A GIFTED swimmer achieved phenomenal success in her debut performance at a prestigious international competition.
Abby Comline won four silver medals at the Commonwealth Games Lifesaving Championships 2023.
The 20-year-old, from Knutsford, competed at the Windsor International Acquatic and Training Centre in Ontario, Canada, a world class state-of-the-art facility.
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“It was really exciting,” said Abby, a former student at Knutsford Academy, who took part in five days of intense competition.
“I’ve always been a swimmer but I haven’t been doing this sport long.”
Abby only developed lifesaving skills when she went to Loughborough University to study human biology.
“It took a while to get all the skills but once I got them, I really enjoyed it.”
Abby was chosen for the 20-strong England squad in April.
“We had a period of 12 months in which we were timed in different competitions.”
Dedicated swimmer Abby trains in the pool of dreams on her university campus, a British swimming national centre where some of the world’s leading swimmers are based.
“I train every day but Monday and twice on Wednesday,” said Abby, now in the final year of her degree.
“We have gained qualifications in survive and save, emergency response situations.
“The races I did had different elements where I had to dive to the bottom of the pool and pick up a mannequin and carry it.”
Team England came second overall.
“We went in not knowing what to expect,” said Abby.
“We were really pleased with how it went.
“The aim now is to try and get this sport included in the Olympics.”
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