Chard and District Swimming Club held another successful Preliminaries Gala last weekend at Flamingo Pool, Axminster, writes Heather Pullinger.

The gala, mainly for the 10 and unders, is intended to give the club’s newest and youngest swimmers a taster at competitive swimming at a fun, and friendly gala.

The races were all one length in each of the four strokes, and over 40 young swimmers took part - supported by parents and friends watching from poolside.

Congratulations go to three swimmers who swam under 20 seconds for the first time in their 25m freestyle race and so achieved the club’s bronze speed badge for 9-year-olds and under: Nia McConnell, Alice Clark, Bella Young and Ottilie Brazier-Pethick.

They join five other swimmers this year so far who achieved club speed badges at Club Gala 1; Helen Underwood, Mia Huntley, Phoebe Clark, Mia Porter and Ben Webb who all achieved the silver badge for swimming 50m freestyle in under 36 seconds.

Time-keeping and marshalling was undertaken by several of the club’s older swimmers who have or will be are taking part in the ASA South West Young Volunteer Programme, so it was truly a ‘team’ effort: Jamie Pullinger, Simon Davies, Henry Taswell, Millie Downes, Briana Barrand, Abi Greenslade, Susan Ross and Tessa Down.

They were joined by several ‘rookie’ parents who were getting their first taste at time-keeping ahead of formal training as time-keepers, so a big thank you to all of them. All those taking part received a club certificate confirming their times, which were presented at the end by club chairman Gordon Davis to:

Well done, to all swimmers taking part: Esme Huntley, Flo, Nia and Tilly McConnell, Posy Doble, Kaitlyn Flannigan, Abbie Herbert, Catherine Webb, Mia Porter, Bella Young, Alice Clark, Cerys Williams, Lily Sims, Darcie Cockburn, Lola Saxby, Sarah Cawley, Daisy and Marcie Russell, Alara Jenkin, Emilia Smith, Megan Lees, Delilah Hutter, Emily and Claire Handel, Ava Farthing, Rose Davies, Emily Williams, Sophie Mara, Saara Hedditch, Ottilie Brazier-Pethick, Rebecca Randolph, Willow Voysey, Ben Webb, Finlay Downes, Sam Davies, Oliver Collins, William and Henry Birchall, Harrison Porter, Dylan Nolan, Edward Sims, Finley Jenkin and Noah Peters.

Chard and District Swimming Club are always looking for new members; sessions are held at Axminster, Chard and Crewkerne, as well as long course training at Millfield School pool.

If you would like to find out more or arrange a free trial please visit our web-site at www.chardswimming.org.uk