OTTERS Swimming Club took part in a well contested gala on Saturday, against Dawlish one of the strongest clubs in Devon.
Otters, the Okehampton swimming club, came second overall with Exmouth and Honiton clubs coming third and fourth respectively.
Many Otters achieved personal best times in their events and a few were close to or exceeded county qualifying times.
Otters were the only club to be able to provide swimmers in all age classes for girls and boys showing the breadth of young swimmers in the club.
Notable performances came from Dominic Wooldridge who won all three of his individual events at U16, arguably the best being in the 100m butterfly in a time of 1.05.29.
Others included U9 boys Jack Rutley winning the 50m butterfly and William Cunningham the 50m breaststroke.
For the girls, many came close to winning but in some events the other swimmers were very strong and on occasions virtually all of county standard making it an especially tough competition.
Nick Bowles, the Otters head coach, said:? 'The children had excelled, and although a number of individuals swam well beyond their personal bests, most pleasing of all was the team spirit and the performance across all ages, especially in the combined relays. Congratulations to them all.'
Andy Rutley, the gala co-ordinator, added:?'The club wanted to compete in more galas, to give as wide a range of children the opportunity to take part in competition at levels to suit their ability.
'We could do more if we could get more help. We are always on the look out for parents to get more involved and in particular to be trained as coaches. 'Indeed a number of us are taking a nationally recognised coaching award next month run by the Amateur Swimming Association.' So if you're keen to get involved please email club chairman Robert Ewen on [email protected]">[email protected]