Despite horrendous weather, Emma Harvey and Mitchell Gariépy each smashed two records on Saturday when Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association held the first of three meets in a Best of the BEST competition to be run throughout the year.

Racing in the eight and under age group, Harvey set a new mark in the 50 metres butterfly, clocking 46.08 seconds, taking more than a second off her own record time (47.39) set last November. She then finished the 400 metres freestyle in 6:44.36, lowering Megan Lau's previoius record of 6:58.42, set last April.

Gariépy, in the 9-10 age division, also enjoyed a great day in the pool, winning the 200 metres breaststroke in 3:24.37, taking the record away from Trevor Nelson (3:25.90) set last November.

In the 9-10 300 metres Individual Medley he also set a new mark of 6:17.80, destroying Giles Lorimer-Turner's record of 7:11.43 set almost three years ago on April 21, 2007.

Ben Smith, Aquatics Manager/National swimming coach and Sharks head coach, said: "It's good to see the large number of younger swimmers that we have in the sport at the moment. Even with the bad weather there was great spirit and some very strong times.

"Mitch Gariépy continues to have a very good season. After lowering his personal best in the 200 metres free, he went on to break the 400 IM record by close to a minute and then the 200 breast by one second. He is showing potential in all strokes and all distances."

Richard Goodwin, National swimming coach/Harbour Head coach, commented: "It was a credit to the entire swimming community that the meet was able to be held and in particular, the swimmers, who braved the conditions and once again were able to produce many new personal bests."

He said the highlight of the meet was Gariepy "who continues to assault the record book."

"Emma Harvey, who in her first time swimming the 400 metres freestyle, took the eight and under record as well as breaking her own 50 butterfly record."

Trevor Cowen of Dolphins Swim Club said: "The Dolphins had a total of 35 personal bests for a combined team improvement of 246.54 seconds."

Smith added: "We hope that next week's second series of the Best of the BEST meets will have better weather and produce even more great swims. This will be the last local competition for qualifying for the Carifta team."

Best Shipping are sponsoring the three-meet series wich continues this weekend and on April 10 and will be awarding trophies to boys and girls in each age group who amass the most points over the three meets.

In order to be eligible to win these awards swimmers must compete in a minimum of two of the three meets and points awarded will be based on the FINA points system where they will be totalled from six events over the series.

The six events must include at least three of the five swimming disciplines – freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and Individual Medley – and swimmers will be allowed a maximum of two distances in any discipline for points accumulation.