NEWTOWN Swimming Club was not going to let the pandemic and lockdown prevent it expanding its provision.

Since the onset of the public health crisis the the club has expanded into open water coaching.

Club spokesman Claire Bebb said: “During lockdown we kept in regular contact with our members and soon realised that the effects were so much more than just missing out on the physical training, it was very clear that that our swimmers were missing the social interaction and needed it for their well being.

“As soon as restrictions allowed and we could meet in groups we arranged land training in Dolerw to encourage fitness and to promote the social interaction.

“We have lost members but the majority of swimmers have stayed with us and are enjoying their swimming time more now.

“To help further we branched out and started offering open water swimming.

“We have put two of our existing coaches through open water training coaching and had a good uptake in swimmers.”

Late last month four of the club’s members took part in the open water event held at Tal-Y-Llyn

It was the first event in open water for both Lewis Bebb and Halle Trigg who joined Aoife Matthews and Stephen Owen in action.

Aoife Matthews came first in the women’s group in 31 mins 54 seconds with Halle Trigg fourth in 34 minutes and six seconds.

Meanwhile Lewis Bebb ended second in the men’s race in 31 mins 24 seconds while Stephen Owen ended 11th in the men’s race with a time of 34 mins 46 seconds.