Swimming Gala 

Report by Akela

November 30th 2002

Due to a mix up in dates and one suffering from a heavy cold we were unable to field a full squad of 11 Cubs to participate in this years Swimming Gala – but the 8 who did make it swam their hearts out and did us proud.

Diving – The Heats


One practice dive first, to get wet and to make sure that the water was deep enough, and then into the real thing. A pair of nines from the two judges for Georgia (George as she prefers) a top score with only two others matching it. A dropped point for a small splash on her next dive meant an overall score of 35, good enough for the finals.

Round 2

1 Length Free Style for 10 year olds, Tom H was in for us and took his time, held his nerve and swam conserving his energies. He was saving himself for the finals. The second heat and our second place in the finals.

Round 3

Daniel swam so well and was beaten into fourth place by not much more than a gnat’s whisker so no finals place for him in this event.

Round 4

1 Length Free Style for 9 year olds. George (see above) swam well and was narrowly beaten by some older and stronger boy’s after all she is only 8. Fourth place for her, a brilliant attempt.

Round 5

1 Length Breaststroke for 9 year olds. Mike was our man and was superb. Straight into the finals

Round 6

1 Length backstroke. Aimee mum told me via Mrs. Akela that Aimee's event was backstroke. Up against older and stronger boy’s and another girl. Aimee's mum was not wrong, another finalist for our team. (She finished 2nd - Ed)

Round 7

2 Widths freestyle for 8 year olds, Charlotte one of our youngest and most enthusiastic Cubs was in for us. Unfortunately this wasn’t to be her event and was she was narrowly beaten into fourth place. She was to take no further part in this event.

Round 8

3 Lengths of the pool, relay style. Our team was made up of Tom H, Dan and Shaun and what a team they made. Tom swam the first length and got us a credible fourth position, Dan was next man in and swam his leg using backstroke and got us up to third. Shaun, last man in, had a battle royal, was neck and neck along the full length but with a last ditch effort held onto his position and yet another final for Team Stockwood.


Round 9

1 Width Egg and Spoon for non-swimmers, as we really didn’t have a non-swimmer we told a little fib and Ryan C was our entrant. Akela had been a little unkind and had told him that as he could swim he would have to do his width in the deep end. I think he believed me, until he told his mum (sorry Ryan). Again an excellent swim (walk) and another finalist joined the ranks.

The Finals

Diving

George did really well and really deserved her Third place, well done her

Other Events

In our other events Tom was beaten into 6th place, as was Mike in his. Aimee to manage to finish in 6th place – a pattern emerging here thought I, but only to be spoiled by our relay team finished 5th.
Ryan C was the highest placed finalist with a brilliant 2nd place.

All of the participants had a wonderful time and really enjoyed themselves; all of the Cubs from all of the packs were a credit to the spirit of scouting and sportsmanship. The parents and leaders were loud in their support; even more so for those who may not have won, but did their best.

The final result was in joint 3rd place; the honors were shared by 5th St Luke's and the 82nd. Joint 2nd place 107th and 21st and the overall winners were 148th Tuesday Cubs. Well done them.

Thanks to Angela who organized this her 10th Swimming Gala and now that she is an expert is retiring and passing on the reins of ADC Cubs to Simon. A presentation was made to Angela by Simon on behalf of all of the Cub Leaders to thank her for her time in office, rumored to be longer than she will admit to. 

Thanks to Rich from Seymours Club for his comparing expertise and thanks to Keynsham Leisure Centre for the use of their pool. 

Akela mantel of Sun God is intact as it didn’t rain, perhaps being inside helped and his thanks to Hathi, Baloo (new name for Alison as she has now gone into uniform) and to Abi for their personal and vocal support – ooh my head hurts.