A strong team of Hythe Aqua Masters swimmers recently took part in the Kent County Masters Championships at the Black Lion Pool in Gillingham.  The 2010 County Masters Swimming Championships attracted more entries than ever from more participating clubs.
The competition was hotly contested throughout the afternoon by the twenty competing clubs.  Three clubs Hythe Aqua, RTW Monson and Saxon Crown opened up a lead from the other clubs and contested every point.  The final result saw RTW Monson secure the County Championship with 516 points with Hythe taking   second place just 22 points behind.
The strong Hythe Masters team secured over 37 gold medals, 19 silver and 18 bronze with many other point scoring positions.

Gold Medal winners
Ladies:
Maureen Fakley won 7 gold medals, with Melanie Parris and Inguna Reinhards both winning 3 golds, Patricia Ling winning 2 golds and Trish Ellis winning 1 gold.
Men:
Ernie Butler won 7 golds , David Staveley secured 5 golds, Stuart Parris 4 golds, Jason Ransley 2 golds and David Poore, David Evans, Phillip Moo, Alec Fakley all winning 1 gold.

Silver Medal winners
Ladies:
Donna Wickens x 2, Patricia Ling x 2, Inguna Reinhards, Melanie Parris, Ginny Fell, Kathryn Hoyland, Diana Burke and Pat Parris x 1.
Men:
David Evans x 3, Alec Fakley x 3, Nicholas Davies, Jason Ransley, David Staveley x 1

Bronze Medal Winners
Ladies:
Lois Williams & Diana Burke x 2, Kathryn Hoyland, Pat Parris, Maureen Fakley, Ginny Fell & Patricia Ling x 1
Men:
Martin Newland x 3, Jim Parris x 2, Duncan Cavanagh, David Evans, Nicholas Davies and Jason Ransley x 1

Masters swimming competitions are held under the same rules as mainstream competitive swimming . The events are organised in five years age bands from 25-29 years upwards. Competitions now often include 19-24 and 20-24 age bands. There are currently some 5,000 swimmers of masters age registered with the Amateur Swimming Association  with over 400 registered clubs across the UK.

Hythe Masters has over fifty competing swimmers across a broad range of age groups.  Hythe training is on Wednesday and Friday evenings at Hythe Pool where structured coached sessions take place aimed at improving technique and speed.