Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club win President’s Shield

Kingfishers claimed a first team gala victory in several years after earning the most points at the 2025 President’s Shield held at Quayside Leisure Centre.

This was the second edition of the event, following on from 2024 when Kingsbridge’s bright orange hats finished as runners-up.

However on this occasion there was to be no stopping Kingfishers’ young swimmers, who came from behind after the first handful of races to end up as the day’s champions.

The gala consists of 34 individual races and 10 relays, with five teams competing for five points in each event. Kingfishers’ first individual winner was Lucas Quiggin in the 14 and under 100 Individual Medley.

Also winning their races on the day were Lottie Taylor, Freddie Stathers, Chloe Morris, Toby Morris, Emily Baxter, Callum Weeks, Will Robinson, Louisa Wood, Layla Quiggin and Edna Gallego-Cooper.

Everyone who swam in a Kingfishers hat helped with the points scoring, with close battles behind first place and a handful of strong wins in the relay events. 

Chloe Morris takes the final dive off the old blocks, taking over from Lucas Quiggin - credit Tim Stathers

KKSC were pleased to host guest clubs from across the region for the 2025 event, with Exmouth Swimming Club finishing in second place after coming fifth the previous year. Caradon Swimming Club, based in East Cornwall, were third. Devonport Royal finished fourth, while a less experienced Kingfishers’ team made up of several new swimmers came in fifth.

The final race of the day was also the final ever race off the original starting blocks that have been part of the furniture at Quayside Leisure Centre since the pool’s opening in 1998. Chloe Morris and Rory Lennon were the last Kingfishers to take a dive off the blocks which have served the club and almost 1,000 members for the past 27 years. 

Chloe ended up winning the final event for her team, in her final home race as a Kingsbridge Kingfishers swimmer. She will continue in orange until the English Nationals, before joining one of the strongest clubs in the country at Millfield School. 

The event was improved further with a brilliant atmosphere on poolside, with swimmers and supporters cheering on their team. Eight of the races were sponsored hot heats, with prizes donated by Costa Coffee, Anchor Sports, The Globe Inn Frogmore, Fika Coffee House, Wills Health, The Cove and Salcombe Sea Wear. KKSC won three out of the eight hot heats. 

KKSC have also recently competed in the Devon Development Gala, where they finished as the third most successful club in Devon. The competition - for swimmers who compete below regional level - saw many Kingfishers tackle longer distance races and a haul of medals won. 

The next gala for Kingfishers will feature more advanced KKSC swimmers alongside the developing ones, at the Devonport Sizzler Open Meet at Plymouth Life Centre on 12 and 13 July. The season then ends with Chloe Morris going to Nationals in Sheffield at the end of the month. 

- Conor Morgan