Dolphins inspire Andrew to International Honours
Fourteen-year-old Andrew Winspear from Ingleby Barwick who as a four year old was scared of water and refused to take part in his swimming lessons at Billingham Forum competed for England Schools Swimming Team last weekend
This remarkable turn around was started when Andrew joined Stockton Amateur Swimming Club at the age of eight to enable him to improve his swimming sufficiently so he could swim with the dolphins on a family holiday in Florida
The rest is history, the Egglescliffe pupil’s natural swimming talent, and dedication to his sport has culminated in him reaching a national championship final, holding the English Schools Individual Medley 200m long course record, being inducted into the Tees Active Sports Academy and competing for the English Schools Swimming Team in the Home Nations Meet in Grangemouth, Scotland
Andrew a member of the Borough of Stockton Swimming Scheme picked up a silver medal on his international debut, which was reward for his gruelling training schedule of 17.5 hours per week in the pool and 2 hours per week land training
Andrews’s proud mother Alison said, “I am so happy for Andrew that all his hard work has paid off, he thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and hopefully will inspire him for the future”
Andrew who will be attending a Swimming Camp with British Swimming at Bath University in April said, “My next target is to attempt to medal at the National Championships and my long term goal would be to compete at the 2012 Olympics in London”
If you are interested in swimming lessons please contact Tees Actives Swimming Development Manager Carol Grainger on 01642 528540 or visit new.teesactivelimited.co.uk