Chichester's top school swimmers turn in a gala performance

After 20 events, and with just a single race left, four of the six teams were still within touching distance of victory. The March led reigning champions Jessie Younghusband, Bosham and West Dean by a few points.

The final race featured four boys and four girls from Years 3 to 6. The crowd couldn’t pick a winner until the last moment, and the volume of cheering almost brought down the Westgate Leisure Centre’s roof.

Finally, though, Bosham and West Dean finished the race first and second. The outcome? Bosham won the division one title for only the second time in 27 years of the competition. Just four points behind them were serial winners West Dean.

Earlier in the evening, staged of course before the coronavirus lockdown, the inaugural division two gala had been no less exciting or noisy. The result of this contest was never in doubt, with North Mundham Primary School leading from start to finish and guaranteeing their promotion into the division one contest next year.

The leader of Chichester District Council, Eileen Lintill, and Kerrin Cruttenden, president of Sussex Amateur Swimming Association, were in attendance to hand out the trophies, rosettes and congratulations.

Cllr Lintill said: “This was a most enjoyable evening. Many races were very close, with the cheering of parents and supporters willing their entrant across the line. Congratulations to all who swam – and to Cormorants for putting on an excellent gala.”

Cormorants chairman Matthew Clive added: ‘There are very few competitive swimming opportunities for local schools, and we know the children, staff and parents of the participating schools really look forward to it.

“It’s a great environment for the kids to showcase their swimming – and of course, we hope some of them will decide to take up swimming as a sport with us.”

Chichester Cormorants are based at the Westgate centre and welcome new members from a range of age groups. The youngest swimmers in the club’s Bronze Academy squad are just eight, while for some members of the vibrant Masters group the next big birthday is 80 - though you’d never know it, they look so fit and well.

During the coronavirus crisis the club’s activities are suspended – but anyone who’d like to welcome back normality with some swimming training is welcome to contact them now, via chichester-cormorants.org