HUNDREDS of young swimmers have taken part in an annual swimming gala at Bar End Leisure Centre.
The 22nd Winchester City Penguins Primary Schools Gala welcomed more than 230 children from 23 schools to the event on Friday, June 7.
More than 20 races were held, including both individual and relay events, as well as an invitational float relay.
READ MORE: Hampshire swimming club hoping to produce Olympians by 2028
This year’s main sponsor was Winchester Round Table, with other sponsors including Super Camps, Kings School Winchester, Everyone Active, Treasure Gymnastics, Ultimate Activity Camps, Degado Tennis, Clear Path and Christes Hospital.
The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith, came to support the children and help with presenting trophies and rosettes to the winners.
Sue Falconer, Chair of Winchester City Swimming Club, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome so many local children to a morning of competition and fun in the water, and to see how many local schools support swimming.
“Swimming is a life skill, for safety, healthy activity and fun.
“As a charity, our aim is that local children are able to swim 25m before they leave primary school, and believe it is important to support our community. We hope all those who participated enjoyed the morning whatever the results of the races.”
Full list of schools that took part: All Saints, Bishop’s Waltham, Colden Common, Compton All Saints, John Keble, Kings Worthy, Otterbourne, Owslebury, Pilgrims’, Prince’s Mead, Sherborne House, South Wonston, Sparsholt, St. Bede, St Faith’s, St. Swithuns, St. Swithuns Wells, Stanmore, Twyford, Twyford St Mary’s, Weeke, Western and Winnall.
SEE ALSO: Hampshire swimmers 'abandoned' at Portugal airport after flight is diverted
Winners:
Year Four Boys, 25m – Joshua Read, Western
Year Four Girls, 25m – Astrid Tilley, Prince’s Mead
Boys mixed stroke relay – Weeke
Girls mixed stroke relay – Bishop’s Waltham
Boys freestyle relay – Twyford
Girls freestyle relay – Twyford
Boys invitational relay – John Keble
Girls invitational relay – Weeke
For more information about lessons, competitive swimming and community programmes with Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club go to wcpsc.org.uk or contact lessonsadmin@wcpsc.org.uk.
To see a gallery of photos from the swimming gala, click the image at the top of the article.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here