming pools.
The Championships had over 7300 athletes competing with the athletes ranging from the age of 25 to 95 years of age. Cliff did not only have to contend with his fellow swimmers but with temperatures of over 100 degrees fahrenheit as California was gripped by a heat wave.
Cliff who has been swimming since he was 12 years of age trains with Stockton Amateurs at Splash for 3 hours per week has been associated with the Club for over 60 years. He is currently Honorary Secretary of Stockton Swimming Club and Chairman of the Borough of Stockton Swimming Scheme.
Cliff said on his return “ The organisation to deal with such a large number of competitors was first class, the open air pools were excellent and even when I was troubled by a touch of tendonitis there was over 15 masseurs available to get me back in the pool. The whole trip and competition was a fantastic experience.”
For further information on swimming contact Carol Grainger, Swimming Development Manager on (01642) 528540.