Overseas meets, some of which include good quality swimmers, are proving to be much-needed exposure for our boys and girls and an opportunity for them to re-write statistics in the record books. This has happened very often in the past years and repeated in Lyon early this month where eight new marks were set, two at national level and six in the age-group categories.
This has brought up the tally to 11 records this year, including three in the 'B' age-group category set by young Amy Micallef in the 50, 100 and 200 breast.
Daniel Galea emulated Micallef in the three identical boys' events in Group 'D', while Mark Sammut set new limits in the 50 and 100 back (also in Group D) and Nikki Muscat broke new ground in the 50 fly in the same female category.
The national records broken were by Andrea Agius in the men's 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Many times I had occasion to remark that swimming is a highly-dynamic discipline which pre-supposes continued progress in standards from year to year.
In this respect, a brisk turnover of new Maltese marks is a priority and an ultimate gauge in determining whether the sport is moving on and maintaining a rate of advancement proportional to that of other countries, especially those our size.
Some time ago I analysed the record books of local swimming and arrived at the conclusion that in recent years there has been fairly good progress in the rate of new records being set up at both national and age-group levels.
However, current statistics also reveal that some of the 130 listed limits have stood the strands of time, four going back to 1989 and 24 others to over a decade, of which five are at national level and 19 at junior level.
I also made a comparative study of our rate of progress against that of other countries our size. The outcome was that we had to make deeper inroads to maintain the improvement made by foreigners.
Records and strength in depth were the hub of my analysis.
National coach Andy Colbourn shared this view, emphasising that "records are the ultimate measuring instrument in determining an upsurge in standards."
In general terms, participation in overseas meets vindicates the policy of the ASA Swimming Board, a trend initiated on regular lines by former chairman Michael Gialanze.
The new top man, Mark Galea, and his hard-working team, are following suit, providing swimmers with an opportunity to hone their abilities through international competitions.
"This exposure in high-profile meets shows that the ASA is moving along the right lines," Colbourn said.
"The swimmers, especially the boys, have been successful. The results early in March may have been somewhat unexpected considering the interruption over the period leading up to Christmas. However, their performances showed just how committed the team is to succeed.
"They will now compete on home soil in the annual Easter Meet. I look forward for more improvement," Colbourn remarked.
"The participation of quality swimmers from Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the UK should hopefully provide our boys and girls with another platform to maintain their improvement.
"Meanwhile, the series of time-trials during the season is also another opportunity for records to be established, although many of these meets are merely preparatory or build-up events," the national coach added.
Progress through higher standards is an ongoing process. The Aquatic Sports Association's sights are firmly set on this goal.