GIRL power made a splash at Peebles Swimming Club's presentation evening last weekend.

A trio of the club's leading girl swimmers scooped the main prizes during the ceremony.

Maisie Mowat, 11, was named Most Promising Swimmer, while 10-year-old Natasha Banner collected the Most Improved Swimmer trophy and Borders Elite Swim Team member Zahara Smith, 12, was crowned Swimmer of the Year.

A delighted Maisie said: "I was really surprised and happy that the coaches named me Most Promising Swimmer this year.

"I look up to the other swimmers who have won this award before me and hope I can become as strong and fast in the water as them.”

Dozens of young swimmers attended the awards ceremony at Peebles Golf Club.

As well as a memorable evening for the awards winners, it was also a night to savour for Olivia Easton.

The 16-year-old was announced as the new Club Captain.

She told us: "I’ve been swimming for the club for seven years and being Club Captain is an exciting new challenge for me.

"I’m looking forward to welcoming new members to our club and working more closely with everyone in the team.”

Olivia will be supported in her new role by the club’s first ever Junior Captains, Fergus Weston and Ashleigh Drake, and by Ambassadors Freya Gibson, Layla McCullough and Zahara Smith.

Fergus, 12, said the Captains and Ambassadors have big ideas for the future of their club.

He added: "We want our club to get bigger and even better this year and we’ll be working with the swimmers to develop fresh and fun ideas for fundraising and events.”

A total of 38 talented young swimmers received awards for their swimming successes on the night.

Between them they set 13 club records during the past year as well beating off competition from eight other clubs to win their own swimming gala for the first time since 1997.

Head Coach Rosie Sim said: "Our motto is Swim Fast and Have Fun, and every one of our members has delivered this in 2019.

"Our coaches have done an amazing job at developing new skills and techniques in the water and their hard work has delivered some truly great results.

"It also gives me great pleasure to see our talented squad break 13 of our own club records in the past 12 months.”

The recent Club Championships and Freestyle Finals saw some hard fought races, with many swimmers gaining new personal bests.

Club Championships

8 and under girls and boys champions: Madison Smith and George Pickburn

9 and under girls and boys champions: Maisie McCullough and Drew Mulligan

10 and under girls and boys champions: Natasha Banner and Aaron Drake

11-12 years girls and boys champions: Layla McCullough and Fergus Weston

Junior girls and boys champions: Kirsten Duncan and David Syme

Freestyle Finals

10 and under girls and boys 50 Freestyle champions: Natasha Banner and Aaron Drake

11-12 girls and boys 50 freestyle champions: Ashleigh Drake and Fergus Weston

Junior girls and boys 50 freestyle champions: Katie Rees and David Syme

12 & under girls and boy 200 freestyle champions: Rosie Dickson and Aaron Drake

400 girls and boys freestyle champions: Ashleigh Drake and David Syme

Full list of 2019 Peebles Amateur Swimming Club Winners: Arran Grandison, Freya Gibson, Luke Grieve, Harris Thomson, Moya McLaughlin, Alfie Smith, Alice Williams, Archie Smellie, Maisie McCullough, Zahara Smith, Drew Mulligan, Eddie Ferry, Frankie Smellie, Fergus Weston, Layla McCullough, Natasha Banner, Rosie Dickson, Robyn Gibson, Katie Goddard, Madison Smith, Aaron Drake, Ashleigh Drake, Callum Cameron, Elena Lee, Emily Oliver, Danny Smith, Anna Haworth, Alec Weston, Hamish Ackerman, Gregor Oliver, Maisie Mowat, Lottie Mulligan, Katie Rees, Kirsten Duncan, Katie McMillian, Amy MacKay, David Syme and Olivia Easton