CHARD AND DISTRICT SWIMMING CLUB

THE club held its third preliminaries gala at the start of February at Flamingo Pool in Axminster.

The gala is intended to give the club’s newest and youngest swimmers a taster at competitive swimming.

The races were all one length only in each of the four strokes, and over 60 excited six to 12-year-olds took part.

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 nine-year-olds and under: Cole Dickinson, Mia Huntley and Florence McConnell.

As the swimmers got ready for their races, the many gala jobs including time-keeping, marshalling, starter and place judge, were shared out between the club’s young volunteers who have taken or are taking part in the ASA South West Young Volunteer Programme, so it was truly a ‘team’ effort. Everyone taking part was presented with a certificate by club chairman Eric Van Den Barselaar, which included their times and they were then able to proudly show their parents.

The Chard and District Swimming Club are always looking for new members, with sessions held at Axminster, Chard and Crewkerne, as well as long course training at Millfield School pool. For details or to arrange a trial visit chardswimming.org.uk