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Killerwhales went to the compact 25m pool at Haverhill for the West Suffolk SC Licensed Open on Saturday and Sunday 7^th and 8^th May 2005. Whilst the venue was limited for space and conditions may have cramped most peoples style many of the 'whales' stood out from the crowd and put in very impressive performances.

Kirsty Forbes was never out of the medals with 4 gold’s and two silvers from her 6 races in the girls 14/15 age group. The first places were in the 400m Medley, 100m & 200m Backstroke and 200m Butterfly, and the second places for the 100m freestyle and 200m breaststroke.

Ellen Scott in the 12/13 yr age group showed she is getting back to the sort of standards she set a few years ago with some impressive performances taking 1^st place in the 200m breaststroke and a pair of bronze medals in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke. She set two new personal best times in the 400m and 200m medley races when finishing 4^th and 5^th respectively and also claimed 5^th place in a new pb for the 200m freestyle.

16 year olds Daniel Hime and David Haynes both took well deserved places in their races against some seasoned competitors. Daniel after a bout of mumps swam well to take 2^nd in the 100m fly in a new best time, a hat-trick of bronze medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and 200m medley, 5^th and 6^th places in the 400m and 100m freestyle. David also took a hat-trick of bronze medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200m freestyle, he followed this with 4 in the 50m free and took 6^th place 200m backstroke in a new personal best time.

In the girls 16 years and over is was difficult to tell who of the three girls was happier with their achievements. Julia Braybrooke was deservedly delighted with a silver medal in the gruelling 200m butterfly which she finished in a new best time. Julia also finished 4^th in the 100m fly 6^th in the 200m backstroke and 6^th in the 400m medley which again saw her set a new best time. Laura Andrews was equally as delighted to claim a place in all 5 of her races taking bronze in the 100m butterfly and four 4^th places in the 200m & 400m medley, 100m & 200m freestyle the latter of these being in a new best time. Alice Scott could not stop smiling after storming away and winning her 200m breaststroke heat which was enough for her to take the bronze medal. She also claimed 5^th place in the 100m breaststroke.

In the boys 14/15 year age group Daniel Bleach had personal backstroke success by taking 4^th place in the 50m race and then setting two personal best times in the 100m and 200m races. James Shelley grabbed 5^th place in the 50m freestyle but was once again marginally outside 60 secs for the 100m freestyle. Tom Bircham gain two new personal best times for his 100m backstroke and 100m Breaststroke events, Adam Conway also improved two on two of his previous times for the 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle. Toby Davis also bettered his 100m freestyle time. 

In the same age group for the girls Henny Andrews took bronze in the 100m breaststroke and then took 5^th over 200m, she also claimed fourth spot for her 200m medley. Lauren Andrews claimed 5^th place in the 100m butterfly race. Susannah Haynes and Ellena Wheatley both managed to improve a time apiece in the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly respectively.

In the girls 12/13year age group Robyn Beadel took 4^th place in the 200m butterfly and 5^th place in the 200m backstroke whilst also setting a new best time for the 100m breaststroke. 12 year old Katinka Merchan had a weekend to remember although her best finishing position was 6^th in the 200m butterfly it was in a new best time as were her performances in the 50m back, 100m back and 400m medley, the latter two being inside the Southern Counties BAGCATS qualifying times. Kalei Andrews had a titanic battle with team-mate Katinka in the 200m fly and was just pipped into 7th place but improved on her previous time by over 29 seconds, it was also in the fly, over 50m that Kalei set a new best time. Young Amy Hime also improved two of her times in the 100m freestyle and the 50m backstroke. It was also pleasing to see Georgia Shaw showing signs of improvement with new best times in her 100m backstroke and her 50m breaststroke. 

Competing in the boys 11yr/under age group Toby Andrews managed some fine swims and improved his 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly times. Andrew Dawkins in the 12/13 age group improved on his 100m backstroke time.