Fourteen-year-old Charlie Coulam only started swimming competitively eighteen months ago, but in that short time the Bridlington swimmer has impressed officials so much that he has been selected to take part in a national talent programme next year.
Charlie is now a regular for Bridlington Swimming Club and earlier in December he attended the National Para-Swimming Championships in Manchester.
He had previously qualified to compete in an impressive total of six races , representing the 14-17 year-old age group range. Despite Charlie being one of the youngest competitors, he exeeded all expectations and came home with a bronze medal for a determined swim in the 100m backstroke. He also smashed his previous personal bests in the 50,100, and 400m freestyle events.
His mum Rachel was delighted with how Charlie had performed in a national event. She said: “Charlie has also been nominated and then selected to take part in the 2018 Swim England Para-Swimming Talent Programme which runs from January to September. He was selected for this by a swimming pathway official and will include him going away to specialist training camps.
Rachel added: “Charlie’s achieved so much in quite a short space of time. He trains hard and wants to progress as far as he can. None of this could of been achieved without his coaches at Bridlington Swimming Club. As a family – we would all like to thank them for the time, effort and care that they put into Charlie.”
