A SWIMMING club is riding on the crest of a wave after ending its 11-year wait to win the Clyde Coast Mini League.

Members of the Ren96 team – who hail from all across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire – finally clinched the title at Ayr’s Citadel Leisure Centre for the first time since 2006.

The talented eight to 11-year-old swimmers saw off stiff competition from City of Glasgow, Inverclyde, Milngavie and Bearsden, Scotia and South Ayrshire to come out on top.

Ren96’s dominance was apparent when the final results were announced, with second-placed Inverclyde finishing 41 points behind the overall champions.

The action started from the first whistle as the Ren96 youngsters hit the water hard, closely followed by their counterparts from City of Glasgow and Inverclyde.

At the midway points reading, the soon-to-be champs had taken a slender 12-point lead.

But it was clear for all to see the Ren96 members were racing away with it early in the second half.

Though the Inverclyde swimmers hung in until the end, there was little they could do to turn the tide.

Ren96 chairman Leigh Walker said: “Our swimmers were fantastic. The excitement at times was almost too much to bear.”

Andy Jackson, head coach, added: “The result is amazing.”

The winning Ren96 team comprised: Ava Heasley, Max McKie, Madeline Paterson, Kai Connolly, Cassie Wyper, Anjali Pavri, Lily McCarey, Samantha Torrance, Adam Scott, Gregor Ross, Erin Harwood, Stella McCardie, Holly Millar, Luke Gardner, Charlie Hamilton, Harry Keough, Amy McAlonan, Chaorain Hart, Zoe McGinley, Gregor Ross, Emilia Rae, Mirin McAlister, Harri McDonald, Mitchell King, Luke Connelly and Ryan Crain.

They were coached by: Gillian Heasley, Andy Jackson, Nicola Jackson, Jonny Sprot and Catherine Gardner.

Ren96 stars also turned in a strong performance at the East District Open Water Championships at Lochgelly, Fife.

Jack Bell took gold for the 15/16 age group 3K, while Struan Kingdom achieved the same feat in the 1.5K.

Elsewhere, Rachael Grant took silver in the 13/14 bracket in the 1.5K.

Zoe McGinley also finished in second place in 12-year-olds’ 1.5K event.