Ahead of the 2014 National Swimming Championships Alex Vella has compiled a statistical analysis of local swimming records over the last 18 months which shows healthy reading in relation to records in past years. However, more is expected so that we can keep up with the progress overseas.
This year’s national swimming championships between today, tomorrow and Sunday has attracted just over 200 swimmers from seven clubs, Exiles, Inspire SC, Neptunes, Phoenix SC, SW Elite, Sirens and Sliema.
These numbers mean that this sport is gaining in popularity especially among the youngsters who form the core of swimmers in our country.
A wide base is necessary for this discipline to make the desired inroads. More swimming clubs are now operating in different localities and covering a wide catchment area, in spite of schools not forming part of this framework.
Progress in swimming is gauged by the frequency of records. Unless new marks are set on a regular basis the sport is bound to lose ground in terms of advancement and compared to the progress made by other countries.
In Malta, the upsurge of this sport in recent years is due to several factors. The ASA’s organisation, better and more widespread coaching, the emergence of club nurseries, dedication and perseverance by the swimmers, and more competition especially on a wider overseas stage have boosted records statistics over the last five years.
It is interesting to note that new marks (excluding short course records) set since last year in relation to previous time-frames have been significantly abundant.
No fewer than 42 records have been broken since January 2013, 28 in the age-categories and 14 at national level, including four relays.
The boys accounted for 31 of these, with 20 in the junior categories and 11 at senior level, while the girls have set 11 new marks, eight and three in the respective juniors and seniors sections.
On an individual basis, eight boys and six girls have figured in these individual and team records.
This reveals an acceptable balance when considering that the sport is still developing in our country and, in any case, the fact that only a handful normally make it to the top bracket.
The male swimmers are: Agius Andrea M., Bugeja Jeremy, Caruana Dingli Edward, Chetcuti Andrew, Harding Julian, Muscat Neil, Stafrace Raoul and Zammit Matthew, while the girls are Bellia Andrea, Ceccarelli Charis, Grech Pia, Falzon Francesca, Fino Kristina and Muscat Nicola.
One-lap races
Records have been mostly conspicuous in the shorter one-lap races which produced 12 new limits, 10 in the junior and two in the senior categories.
The 100 metre races also provided 12 (nine and three) followed by the 200 metre events, with 10 (eight and two).
The longer races only yielded one record in the 400 IM, with the remaining four records being achieved in the three 4x50 metres relays and the 4x100 medley. The other three marks overlapped between junior and senior records.
The ASA Swimming Board has been the backbone of encouraging performances in recent years. Club coaches have contributed massively in this respect, with the set-up at the clubs also being conducive to the overall progress made.
On the face of it, the record statistics look healthy.
However, our record-breaking rate is still on the slow burner and needs to be stepped up further so that this sport in Malta can keep abreast with the rate of improvement of other countries, especially those on a par with us in size.