North Dorset Turbos last Tuesday became one of the first clubs in the county to resume competitive training, with a 90-minute slot under distancing at Riversmeet. (Hurrah!) The club's existing Development and Performance Squads were reconfigured by times into separate groups of 20, to enable separation in the pool using two double-width lanes; it's hoped Pre-Turbos will restart shortly. NDTSC conducted a detailed risk assessment for Covid-19 and will be observing the safety measures already in force at the leisure centre. "To say that our swimmers are really thrilled to be back in the water is probably understating it," said Chair Alex Wynter. NDTSC's former Head Coach, Chris Gassmann, 79, who jointly founded the club in 2003, meanwhile, brought forward his planned retirement slightly to the middle of July, and he stays on as club president; Rich Brocklehurst is Acting Head Coach.

Great swims at the Poole Regional Qualifier Open Meet on 7/8 March, with several Turbos coming within a smidgen of regional CTs, but lots of good PBs and medals, including nine golds, and a truly fabulous team spirit.

Our 16-strong squad put in a superb performance at this year's Dorset County Championships at Littledown. Georgie Horn won silver medals in both her 50m and 100m butterfly while Antonia Bright got bronze and silver in her age group in the same events respectively. Betsy Junor won a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke and a bronze in the 400m freestyle. Almost all swimmers clocked up at least one personal best – for a squad total of 42 – while Josie Hopkins came in top of the table with PBs in all her seven events. Bravo all! Huge congratulations also to Betsy and Freddie George (PBs in all his five events) who were selected to join the 2020 Dorset England Programme.

Mia Merefield became the first Turbos swimmer to take part in the 2019 South West Winter Regional Championships at Millfield on November 2nd and 3rd. She gained a personal best time in the 50m breaststroke and came second in her heat in the 100m event.