If the old adage of starting as you mean to go on is true, Wycombe District Swimming Club (WDSC) could be set for a memorable Regional Championship campaign.

The club’s Youth & Senior team (aged 15+) were on top form over the course of the competition’s first weekend as they came away from the Portsmouth curtain raiser at the top of the medal table.

WDSC’s 19 gold medals leaves them three clear at the summit of the table, and the performance left head coach Kevin Brooks delighted.

He said: “I am thrilled at the results from this weekend, particularly when this weekend wasn’t our focus meet.

“Everything is about performing well in the summer target meets and this competition was great practice at the beginning of the new cycle.

“To be so highly ranked (as a team) and finish first in the youth table is great, but it’s purely an outcome to some great swims, processes and learning during the weekend.”

While WDSC’s 19 golds took the headlines there was further success in the pool as they also took home 12 silver and 11 bronze medals.

The strong showing came just weeks after they had impressed at the British Championships in Glasgow and the club is enjoying a purple patch of form at the moment.

Swimmers such as James McFadzen, James Eddy, Sophie Millen, Millie Sansome, Yasmin Tajali, Caitlin Mackay and Nicole Ryan all impressed to claim gold medals in a number of events.

Katie Crowhurst was among the club’s top performers as she won gold in the 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle Para races.

Isabelle Shea, Kate Lees, Daniel Alberts, Noah Dean, George Mann and Harriet Pugh also had weekends to remember as they reached their first ever Regional Finals. Brooks now wants to see the club go from strength to strength and has implored his swimmers to maintain their current lofty levels of performance at what was an enjoyable event.

“The team needs to build on all the recent successes and ensure that we all step up in the summer, when it matters the most,” he explained.

“What was also pleasing was how much better the finals sessions are now at the championships.

“Having a separate evening session really allows the swimmers to prepare for the finals and additionally make more fuss over the presentations – it felt like a championships this year, and this is great for the region.”

The Regional Championships continue on Saturday at the K2 in Crawley where WDSC’s younger swimmers will compete in the 11-14 age group.