OKEHAMPTON Otters held its final friendly gala before the summer break on Saturday at the Parklands Leisure Centre in Simmons Park. Competing against strong opposition from Dawlish and Exmouth, Okehampton fielded two full teams, allowing a host of additional swimmers an opportunity to experience competition conditions. In a number of races Okehampton?s competitive and determined swimmers resulted in close finishes allowing the second team to steal valuable points from the first team. By the close Dawlish were the winners by a single point to Exmouth with the Okehampton first team in third slot a few points adrift. On the night, Okehampton swimmers managed to break one club record, three age group records and improve on 57 personal best swims from eighty five recorded swims. Recently returning to the club, 14-year-old Alex Wooldridge was rewarded for his efforts by setting a new club record in the 100m individual medley. Two events later Matthew Westlake went within half a second of snatching the title away from Alex, both now having beaten the previous record for this event. Age group records fell to Matthew Westlake,14 years 50m backstroke and breaststroke and Alex Wooldridge, 14 years 100m individual medley. The Otters managed eleven first places and 25 second places between the two teams in the 62-event gala. Firsts fell to Matthew Westlake 100m individual medley, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, Matthew Webber 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle, Rebecca Ewen 50m backstroke, Tom Aylen 50m backstroke, Sam Collett 50m backstroke, Rebecca Chapman 50m breastroke, Eloise Allen 50m freestyle and the mixed 14 years freestyle relay team of Matthew Westlake, Matthew Webber, Elona Wonnacott and Rebecca Ewen. Full team Emily Alexander, Jake Jendon, Sam Collett, George Speak, James Speak, Josh Speak, Tom Aylen, Michael Aylen, Jonathan Aylen, Matthew Westlake, Matthew Webber, Oliver Kirby, Kieran Mitchell, Abi Hill, Elona Wonnacott, Amelia Allen, Eloise Allen, Martyn Allen, George Roberts, Robert O?Neil, Ben Hurley, Chloe Dunn, Tanya Mitchell, Hannah Packer, Alex Wooldridge, Clemency Tilley, Kimberley Balsdon, Alex Hurley, Rebecca Chapman, Sarah Thomas, Kelly Holter, Kim Stanton, Abi Stocks, Alice Meardon, Jess Miller, Mia Fallon Clark, Charlotte Radnor, John Radnor, Abi Westlake, Kimberley Balsdon, Luke Wonnacott, Diggory North, Isabelle Ewen, Claire Squire, James Kelly, Hannah Packer, Huw Draper and Sophie Friend. The Otters will compete in their final gala of the season next week at Dawlish. Training will resume on Monday September 5 at 7pm. Five parents from the club recently completed the ASA level 1 assistant teachers? course held at the Okehampton Pool and tutored by ASA tutor and coach Pam Wade. The club will be hoping to welcome Sue Roberts, Paul Hammett, Debbie Webber, Bob Collett and Fiona Aylen onto poolside in September to assist in teaching. This Sunday the club will have trialled in excess of 20 young swimmers hoping to join. The club will be looking for swimmers that have gained as a minimum requirement their level 7 certificate in the national plan for teaching swimming or equivalent. Anyone wishing to join the club and wanting to attend a trial for the junior club should contact the membership secretary on 01 409 221377. Masters swimmers (over 19 and able to swim lengths) should contact 01837 840663 or for lifesaving 01837 840283.
