The end of November saw a nine strong Age Group and Elite team compete in the Luton Challenge. The team consisted of Hal Watts ,Charlie Minns, Charlotte West, Celie Mullen, Finlay Cook, Ollie Breach, Ethan Jones, James West and Quinn Shaw.
This 3 day event is unique in that all the divers compete up a year allowing them the first glimpse of their competition for the following year. The event is often gruelling with long days, but the team rose to the challenge and were rewarded with significant success stories for both individuals and the Club.
James West competing in his first event as a Group C diver was hoping to reach a final but surpassed this by gaining not only a 5th place on the 3m, but a Bronze medal on 1m and a Silver on platform. Ethan Jones joined James on the rostrum; winning Bronze and a new 3 dive PB in the platform event.
Hal Watts was on form throughout the 3 days reaching finals on all three boards. Taking 4th place on 3m and platform. Charlie Minns competing in just the platform event joined Ethan and James in showing that focused training on 7.5m and 10m when travelling to other clubs pays off by winning the Silver medal and beating divers with regular access to 10m facilities.
Charlotte West competing for the first time in Age Group A had a good competition throughout but it was on the last day that she showed her staying power and determination when she made her first top 6 placing in the preliminary. In the final Charlotte finished in 5th place.
Finlay Cook, just competing on the springboards, made both finals reaching 4th place in both. Ollie Breach joined him in the final on 3m taking 5th and rose a place on platform to take 4th.
