Carnforth Otters were victorious for the third successive year at Kendal Swimming Club's invitation 'President's Gala,' held at the Kendal Leisure Centre mid-September.

Kendal invited four other clubs from Lancashire and Cumbria to take part, and all but Penrith submitted teams.

The gala is a mixture of relay races and individual swims in the age categories; ten years and under, 12 and under, 14 and under and open.

There were several outstanding performances by Carnforth swimmers who won 27 of the 48 races.

It was an exciting competition, with strong vocal support for all the teams.

Carnforth, who were promoted to the Premier Division of The North Lancashire League last season, built up an impressive lead early on, and despite some strong swimming from the other teams they were never headed and came out clear winners.

The final result was; Carnforth 250, Kendal 223 Lancaster 197 and Leyland 179.

The Otters' Microleague 'A' Team (12 years and under) have an important competition on Saturday September 28 when they swim against Leyland 'A', Preston 'A' and Fleetwood 'A' in the Microleague swim-offs.

The winners will represent the North West in the Northern Final staged at Everton Park on October 6.

This is a tremendous achievement for these young swimmers as Carnforth were only promoted to the first division at the beginning of this year!

This year Carnforth had four swimmers who qualified for the Nationals at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

In the National Age Groups Nicholas Tawn took a massive six seconds off his PB, just missing a place in the finals of the 200metres breaststroke.

Emily Jackson in the 200metres backstroke swam an equally impressive race taking over five seconds off her PB, which moved her 30 places up the national rankings.

In the older ages, now renamed the National Youth Championships, James Tait, a regular at these championships, swam his usual strong races coming a very creditable fifth in the final of the 100 metres breaststroke and improved on his national ranking to finish eleventh in the 200.

Sophie Casson competed in the 100 and 200 metres backstroke but unfortunately didn't make the finals in either.

Swimmers of this calibre in the club are an inspiration to all Carnforth Otters.

The club welcomes enquiries from all swimmers wishing to join a successful expanding club and currently has a few vacancies, especially for six, seven and eight year olds.

For details please contact Lexie Docton on 01524 824274