Kingfishers’ team gala was a "roaring success"

Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club put on a show to remember on Saturday, 6 July, as part of a busy day of sport at Quayside. 

While the Skate Jam provided the atmosphere outside, the balcony of the Quayside Leisure Centre swimming pool was arguably noisier, filled with over 100 spectators shouting for their team - adding to the swimmers' cheers on poolside.

Chloe Morris completes a relay takeover - credit Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club

The visiting clubs joining Kingfishers in the inaugural President’s Shield - named after long-standing Club President Mel Jeynes - were Devonport Royal, Exmouth, and Dinnaton, as well as Cornwall’s number one team Caradon Kraken. 

Amongst a clattering of drums and boom sticks, South West regional medalist Chloe Morris dived in for the first race, and secured a brilliant first win for Kingfishers in the 100m Individual Medley - pipping the Dinnaton swimmer to the wall. Oliver Douglas then backed this up with a strong second place in the boys race. 

The medley relays came next, with two boys and two girls in each age group teaming up to race four legs of 50 metres. Dinnaton began to assert their authority in the older age groups and pulled ahead, with Kingfishers in a close battle for second with Devonport and Caradon.

Each race continued to be met with noise and celebration, as swimmers aged between nine and 14 powered up and down, swimming several brilliant personal best times. On debut for Kingfishers, George Stone, Romy Stephenson, Daniel Carrick, Rory Lennon, Mike Douglas and Toby Morris all competed strongly with the majority swimming Personal Bests.  

The support of local businesses helped elevate the gala further, with some races being declared as hot heats, meaning the winner would also collect a prize. Luna’s Library kindly donated three sets of books and sweets - two of which were won comfortably by a pair of excellent Under 10s from Exmouth, and one was won by Dinnaton.

Dinnaton hoovered up plenty of points and prizes, with three more winners. Free family entry to the South Devon Maize Maze, a £20 multi-store gift card donated by the Electric Center, and afternoon tea for a family of four at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel were all claimed by the club based near Ivybridge. 

Oliver McKinlay was the only Kingfisher to win a sponsored Hot Heat - credit Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club

A Devonport swimmer won a shirt donated by Salcombe SeaWear, while Oliver McKinlay from Kingfishers was the only home winner, dominating the Under 14s 100m Freestyle to win a skate helmet donated by The Trading Post. 

As the racing continued, Kingfishers won an excitingly close boys mixed age freestyle relay, and they began to pull clear of Caradon and Devonport into second place. Every point mattered, and at one stage Kingfishers had closed the gap to Dinnaton to within 20 points, but the guests from Ivybridge pulled away towards the end to become the first ever victors of the President’s Shield. 

The captains of Dinnaton were handed their shield, donated by property management company Coastal Concierge, to huge cheers from their swimmers and supporters. The gala had been set up to provide a significant challenge to the fast-improving Kingfishers swimmers, but they surpassed expectations to finish in second.

Caradon pipped Devonport to third place, while Exmouth rounded off the scoring in 5th - but were a credit to their club with several strong performances from their youngest swimmers who will likely drive them forwards in future years. Exmouth made a round trip of 94 miles to compete at Quayside, the most of any club.

Kingfishers would also like to place on record their thanks to our lane sponsors for the day: Salcombe Shepherd Huts, Tally Ho! Coaches, John Taylor Flooring, Dan Wills Carpentry and Joinery, and Fika Coffee House. Their support for youth sport in Kingsbridge is much welcomed. 

Also thanks must go to the team and young lifeguards at Quayside Leisure Centre who helped the smooth running of the day and supported a cake sale that raised over £300 towards new starting blocks.

The swimming season finishes with a trip to Devonport’s Sizzler Open Meet at the Life Centre, but planning for the 2024-25 cycle has already commenced with high hopes for an upgraded Club Championships in November and more qualification prospects for the County Championships in January.

Story submitted by Conor Morgan - Kingsbridge Kingfishers Assistant Coach