Our annual end of season swim and lunch took place on Sunday 3 November 2013 with 11 swimmers braving the cooling waters at Shore Road for an excellent swim to Sandbanks and back.
Three brave souls (Chris, Hannah and Mark) swam non-wetsuit which was most impressive and just maybe something to do with a certain channel relay attempt next year!
We then moved on to the magnificent Harbour View restaurant at the RLNI headquarters for our lunch. This is a wonderful venue with a magnificent backdrop of the Poole skyline. After a pre-lunch drink we were ready for our meal and gathered upstairs in the restaurant where 42 club members and guests enjoyed a meal in our usual EDOWSC friendly atmosphere. Christmas lunch without the crackers!
Whilst coffee was being served, our Annual Awards were presented by Gerry Griffin in his official role as Dorset County ASA President.
Bob Holman said that it had been a great year for the club. We had 31 new members and had increased our membership to 108. There had been 22 Tuesday swims averaging 27 swimmers and 17 Sunday swims with 11 swimmers. Most number of swims was by Mark Smith with 29 swims closely followed by Fred Rogers with 27 swims and Matt Smith with 25 swims. Well done Mark, Fred and Matt!
Bob went on to thank the RLSS Poole and Branksome clubs for their support in organising safety cover throughout the summer.
The Seahorse swim in June was again a great success with over 170 swimmers taking part and 165 swimmers completing the course. It was a real pleasure to welcome Heather Brown as a guest to the lunch as she had painted the magnificent watercolour seahorse paintings we presented to the Seahorse winners.
Our Swimtrek day along the magnificent Jurassic coast in August was again a great success and our 10kms. Swim in early September attracted a record 29 swimmers with 27 completing the course.
In addition our swimmers had done fantastically well in many competitive events during the summer. Bob went on to wish Ali and our two channel relay teams well next year. However, he felt that the real success of the club was how it had brought us all together in a friendly convivial way. It was great leading a super bunch of people and he thanked everyone for their enthusiasm and support throughout the year.
Annual Awards were presented to:
Best Male Swim: Mark Harris
Best Female Swim: Jo Ball
Most Improved Male Swimmer: Mark Smith
Most Improved Female Swimmer: Hannah Osmond & Holly Andrews
Swimmer of the Year- best all round achievements: Cathy Hartle
President’s Award: Jane Phillips
Chairman’s Award: Gerry Griffin
