Diss Otters Open Masters Swimming Gala in Wymondham - 24th May 2003[2]
by Paula
So off we trundled off into deepest darkest Norfolk for Charles first gala. Supporting him (showing how swimming is not supposed to be done!) were the lovely ladies (Liz, Jo and myself), and distance swimmer 'extraordinaire' Pete.
Impington started off with a 5th place in the mixed 160 years medley relay, with Liz, Charles, Jo and Peter making up the team.
Then came the 50m freestyle - 'just get a good start and enjoy it' we told Charles, we didn't even mention the turns - the walls were so slippery you just had to give it your best shot. 35.34 was Charles time, no medal in his age group but a brilliant swim from the race virgin! Pete finished with a time of 34.38. Liz won a gold in her age group (41.22), I went under 36s for the first time ever (35.84 - well, I was swimming next to veteran record holder Jane Asher!) and Jo finally got a time for her 50m free (41.90).
The 50m backstroke saw Liz win another gold (47.39) and Pete a bronze (44.33).
Liz, Paula and Jo all competed in the 50m fly, with Jo taking bronze after officials changed her age group from 35-39 years to 30-34 years (46.04) and I added another silver to my collection (42.04 - another PB!). Liz missed out on yet another gold with silver in a time of 55.88.
50m breast - Charles main event. Having previously swum a time of 43s at a Cambridge time trial earlier this year, he managed to swim an amazing 40.83 ('I only learnt to swim a few years ago' - don't you hate that!!) - fantastic!
Peter who decided he was feeling ill by this point also swam a good time of 47.66.
I however, a breastroker since the age of 9, swam what I though was a good race, but they gave me a terrible time of 45.52.I am sure they forgot to stop the stop watch?!! It gave me a silver medal anyway. Liz again won a gold medal in 47.09 and Jo finished in a time of 48.34.
Finally the IM, Liz pulled out due to a wrist injury (thanks to Charles for driving us home!), no medals but good swims from Peter (1.38.75), Jo (1.41.95) and myself (1.32.78 - although I did think I was going to vomit on the final length.)
One last freestyle relay where Charles, Jo, Paula and Pete won a bronze in 1.07.12 and then off for a well deserved curry in Wymondham. Yum.
When's the next gala then?
Paula (photos by Charles).