Forres Bluefins' event is a real Christmas Cracker
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FORRES Bluefins celebrated the festive period with a fun handicap Christmas Cracker event.
The event, organised by coach Grant Wright, was a knockout format, with a total of 64 competitors.
Youngsters of all abilities from a variety of clubs, including Forres Academy Swim Club, Freestyle Swim Club, Moray Masters and Elgin Amateur Swimming Club, took part.
They were able to compete with each other, and with adults as well – with parents encouraged to get involved.
Grant said: “It was a really fun event with an exciting handicap format, which meant some of our youngest swimmers were racing against some of our fastest and could still beat them.
"All ages were invited to enter and nobody was considered too young or too old. In fact, there is a long-standing tradition that some of parents take part.
"They were again encouraged to dig out their swimmers and join the fun."
After the initial draw, all swimmers went into round one where there were 16 heats. Each heat is seeded with the slowest swimmer in lane one, then two, three and four.
The slowest swimmers begin first, before a handicap is applied by a judge with a stopwatch – this resulted in some very exciting racing for all the spectators, swimmers and mixing up of all age-groups.
In the first round, those who were placed first or second go on to the next round of the cup and those placed third or fourth get a second chance in the plate competition.
Thereafter, two get knocked out in each round, both there is a final in both competitions.
Emily Offer, one of Forres Bluefins' Sharks squad swimmers, won the trophy and the overall event.
She said: “It was really fun and interesting to see all the different swimmers race. I'm forward to taking part again next year."
As well as being a fun, family-friendly event, the £5 entry fee, along with the sweepstake, raised vital funds for the club.
Forres Bluefins thanked local businesses Gill and Weller at The Oliver Tree Kitchen, Donald Peace from New Wave Surf School in Lossiemouth, Nome and Brogen at Café Fika, and Elle and Rupert from The Findhorn Watershed Sauna for donating wonderful prizes.
If you have any questions about Forres Bluefins Swimming Club get in touch via clubpresident@forresbluefins.co.uk or clubsec@forresbluefins.co.uk
