Branwen’s new lease of life (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Branwen’s new lease of life

4:00pm Thursday 22nd September 2011 in Wiltshire Sport By Dan Barnes

CHIPPENHAM swimmer Branwen Harris is gearing up to represent England at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in South Africa less than a year after taking up the discipline.

The 23-year-old, who lives on Ridings Mead, recently graduated from Loughborough University and only began competing in her final year of studying for a degree in psychology.

Harris, who was Wiltshire’s county swimming captain in 2005, will represent England in the 50 metre manikin carry event, as well as the medley relay, manikin relay, and obstacle relay.

“I’d always swam but I wanted to try something a bit different at uni and something a little less serious because there’s a lot of sport at Loughborough,” she said.

“I got invited to an England trial after doing well at the University Championships (BUCS) and the nationals – I guess I turned out to be quite good at it.

“I didn’t even know the sport existed until uni so it’s strange but I’m really excited about South Africa.”

The Commonwealth Championships begin on September 28 in Durban.