Dereham Otters Shine at Norwich Swan Level 3 Open Meet
Meet: Norwich Swan Level 3 Open Meet
Date: 21st and 22nd March 2026
Venue: Sportspark, UEA
Dereham Otters delivered an outstanding performance at the Norwich Swan Level 3 Open Meet, held at UEA Sportpark on 21st and 22nd March 2026, returning home with an impressive medal haul and a remarkable number of personal bests.
Competing across a wide range of events, the team demonstrated depth, resilience and growing competitive confidence. Across the weekend, Otters swimmers secured an exceptional 21 gold medals, 14 silver medals and 21 bronze medals, underlining the strength of performances throughout the squad.
Even more encouraging was the total of 77 personal best times achieved over the two days — a clear reflection of the hard work and dedication being shown in training. The positive team atmosphere was evident throughout the meet, with swimmers supporting one another poolside, something briefly highlighted in club social media updates.
One of the standout moments came from 11-year-old Lakota Smith, who took on her first-ever 400m Individual Medley — one of the most demanding events in swimming, testing all four strokes as well as endurance and race management. Lakota rose impressively to the challenge, showing determination and composure beyond her years, and was rewarded with a well-earned medal. Her performance marked a significant milestone in her development and set a strong example for her teammates.
Ten-year-old Niamh Parnell delivered a truly exceptional weekend, securing an incredible six gold medals across her events. Her performances were consistently dominant, showcasing technical excellence and competitive confidence. Niamh’s success reflects her dedication in training and her ability to perform under pressure.
Overall, the Norwich Swan Open Meet proved to be a highly successful outing for Dereham Otters, with strong results, valuable race experience and plenty of positives as the club looks ahead to upcoming competitions.