TWO championship records were broken at Kendal ASC's first gala of the season at Kendal Leisure Centre.

The first record went to Cara Marshall in the U12 girls 100m breaststroke. She knocked over two seconds from the previous record to take the title in 1:34.89 with Abigail Taylor second, 1:45.28, and Kate Langley third in 1:49.53 The second record went to Catherine Pickthall who maintained last season's great form to take the 100m ladies breaststroke title in 1:19.84. Sarah Jones challenged right to the line to finish second in 1:20.35 and Sophie Stewart was third in 1.24.45 Younger swimmers also had an opportunity to show their skills with some experiencing their first competitive gala.

In the U10 girls 25m backstroke Jenny Mather hit the line first in 22.10 challenged all the way by Ellie Robinson, 23.48, and Faye Rawlinson, 24.48 In the corresponding boys event Joseph Stafford was the victor in 23.23 chased home by Andrew Turner 25.35 and Daniel Nowell 26.82 With a strong swim James Clarke took the U12 boys butterfly title in 1:28.48 The U14 girls freestyle produced an exciting race with Sophie Matthews and Kirsty-Jo Blenkarn neck and neck throughout the race. Matthews just touched in first in 1:09.72 to take the title with Blenkarn a close second in 1:09.92 and Rosie Gregg third 1:14.84.

The U14 boys breaststroke produced an equally exciting finish with Ross Kilshaw, Marc Robinson and Chris Proudfoot all in close contention as they approached the finish. Kilshaw hit the wall first taking the title in 1:29.11, followed by Robinson, 1:29.40, and Proudfoot, 1:29.68 In the U11 girls 50 freestyle final Becky Beech charged home in 41.43 with spirited performances from Bryony Halcrow, second in 44.77, and Lily Wates, third in 46.40.

The 100m junior men's backstroke title was taken by Glen Robinson with a powerful swim in 1:10.87 hotly pursued by Ryan Nowell, 1:17.43, and Josh Stafford, 1:20.97.

The final swims of the evening were middle-distance events. The 400m ladies freestyle produced great swims. Catherine Pickthall took the title in 4:50.86, chased all the way to the line by Hannah Moseley, 4:56.13, and Nicola Rigg, 4:58.84 In the 200m men's freestyle, Darren Stewart, 2:12.91, swam strongly to take the title with Ryan Nowell second in 2:16.43 and Conor Bolton third in 2:42.57.