South Yorkshire Times August 31, 1957

Young Dearne Swimmer
Crosses Scarborough Bay

One of the youngest of 27 swimmers from Rotherham Neptunus swimming club who completed the annual swim across Scarborough Bay on Sunday morning was 13 years old Malcolm Dixon, of 7, Manor Avenue, Goldthorpe, son of the Neptunus coach, Barnburgh Main miner Mr G Dixon.

In bad weather, Malcolm, swimming in the second group of six club members, completed the course in 50 minutes – 25 minutes less than last year when he was the youngest member of the club to complete the course. This year, he was the second youngest entrant.

Only two of the 29 members – 15 boys and 14 girls – aged between 13 and 18 took part in the swim, which was organised by Rotherham Channel swimmer, Mr P Rising, had to be taken from the water before completing the course.

Malcolm who is a member of the swimming club organised by his father at Thurnscoe Baths, hopes to swim the Channel one day. “He has been able to swim since age of seven, and swimming the Channel has been his greatest dream the whole time,” said Mrs Dixon.

A pupil at Dearne side Secondary School, Malcolm holds several cups, shields and medals which he has on display in the living room of the house, and three swimming certificates which he has gained at school.

He has adopted the backstroke as his favourite style, and favours the hundred yard sprint race in indoor swimming.