Young members of the area’s largest swimming club have been praised after some impressive performances at keenly-contested events.

Hundreds of swimmers from across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire represent REN96, which is based at the On-X leisure hub, in Linwood, but also holds 50 training sessions every week across several local pools, including those in Erskine, Barrhead and Neilston.

Recent challenges have included rounds one and two of the annual Clydecoast Mini-League, for swimmers under the age of 12.

In the first round, REN96 fought off tough competition from North Ayrshire Amateur Swimming Club and last year’s Mini-League winners Inverclyde Amateur Swimming Club to come from behind at the halfway point and win by four points.

Round two took place at Scotstoun, in Glasgow, where REN96 were up against City of Glasgow and Dumfries swimming clubs.

Although REN96 were always just in the lead, it was only in the final relays that their strength shone through, bringing another victory.

Adam Riley REN96 coach, said “I have been attending Mini League since 2011 and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard louder meets than these. They were unbelievable.

“Our whole team was amazing – the swimmers, team managers, coaches, club captain and vice-captain, technical officials and the parents watching the meet, who definitely could be heard. It was a true team effort.

“Thank-you to everybody involved in this fantastic event, including our kit sponsor GMH Chartered Accountants.”

A new challenge awaits REN96 in round three, when a place in the Mini-League final will be up for grabs.

Closer to home, the club hosted its own two-day event, with 200 swimmers from 26 clubs competing to achieve qualifying times for the Scottish National Age Group (SNAGS) swimming event that will take place in Aberdeen next month.

A total of 60 swimmers from REN96 were in action across the weekend, setting 194 personal best (PB) times between them.

Three achieved their first SNAGS qualifying times of the season and many more posted times for entry to additional events that will improve their chances of swimming at SNAGS.

Overall, REN96 won 30 gold medals, as well as 20 silver and 19 bronze.

This year, REN96 will take more than 40 swimmers to SNAGS, which is twice the number compared to 2023.

Showcasing the depth of talent REN96 has in its ranks, 86 swimmers also competed at the Renfrew Baths swimming club’s two-day development meet at the On-X.

Those aged 11 and under were given the chance to shine on Saturday and, for many, this was their first competition, which meant there were a lot of nerves at the start of each session.

They quickly put this behind them, though, and got down to some serious racing, with all showing a marked increase in their skill levels, resulting in many PBs being set.

The medal haul for REN96 stood at 24 gold, 17 silver and 13 bronze as it finished as top club on the Saturday for both the girls and boys teams.

Sunday saw REN96 swimmers aged between 12 and 16 in action at the same meet.

With plenty of home support, they secured 10 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze, making REN96 overall top club at the event.