What a summer it has been for swimming fans. I'm sure even non-aficionados can not fail to have been impressed by the amazing performances of Michael Phelps et al at the Beijing Olympics, and what about our British successes? Becky Adlington's double gold and David Davies's second Olympic medal were highlights, as were David Roberts and Ellie Simmonds achievements at the Paralympics. Fantastic! What more motivation could our local youngsters possibly need!

In our last report, we encouraged our swimmers to keep up their training throughout the summer, and we are delighted that many of you did just that. After just a couple of early season galas, you can already see the results of your continued hard work.

 

Open Competition Results

 

The first open meet of the season took place on October 4 and 14 of our team entered and made the trip to take part in the Llanelli Swimming Club autumn meet. This was a one-day competition with a full suite of 50m and 100m races for the swimmers to take part in.

The Tenby contingent were: Nick Allen, Gemma Amos, Lauren Arthur, Sophie Arthur, Bethan Davie, Gareth Davie, Matt Davie, Johnnie Delahunty, Lydia Dilks, Elliot Hoad, Sam Lewis, Safiya Rooney, Hannah Saunders and Henry Whittaker.

The competition was well attended and there were some super performances across the board, with all of our swimmers either picking up medals and/or recording new PBs.

Our medallists were as follows: Gemma Amos (16/O) - second 100m fly, second 50m breast, second 50m fly and third 100m IM; Lauren Arthur (13 years) - third 50m fly; Sophie Arthur (16/O) - second 50m back, third 50m breast, third 100m back, third 50m fly; Bethan Davie (13 years) - first 100m breast, first 50m breast, first 100m back, first 50m back, first 100m fly, first 50m fly, first 100m free, first 50m free, first 100m IM; Gareth Davie (nine years) - first 100m back, third 50m breast; Matt Davie (15 years) - second 50m breast, second 100m breast, second 100m IM, second 100m free, third 50m free; Johnnie Delahunty (15 years) - first 50m free, first 100m free, first 50m fly, second 100m fly, second 50m back, third 50m breast, third 100m back, third 100m breast, third 100m IM; Elliot Hoad (12 years) - first 50m breast, second 50m fly, third 100m breast; Sam Lewis (13 years) - second 100m breast, second 100m back, second 50m free, second 50m fly, second 50m breast, second 100m free, second 50m back, third 100m IM, third 100m fly; Hannah Saunders (10 years) -first 50m back, first 100m breast, first 50m breast, third 100m IM, third 100m back; Henry Whittaker (14 years) - third 50m back.

Well done everyone that was a fine medal haul! Well done also to Bethan Davie, who after a maximum point scoring performance, picked up the best girl overall award.

Head coach John Amos was delighted with the swimmers efforts, and was pleased to report that everyone came away from the meet with  performances to be proud of.

 

Team Competition Results

 

The very next day, the first team competition of the year, the annual RAOB gala for swimmers of 10 and under, took place at Pembroke Leisure Centre. Your correspondent, who was on foreign shores at the time, is extremely grateful to our new junior team manager, Sarah Hicks, for compiling the following account:

Congratulations to the whole Dolphins Junior Team for a great achievement again at the 2008 RAOB on Sunday, October 5, by winning all four trophies (boys, girls, overall and cannon).

Thanks to our head coach John for arranging a pre-competition training session on the previous Sunday to the main RAOB competition.

This was well attended by the junior squad and helped focus some, whilst allowing the younger swimmers to watch the older ones show how it should be done. 

For this meet we had some new, young competition swimmers as well as those now older 'professionals'. 

Unfortunately a 'county wide' viral illness did stop a couple of expected swimmers from competing at the last minute (very last in one case) but those who stood in at short notice did a wonderful job. 

It was a close contest with Haverfordwest again this year and both Milford and Pembroke didn't give up the fight. 

Each team had individual strong swimmers, but Tenby succeeded due to a strong team effort.

Our swimmers set 22 PBs ranging from fractions of a second to over eight seconds!  Some of our swimmers were a little disappointed not to win their race, but their second, third and occasional fourth places all helped the team points tally.  

Photos and times have gone up on the team notice board with a request for volunteers to help with occasional duties, e.g. silverware cleaning!

My thanks go to John, Steph, Paul, Emmet and Simon for all the help on pool side and all supporters who helped raise the vocal support.