TWO young synchronised swimmers from the Garnock Valley have qualified for the Scottish National Championships after brilliant performances at a grading day in Bo’ness.

The North Ayrshire Synchro team, which trains at Garnock and Auchenharvie pools, had seven swimmers sitting their Figures Grades, which are a requirement for entry into competitions as they progress in the sport.

The event was attended by clubs from all over Scotland, and some had even come from England for the day.

The day included tests of their flexibility and skills on land as well as in the water with the first challenge being a test of how well they can do the splits.

Danielle Ternent (14) from Dalry and Erin Furey (12) from Barrmill, were sitting Grade 3 and all performed fantastically achieving 10cm and 20cm oversplits, meaning their front leg was raised on foam blocks while their crotch was still flat on the floor.

Kerry Ternent, Danielle’s twin, was being tested at Grade 2, and achieved flat splits or close to flat.

It was also the first experience of a grading day for the club’s youngest swimmer, Grace Thom (9) from Lochwinnoch, who conquered her nerves to achieve a flat and almost flat on her left and right left splits.

After the splits test it was straight into the pool.

Coach Lynne Harper said: “The girls have been working very hard on all their figures, they just need to stay calm and focused and remember extension!”

While the Grade 1 and 3 swimmers were being tested, the Grade 2 girls faced an anxious wait on poolside.

Assistant coach Helen Ternent said: “We told them, don’t worry about the results, just go out and do your best, we believe in you.

And the wise advice paid off with all seven of the team getting passes at bronze level.

“We are all so proud of the girls and the work they have put in to get these fabulous results,” said Lead Synchro Coach, Emma Miller.

“The results also mean that Danielle and Erin are now eligible to be entered into the Scottish National and Age Group Open Championships which is a huge step forward for us as a squad only in our third year of competing. As a team we now have five girls eligible to compete at National level and we’re delighted,"she added.

The SNAGs event takes place in Drumchapel over the weekend of October 27 and 28.