30 November 2021

DASC held its first club gala since February 2020, with swimmers age 9 & over from all squads invited to take part. Medals were received by the top 3 swimmers in each age group and there were club gala trophies awarded for some of the events. There were some fantastic times achieved and, with some great first swims from our novice swimmers, it was a fabulous evening! Well done to everyone who took part.

Although the gala licence was granted for awards at age on 31st December 2021, we have held club gala records for many years achieved on the actual club gala date, so we have continued with that practice. Congratulations go to the following:

Boys 11&12 years 50m Butterfly – Alexander Morton, A1 Squad – 30.74

Girls 11&12 years 200m Freestyle – Lucy Oliver, Top Squad – 2:15.40

Boys 13&14 years 200m Freestyle – Alex Boyer, Top Squad – 2:10.89

And, not forgetting Lewis Kestle who exactly equalled the Boys 13&14 years 50m Butterfly time of 30.53 to 0.01 seconds standing since 2013. Unfortunately, Lewis’s name will not appear on the records.

It was the first time that one of our internal galas has been licensed by SE (at level 4), meaning that times will appear on the SE database. This was made possible by the willingness of qualified referees from RDASC to officiate at the gala, along with DASC’s own qualified gala officials.

DASC also very much appreciates the technical support given in the poolside office and on poolside by Ian Proud, the Dolphin Centre staff for the gala set-up, DASC coaches and poolside volunteers, and especially to Carol Bottomley, the gala organiser. The gala ran smoothly and it was great to be back racing, even if we were unable to admit spectators onto poolside for it.

If your swimmer did not enter this time, we would strongly encourage them to do so next time we hold a club gala. If you would like to find out more about becoming an official or about any of the voluntary roles within the Club speak to your squad coach or ask at the Club desk to be signposted to the right person.

Report by Carol Bottomley and Jane Teague