A KENDAL swimmer who has represented the county has won over 300 medals during his seven-year career. 

James Escolme, from Gatebeck, had competed in numerous swimming galas and races since taking up the sport at eight years old.

The Dallam School pupil has competed in over 100 competitions and has claimed hundreds of accolades and medals.

Raymond Watson said: “James has won nine championships this year and taken four silver and two bronze medals.

“He also competed in the North West Regional Championships at Liverpool, winning three Gold and two Bronze.

“Based on these results he was invited by Swim England to participate in the British National Championships held at Sheffield where he came 9th in the Boys 16yrs 50m Breaststroke.”

“He then made another trip to Sheffield having qualified for the Swim England National Championships where he produced an outstanding performance to win a bronze medal in the final of the 200m Breaststroke.”

James’ mum Louise spoke of how proud she was of her son and his talents.

She said: “He’s been swimming for about seven years now. He started with normal swimming lessons at the leisure centre and he really enjoyed it.

“Ray Watson noticed his talents and told us about the trials and it went from there.

“He did a club gala at eight and then another Copeland gala at nine.

“After he was picked for the Kendal Team, he carried on from there.

“He’s done a lot of competitions. Probably going onto 100 competitions and he’s got over 300 medals in his room. He’s been claiming age group badges as well, and he won five of the junior championships and the senior one at county level.

“He enjoys the competitive side and he is now doing a level one teaching course.

“In 2019, he represented Cumbria for the first time in Sheffield. Covid stopped it since but he’s back there this weekend.

“It makes you so very proud seeing everything he’s done.”

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