Four members of North Ayrshire Swimming Club picked up a total of 18 podium finishes as well as the Inverclyde Leisure Cup at the 25th Anniversary Inverclyde Masters last Friday and Saturday.

Carol Alderson, Gordon Fraser, Alan Hiddleston & Margaret McGill took home the cup after winning first-place in the 200+ freestyle relay race, a 4x50m relay (200+ refers to combined age).

The team won the 18 podium finishes in individual events grouped across different age bands.

Carol, 44, from Largs was the women’s category D overall winner on points with first-place medals in the 800m, 100m fly, backstroke and 200m individual medley (IM), came second in the 50m backstroke and third in the 50m fly and 100m freestyle, setting a personal best time in the 800m.

The success of the group was certainly a talking point for Carol, as she said after the event: “It was a fantastic, friendly meet. There were over 100 swimmers from across Scotland of all ages from 16-80+.

“Hopefully our success will can encourage more of our Masters to come along to next year’s event.”

Alan, 39, from Kilwinning won three second-place medals in the 800m, 100m freestyle and 200m IM as well as a third-place finish in the 50m freestyle.

Gordon Fraser, 53, from Stewarton managed to finish first in the 200m and 50m breaststroke, third place in the 100m breaststroke, without his goggles, and third in the 100m IM.

Margaret, 62, from Kilwinning won first place in the 50m and 200m freestyles in her age group along with a second in the 100m freestyle.

The team could have added more to their tally as a mishap meant they were entered into the wrong age group in the IM relay race, which they won before the mistake was noticed.

North Ayrshire Swimming Head Coach, Jess Wilkie said: “I thought they did really well and it’s great to see all their hard work and dedication is paying off.

“They certainly don’t hold back when they’re in training sessions and really push each other along.

“There’s always a space for anyone in Masters whether that’s going from people who’ve only just learned to swim through to a competitive swimmer – we even have an Olympic medal winner among our members!”

All four of the swimmers train with North Ayrshire swimming club’s Masters Squad which, for £15 a month, will give you access to sessions 5 days a week with morning or afternoon slots available across 4 North Ayrshire pools. Anyone is invited with no pressure to swim competitively.

If you are interested in the swimming club visit www.northayrshireswimming.com.