Dawlish Ribbon Gala

After Exeter's successes at the Devon Age Group Championships, attention turned to the club's younger and (in some cases) less experienced swimmers. The Dawlish Ribbon Gala, for children 12 years and under, gave many swimmers the chance to compete against other clubs for the first time.

Nineteen of Exeter's swimmers achieved at least one top 3 finish, eleven of whom took gold. Owen Hopwood (12) won all five of his races, a feat almost matched by Tomas Piskac (9) with four golds and a bronze. Other multiple winners included Eleanor Brandon (12) with two golds, and Alexander Cole (10) with three. Adam Bagshaw (10), Millie Brunskill (7), Annabel Courtney (10), Anna Czipri (9), Rosie Kendall (8), James McCarthy (11) and Emilia Raymond (11) won one gold each. Among the many silvers, special mention goes to Cameron Duncan (12) for finishing second in each of his three races, and to Sam Jelley (11) for his three second-places.

The Ribbon Gala was a great opportunity for swimmers to gain experience of competition, giving them plenty of close racing and readying them for exciting challenges ahead. There were terrific performances in all age groups and strokes, suggesting that the future of the club is in good hands.

P.S. The following swimmers set a new gala record: Owen Hopwood (Boys 12yo 50m free); Eleanor Brandon (Girls 12yo 50m fly and 100m IM); Alex Cole (Boys 10yo 50m fly, 50m free, and 100m IM); Rosie Kendall (Girls 8yo 25m fly); Tomas Piskac (Boys 9yo 50m free and 100m IM); Millie Brunskill (Girls 7 and under 25m free).