The East Region Open Water Championships 2012 took place in the summer at Whitlingham Broad.

Nine members of Dereham Otters Swimming Club competed with excellent results, especially Sean Watson who was not only placed first in Norfolk but also first in the East region in the Mens Open 2km swim.

Ben Hoven (800m, 15-16yrs), Jamie Simpson-White (1.5km, aged 13), Georgia Boyd (1.5km, aged 12) and Eleanor Lavelle (800m, 13-14 years age group) achieved impressive first places amongst those swimming for Norfolk, in their respective age groups. The remaining Otters all swam hard to gain top four places in Norfolk, with Megan Mann second (13 years female 1.5K), Emily Gilbert second (13-14 years female 800m), Isla Rush third (13 years female 1.5K) and Emma Jones fourth (13 years female 1.5K)

These brilliant results are a reflection of the extra training that many of the swimmers undertook to practice lake swimming, which is very different to the pool, not to mention at least 10 degrees colder. There was a fantastic team spirit, with swimmers staying after their races to support the other Otters competing.