Making a big splash are eight local athletes who have been crowned as champions at the North Ayrshire Swimming awards.

Between them they walked off with more than a third of the prizes given out at the ceremony at Saltcoats Town Hall.

Shields and cups were awarded to the swimmers who came out top over two rounds of the club championships as well as winners chosen by the coaches for their performances over the last year.

Isla Waller from Largs was one of three who were multiple award winners.

She was surprised and delighted to receive both the 12 year-old-girls title and the choice of Head Coach, Jess Wilkie as swimmer of the year.

“Isla has improved so much in the last year. She’s worked very hard on her skill,” commented Jess as she announced her choice. “She’s worked extremely hard at her performance in competitions, especially the mental side of the sport.

It was also a double celebration for Emma Binnie, from Skelmorlie, who came out top in the competition for the best 10-year-old girl and was also chosen as the Synchro team’s land trainer of the year.

Junior Coach, Alan Dickson commented: “It’s been a fantastic year for Emma in both her competitive swimming and synchro work. She’s a regular attender and such a consistent performer at training so it was no surprise to me that she’s taken this award.”

Synchro coach Helen Ternent added: “Emma’s our first swimmer to have been awarded two grades in the one session and has achieved phenomenal things. She’s always got a smile on her face and pushes herself on in the land training and it’s a joy to have her with us.”

Kouper Sloss lifted the 10-year-old boys trophy with Alan observing: “He’s only just moved into Gold squad and he puts his all into every session.”

Lewis Bray, from Inverkip collected the 9-year-old boys shield. “Lewis has got a really pleasant attitude and a fiercely competitive nature and he’s an absolute pleasure to coach,” said Alan in the video revealing the winner. “He provides us with feedback during the sessions and he’s always positive and takes on board what we’re trying to tell him”

Matthew Shanks made two trips to the front of the room to receive the shields for 14-year-old boy and the Coach’s award from Jess Wilkie.

It was no surprise to anyone who follows swimming in Ayrshire to see Fraser Kelly collect the 15/16 old boys shield after another year representing the club on the national stage at Scottish and British level.

“Fraser always gets in the water and pushes himself as hard as he can and Leah’s been working really hard in training all through the last year,” says Jess.

2019 Jess made it one of her missions to get members of our Masters squad competing in the club championships again,

Carol Alderson, from Largs, was the first swimmer in many years to have a name engraved on the trophy after coming out top among the three who competed in the championships.

“Carol comes to multiple sessions every week and it’s great to see her improving and starting to compete,” says a delighted Head Coach.

Kenny Hamill was awarded the matching shield for the men.