Support Aaron
AN AQUATIC SENSATION - ONE TO WATCH
LATEST NEWS - JANUARY 2010
Aaron has now achieved national qualifying times in 50mtrs freestyle (23.74 secs), 100 mtrs freestyle and 100 and 200mtrs backstroke. At the last open competition at Millfield in December he achieved a gold medal in 100 freestyle, silver and 100 back and bronze in 200 back. Now first in country in 50 metres back for 16 year olds. These times and positions will enable him to enter National Meet in Sheffield in July. He also has a British Championships time in 50 mtrs back which enables him to swim at the British Championships to be held in Sheffield in March.
About Aaron
Aaron Rickhuss, who started swimming with Kingsbridge Kingfishers last year, has won a swimming scholarship to Plymouth College/Plymouth Leander. He also took part in the National Youth Championships back in July/Aug in Sheffield. His events included the 100m & 200m backstroke, as well as the 50m & 100m freestyle events. Since joining Plymouth Leander his swimming has excelled.
His times for all events have tumbled dramatically, producing “personal bests” every time he has competed. He won 5 medals at the Devon County events in Feb/March, 3 in Championship finals and 2 in age finals. He made finals and Medaled in the Western Counties in May. Aaron also competed for the Plymouth Leander “A team” at the Speedo League National Finals in Sheffield, where he swam the fastest leg in the 50m Freestyle relay in an incredible 24.0 sec. Aaron also qualified for the British Championships later this year
At the end of July Aaron went to The National Youth Swimming Championships in Sheffield, where all his hard work and dedication over the past 12 months paid off. His aim was to make semi finals which he did for all of his events. But Aaron alos made 3 finals, gaining a silver medal in the 100m free relay and is now ranked 4th in the country for his age. He smashed all of his pb's making this the best meet for him so far. Aaron starts back at Plymouth Leander full of determination to excel even further this season. His aim is now to qualify for The British Championships in Sheffield next March.
On the merit of his performances at the National youth Championships, Aaron has been offered a place on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme run by the Amateur Swimming Association.
Aarons swimming potential was noticed by his father at a young age. His father Mark, who tragically died in 2005, was himself a National Gold Medalist, and later on in his life, was the fastest British swimmer to swim the English Channel in 1999, and who also won the title of Best Open Water Swimmer of 1999, by the British Long Distance Swimming Association.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Aaron's ultimate aim is to swim for his country at the highest level, at the World Championships, Commonwealth or Olympic Games. He is exceptionally dedicated and self motivated. To have any chance of achieving his goals it is a long and costly process. Although Aaron has a scholarship of 40%, his mum still has to find £13,500 every year for him to attend the Elite Swimming Programme. In addition to this, club memberships, competition entry fees and body suits amount to over £5,000 per year. He has to enter all events to qualify for The Nationals and British Championships where selection for GB squad takes place.
Aaron's mother Joanne is trying to sell her house to pay the fees for the next 3 years. Aaron's grandmother Jan would like to ask people and businesses locally, nationally and internationally if they are able to sponsor Aaron. Any contribution large or small would be very much appreciated and will help this talented young athlete achieve his dream.
Thank you to Kingsbridge Kingfishers, Aaron second claim club for their invaluable support. Dartmouth Golf and Country Club are fund raising for Aaron's swim meets, clothing etc. Any local business's interested in funding/sponsoring Aaron please call Jamie Waugh, Managing Director 01803 712686
A fund has been set up and donation can be made in the following ways:
Cheque or postal order to
Aaron Rickhuss Swim Fund
Lloyds TSB
Kingsbridge
Devon
TQ7 1PN
Made payable to 'Aaron Rickhuss Swim Fund
If you would like to arrange a bank transfer please contact Jamie Waugh (see below)
Kind regards
Jamie Waugh
Managing Director
Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, Blackawton, Totnes, Devon TQ9 7DE
Tel: 01803 712686
Fax: 01803 712628
