Dawlish swimming club has had an exciting last 18 months, writes Sarah Swanson.

While the pandemic has presented challenges to all of us, the club found itself without a suitable training venue and in need of a new head coach.

Fast forward to today and the club has set up base in the Trinity School pool, in Teignmouth.

This outdoor pool has been covered with a stainless steel frame and panels to enable a switch between outdoor and indoor modes, competitive starting equipment, and a permanent home.

A successful crowd funding campaign, has bolstered the club, and a new head coach in Iain Chalmers, has the club on the up.

Nowhere is this better demonstrated then at the National Arena Swimming League, which held its round 1 events.

The team, spearheaded by its new captain, Erin Curtis, and bolstered by new addition such as Team GB European Junior, Harry Noble, and swimmers selected for Swim England’s development programme, Bryony Hayward and Stanley Partridge, faced competition from their own division of the league in Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot and Devonport Royals.

They also shared the pool with Plymouth Leander who compete in a different division.

Evie Lewis got the club off to a flying start, snatching second place in the 200m Individual Medley, which was followed by teammates backing her up with multiple 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes to take an early lead in the points and hold off Paignton until the end.

Wins from Harry Noble, Tia Crews, Erin Curtis, Stanley Partridge, Ashby Edmonds, Yasmin Yelland and Lillie Morris among others helped the club to a decisive victory.

Head coach Iain Chalmers said” ‘I have been involved with many Arena League competitions and this is the most confident of them, and is a fantastic start for the club.

‘The swimmers have trained brilliantly over a very difficult period of time, and performed to such a level, that they more than deserve their success.’

Chairman, Dominic Kennedy Bruyneels, said: ‘This is the first step in our vision for the club.

‘Swimmers finding success on the back of tough training, creating noise and atmosphere, supporting each other and full congratulations to all of them.’

The swimmers will next make a splash in the competitions Round 2, in November.