THE Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club held a very successful club championships over the past few weeks, but it was there was some sadness, as the club said farewell to one of its most valued and respected members, Steve Greenfield.

Greenfield has been involved with the club for over two decades, as both a very successful coach and swimmer. In fact it was Greenfield who, whilst in his role as the then current head coach, was instrumental in bringing the two swimming clubs in the town together, thus making the club a real force to be reckoned with.

Although Greenfield has relocated out of the Basingstoke area, he has promised he return and visit the club when he is in the area.

Over 140 of the clubs members took part in the club championships sponsored by local businesses Oakley Windows, Fireplaces Direct, bubbles bathrooms & tiles, Airkix, Costa Coffee and The Carpet Trade & Karndean Design Centre.

They raced in a full Olympic programme of events. The age range of the swimmers competing was vast, and includes members of the development groups, right up to the senior swimmers in the masters section of the club.

The championships provide an excellent opportunity for the clubs up and coming swimmers to post their first official recorded time in an event, whilst also enabling the more seasoned members to have a chance to update personal best times, and gain some invaluable early season race practice.

The races vary in distance, from the 50 metre sprint events, right up to the 800 and 1,500m for females and males respectively.

Next-up for the higher ranked swimmers is the ASA South East Regional Winter Championships, which is an open-age, short-course competition which take place at Portsmouth this weekend.