Newsflash

Home Gala 9th July 2011

Faversham and Folkestone go head to head

Local swimming clubs bathed in sunshine at Faversham Swimming Club’s recent One Length Development Sprint Gala. Faversham entered no less than twenty four of its elite swimmers, who wowed the crowd with some impressive performances.

Two of Faversham’s swimmers were out to leave their mark on the opposition and pulled out all the stops as personal best times went tumbling. Fourteen year old Joanne Hawkins entered four individual races and broke her own personal best times in all events, she was rewarded with a 2nd and 3rd place win in two races. Whilst Blaine Ramsden’s blistering pace in his events earned him a total of two 1st placings. Blaine also collected four personal best times.

Faversham and Folkestone swimming club had their own dual in the pool throughout the gala with barely a few points between them. Both teams showed grit and determination , but however hard they tried neither team could pull ahead on points and the gala was declared a dead heat with Faversham and Folkestone sharing the winning podium.

Faversham’s swimmers scooping 1st place were the 9 yrs and under mixed freestyle relay team, the 11 yrs and under mixed freestyle relay team, the 11 yrs and under mixed medley relay team and the 18 yrs and under mixed medley relay team. Emily Holt girls 9 yrs freestyle, Oliver Nye boys 9 yrs freestyle, Richard Catton boys 10 yrs backstroke (Personal best time 30.86) and freestyle (PB 24.25), Joe Wall boys 10 yrs butterfly, Olivia Hawkins girls 11 years backstroke, Blaine Ramsden boys 11 yrs backstroke (PB 26.06) and freestyle (PB 23.84). Molly McKenna girls 11 yrs butterfly, Flora Westlake girls 11 yrs freestyle, Tom Pearce boys 18 yrs and under backstroke (PB 22.05) and breaststroke.

2nd place was awarded to the 12 yrs and under mixed freestyle relay team, the 18 yrs and under mixed freestyle relay team and the 12 x one length mixed freestyle squadron relay team. Ruby Scott girls 9 yrs butterfly, Harry McKenna boys 9 yrs butterfly, Joe Wall boys 10 yrs breaststroke, Flora Westlake girls 12 yrs and under breaststroke. Rebecca Crouch girls 12 yrs and under backstroke (PB 26.76), Poppy Cleary girls 12 yrs and under freestyle, Joanne Hawkins girls 15 yrs and under backstroke (PB 26.05) and Ben Collins boys 15 yrs and under butterfly (PB 26.42).

Third place winners were the 12 years and under mixed medley relay team, Poppy Boorman girls 10 yrs breaststroke (PB 35.75), Alice Searley girls 11 yrs breaststroke (PB 32.77), Joe Wall boys 11 yrs butterfly, Rebecca Crouch girls 12 yrs butterfly (PB 25.28), Ben Collins boys 15 yrs backstroke (PB 26.52). Lydia Scott girls 15 yrs breaststroke (PB 28.67) and 18 yrs freestyle, Joanne Hawkins girls 18 yrs and under backstroke (PB 26.07) and Scott Kendall boys 18 yrs freestyle (PB 19.28).

Other swimmers claiming personal best times were Richard Catton boys backstroke (28.95), Blaine Ramsden boys butterfly (29.29) and breaststroke (35.98), Marty Boorman boys breaststroke (29.62) and freestyle (24.27), Joanne Hawkins girls breaststroke (29.87) and freestyle (22.38).

Faversham Swimming Club

Faversham Swimming Club was established in 1965 as a seasonal club at a time when the town had only an outdoor pool.

Faversham pools now benefits from both indoor and outdoor pools within one complex. The Club operates year round and provides activities covering a wide range of disciplines within the sport of swimming. Over 300 members from age 5 to 85 benefit from the Club.

  • Tadpoles (Beginners) - Children from age 5 upwards learn basic skills and water confidence under the guidance of experienced instructors and can work to achieve badges and awards.
  • Improvers - Children develop stroke techniques and build stamina and can gain more advanced awards.
  • Squadron - Full training given to committed swimmers in all strokes, turns and starts with a view to entering competitive galas and events at District level.
  • Synchro - Strong confident swimmers can learn to dance and move to music in the water, subject to a swimming trial.
  • Junior Water Polo - For competent swimmers wishing to initiate in this great water sport. Training is on Sundays 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Come along for a trial.
  • Adult Water Polo - Open to all members aged over 16 years, new member are always welcome. Training is on Tuesdays 8.30pm - 9.30pm. If you think you might be interested please come along for a trial on a Tuesday evening.
  • Masters - Adult lane swimming with a training programme, you need to be a member of the club.

For established members (Improver level upwards) additional activities are available:

  • Awards - Swimmers have the opportunity to gain ASA awards from basic skills to Honours level plus distance awards
  • Competitive Squad - For our committed swimmers who have reached competitive level, training sessions are held 3 - 4 times each week and there are opportunities to take part in competitive galas and events at District level.
  • Diving - Summer only - Swimmers learn a range of skills from basic jumps to complex dives from the 1,3 and 5 metre boards in the outdoor pool
  • Lifesaving - Swimmers learn invaluable skills of water safety and lifesaving and have the opportunity to gain awards at different levels
  • Synchro - members learn the art of synchronised swimming to music and have the opportunity to gain awards and take part in individual and team competitive events
  • Junior Water Polo - For competent swimmers, assessment may be required. 
  • Adult Water Polo - For ages 16 and over, a chance to play a high energy water sport.