Adult swimmers of all ages took to the water at the weekend for the first ‘Go Swim’ Pembrokeshire Adult Swimming Gala – and over 50 swimmers, aged between 19 and 85, took part in a series of individual and relay races at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre on SundayOrganised by Pembrokeshire Leisure – the leisure services arm of Pembrokeshire County Council – the gala was targeted primarily at regular leisure swimmers and newcomers to racing.
Cllr Elwyn enjoys it
It’s hoped that Sunday’s Gala will be the first of an annual event.
“Like the series of ‘Go Tri’ mini triathlons, the ‘Go Swim’ event is all about encouraging more people into physical activity and keeping fit,” said Councillor Elwyn Morse, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure.
“Although there’s a competitive element to the races, they are also about having fun, because the more people enjoy sport the more likely they are to continue doing it.”
Swimmers from all over the County took part in 25m, 50m and 100m races in a range of strokes.
Alison achieves her aim
Organiser Alison Willis of Haverfordwest Leisure Centre said she wanted to introduce more adult swimmers to competitive swimming albeit in a friendly fashion.
“Adult competitive swimming is proving increasingly popular in clubs across Britain,” she said.
“Several of the competitors on Sunday were the parents and even grandparents of children in our local swimming clubs who are more used to watching them compete than race themselves; while others were ex club swimmers or water polo players.”
Debut for Keith
Seventy one year old swimmer Keith Jackson - a regular early morning swimmer at Haverfordwest - said it had been the first time he had ever swum in a gala.
Pool side and time keeping duties were taken on by young club swimmers from Milford Haven, Pembroke and Fishguard, while the starter and referee was Carol Veale from Swim Wales.
PHOTO:
Pictured poolside at the Gala are three members of the four-strong Fishguard senior relay team, which had a combined age of over 240.L-R: Val Coleman, 85; Helen Walker, 57 and Martha Owen (Val’s daughter) 53.