Last weekend, our club Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club (CWSC) took part in the County qualifying gala at the Northolt Leisure Centre. We entered ourselves into different races, in all four different strokes: freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly, as well as individual medley (all four strokes in order). Times were recorded for every race and the first, second and third fastest in each age group would get a medal. Over the course of two days I swam in 13 races, achieving nine personal bests (PBs), three county qualifying times to add to the three I already had, and six medals (two golds, three silvers and one bronze). If you placed in the top eight in each race in your age group you also scored points for your club (eight points for 1st place down to one point for 8th place) and the club that scores the most points earns the “best club” award. I scored 57 points for my club and we won the best club award at the end of the weekend. County qualifying times are set for every single race and swimmers aim to get these times or faster, to be entered into the Middlesex County Championships in the New Year. Personal best times are the fastest you have ever swum that stroke over that distance. Attending a gala is a very exciting experience and is a chance to show how well you can do what you love.

Evelyn, Year 6