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Witham Dolphins Swimming Club

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Open Gala Archive - 2008

Jingle Bells Gala on Saturday 6th Dec 2008

22 Dolphins travelled down to Canvey Island on 6th December for the Jingle Bells Gala 2008. This is always a popular event; which almost didn't happen this time as, with a matter of weeks to go, an alternative venue had to be found whilst Runnymede's main pool was closed down for essential repair work!!

However, this didn't dampen our swimmers' spirits - in fact they raised their game and we came away with an impressive number of PB's, trophies and medals! Over the course of the gala we eventually left with a total of 26 PB's and no less than 36 top 6 placings!!  This included 3 first places (two for Abby Colton, the other for Lauren Baker; as well as 4x 2nds, 6x 3rds, 9x 4ths, 7x 5ths and 7x 6ths.

It's always good to see some of our less experienced swimmers having a go, along with the usual suspects of course!! There was such a good vibe in the waiting room, despite the cramped and rather gloomy conditions - I was so impressed by the good spirit in which they all encouraged each other to do well and generally kept each other going.

Whilst each and every Dolphin swam their socks off on the day, special mentions ought to go to Abby Colton, who picked up 2 first and 2 second places and improved on 2 of what were already Essex-qualifying times; Lauren Colton swimming her way to an Essex-qualifying time for her 50 back; and Abby and Lauren again, who along with Lauren Baker and Tom-Smith Evans gained a top 6 placing for each race they swam in.

Thanks go to Fiona, Alison and Pauline for doing a great job shepherding on poolside and in the whipping area!

Romford SC Open Sunday 23rd Nov 2008

As you know, a small number of us made it over to Enfield last night for the last session of this open. We'd submitted a lot more swimmers but the first 2 sessions were completely over-subscribed and we didn't get everyone in, unfortunately....
Anyhow: we had some success!!! Everyone swimming came away with either a PB, or a medal, or both!!

Jordan Brice
50 breast - pre race time 52.16, event time 50.24.
100 free - pre 1:19.44, event 1:14.61

James Dickson
50 breast - pre PB 47.38, event 49.82
200 breast - pre 3:54.65, event 3:51.36 and a 4th

Mikeala Gore
50 breast - pre 45.78 (her Essex quali swim at James Gibson), event 47.88 and a 6th
100m free - pre 1:21.57, event 1:18.49 and a 6th

Tom Smith-Evans
50 breast - pre 52.84 (at James Gibson), event 53.83
50 fly - pre 52.64, event 48.82

Matt Stoker
50 breast - pre 42.03 (at James Gibson), event 41.98 and a 2nd
50 fly - pre 37.24, event 37.62 and a 6th
100 free - 1:08.53, event 1:09.40 and a 6th
100 fly - pre 1:27.29, event 1:22.70 and a 3rd

Meg Vaughan
50 breast - pre 1:04.79, event 57.43
50 fly - pre 56.34, event 59.32 and a 4th

Thanks to Chris and Fiona for all the poolside organisation and also special thanks must go to James Dickson and a bottle of Tobasco sauce for providing the entertainment during the meal afterwards!!