The last few weeks have been very busy for the Tenby Dolphins, both in and out of the water. There have been numerous galas, at an individual and team level, and various fundraising and fun events for the children.

A summary of the galas is as follows:

Tiger Bay Open Meet, March 23 to 25 - Six swimmers travelled to the City of Cardiff pool for this long course weekend, namely Luke Dedonker, Emily Dilks, Katie Hicks, Charlotte O'Neill, Alanya Thomas and Owen Thomas. All swam out of their age group, with the exception of Luke.

Unfortunately, after the first warm-up session, Katie Hicks slipped whilst stepping over an opponent's kit bag and ended up in A and E with a sprained ankle, meaning she missed her first and second events.  

Luckily, Katie returned to the pool to attempt the third session and still managed over a two-second PB in her 200m IM - and just missed out on a medal place.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen clashing commitments with an Urdd final, Emily was unable to attend her first day's competition also, but congratulations to her for the Urdd success.

Of the 29 races swum, the swimmers managed 14 personal best times (PBs) and the skills learnt in training were starting to become evident, especially the underwater work, with Alanya demonstrating lovely streamlining off each turn.  

On the second day, Katie managed a gold for her 400m IM and a massive 11 seconds off her 100m Fly time. Owen took bronze in a hard fought 400m Freestyle event with an impressive 15 second PB. Every swimmer managed to PB at least one event.  

Congratulations to all swimmers and parents for their effort and commitment over this very long weekend.

'No time gala' at Llanelli March 31 - This gala allows the younger swimmers to get official times for the strokes/distances for which they have no times. Tenby were represented by Dylan Morgan, Morgan Grieve, Tilly O'Neill and Harry Thomas.

The swimmers did themselves proud by winning the following.

Morgan Grieve, gold in the 100m Breast and two bronze in the 100m Back and 200m Freestyle.

Three silvers - Dylan Morgan 100m Breast, 50m Breast and 100m IM.

One bronze - for Tilly O'Neill in the 100m Breast.

Also Harry Thomas pitched in with several PBs in a tough age group.

Swim Wales Welsh Age Groups, April 6-9 - Over the Easter weekend, Tenby were represented at the Welsh age groups by Ashleigh Willars, Jemma Hurds, Katie Hicks, Hazel Fox, Dan Davies, Ffion Davies, Hanna Saunders, Carys Davies, Lillie Murray-Coller and Arabella Haley.

Notable achievements over the weekend were: Hanna Saunders - 1st 200 back, 2nd 200 IM, 3rd 200 Breast and 100 Back; Hazel Fox - 2nd 200m Breast and 200 Fly, 3rd 100 Breast and 200 IM; Ffion Davies - 1st 200 Fly; Jemma Hurds swam well and made several finals and PB'd in most of her races. There were also good PBs for the rest of the team - approx. 66 per cent PB rate.

Swim Swansea Long Course, May 13 to 15 - Thirteen swimmers attended this very busy event, namely Hazel Fox, Jemma Hurds, Caleb O Neill, Carys Davies (pictured), Ashleigh Willars, Katie Hicks, Arabella Hayley, Emily Dilks, Charlotte O'Neill, Owen Thomas, Lillie Murray Coller, Harrison Cole Picton.

There was some very tough competition, with all clubs from South Wales present as well as clubs from Southampton, Ellesmere Port and Bristol, amongst others. Medals were difficult to win, but the team did very well, with 29 finals reached and 58 per cent of the swims resulting in PBs. So well done to all swimmers!

Finalists (or top eight finishers in non-heat events) were: Katie Hicks two finals, Caleb O'Neill two finals, Arabella Hayley eight finals, Harrison Cole Picton seven finals (two bronze medals), Emily Dilks one final, Hazel Fox five finals (two bronze medals), Ashleigh Willars two finals, Carys Davies two finals (one gold).

Notable swims were Carys and Caleb's 50m Freestyle, Gemma's 15 sec PB in the 400IM and Harrison's 18 sec PB in the 400 Free.

May 19, Dyfed Team challenge (under 12s) at Carmarthen Pool - The Dolphins joined seven other teams from Dyfed to compete in this team event, consisting of both individual and relay races for ages eight to 12 years old, this type of event being particularly suited to the younger and more inexperienced swimmers to give them a flavour of a gala environment.

Overall the team came fifth, so well done to all swimmers, particularly those who swam for the club for the first time, namely Hope Yeates, Ella Warren Stock, Lauren Roberts, Cerys Morgan, Taran Richards, William Davies

Amman Valley Open Meeting, June 9 - Seven swimmers attending this event, namely Caleb O'Neill, Tilly O'Neill, Ashleigh Willars, Arabella Hayley, Emily Dilks, Alanya Thomas, Harrison Cole Picton. Well done to Harrison, who won two golds and a silver in his own age group in the 50 Fly, 100 IM and 50 Free, Caleb, who won gold and silver in the 50 Free and 50 Fly, and Arabella, who won bronze in the 100 Fly.

All swimmers demonstrated good technique on the day and 60 per cent of the swims resulted in PBs, so good work to all!

Swimmer of the Month

Well done to Gemma Hurds for winning the May Swimmer of the Month for her performances at the Welsh Nationals (see earlier). This is part of some new club initiatives, as is the Trainer of the Month award.

County Selection

Well done to Harrison, Morgan, Caleb, Billy, Arabella and Emily for being selected for the recent Pembrokeshire County Skills squads.

Fundraising and activities

Well done to all the budding Delia's and Jamie Oliver's (Delia's is more likely to be the case as I did not see many cakes made by the dads) for the cakes baked for the recent Cake Bake, which raised funds for the team and went down a storm with the children, with all cakes sold before the training had been completed.

The team enjoyed a Jubilee Bank Holiday BBQ and Camp which was a resounding success. Well done to Sarah and Rob for sourcing the food and arranging the facilities; also thanks to all the other parents who contributed, attended and braved the cold night in the tents.

All the children had a good time and enjoyed the camping, despite the typical British summer serving up the usual dire weather.

More fun events will be arranged for the summer - please keep an eye on the notice board for details of the next events.

Unfortunately, Steve Davie is stepping down as head coach at the end of June as his daughter Bethan is moving to Devon to study/swim. Steve has done a great job in his head coach position and sacrificed many hours in helping many of the swimmers in their pursuit of improvement.

Thanks to Steve for the dedication and guidance and good luck to Bethan for the future, you'll both be missed.