A Toe in the Water.

Seventeen enthusiastic swimmers and a clutch of excited parents travelled to Warwick School for the Qualifying round of the IAPS swimming competition 2011. For most of the swimmers it was their first experience of a formal swimming competition. Six white clad officials, electronic touch pads at the end of the lane and a giant scoreboard added to the novelty of the day.

For the majority of the WHS swimmers qualification for the Finals Day next term was not a realistic expectation. Each swimmer gave his or her best and learnt much about the levels of attainment that can be reached when swimmers can swim every day. For one swimmer much was expected. J. Alley was entered in the 50m freestyle event, one of the last events of the day. It was a first chance for any of the WHS pupils to see him in action in the water and he did not disappoint. He blasted up the first leg establishing a commanding lead, which was lengthened with a fabulous turn. He flew home in a new personal best of 29.87secs. Inspired by this performance, B Wirth in the Year 8 freestyle event also won his heat and will now wait to see if his time is quick enough to get through to finals day.