A WEST FIFE swimming club have made a splash by hosting their first competitive event since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club (DASC), who train at Carnegie and Cowdenbeath leisure centres, brought together more than 260 swimmers for its junior sprints gala at the beginning of May.

The event, held at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes, was the first time they had put on such a competition since the country entered its first lockdown more than two years ago.

Open to competitors aged between eight and 11, the meet attracted more than 18 visiting clubs from across the Kingdom, including Carnegie Swimming Club and InCAS, and others from further afield, including Heart of Midlothian, Falkirk, West Dunbartonshire, Hawick and Teviotdale, East Kilbride and Dundee.

For many, it was their first competitive gala and, although there were a few first-time nerves, those disappeared quickly as they enjoyed competing in disciplines such as butterfly, backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke.

There was a large number of new personal bests set throughout and, in addition to medals being distributed to those placing first, second and third, flashes were awarded to the swimmers finishing between fourth and sixth, while there was top boy and top girl accolades for the eight-, nine-, 10- and 11-year-old age groups, as well as an overall top club award.

Several swimmers from West Fife clubs reached the podium, including DASC's Hali Farah, who placed third in the girls' 10 years 50 metres freestyle.

Others included Fearne O'Brien (Carnegie), who was first in the girls' nine years 100 metres individual medley and 25m butterfly, and second in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle; Skye Lambie (InCAS), who was first in the girls' eight years 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle, and second in the 25m butterfly; Isla Moffat (InCAS), who was third in the girls' nine years 100m individual medley, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle; Luke Kemp (InCAS), who was third in the boys' nine years 100m individual medley and 50m freestyle; and Matthew Elliott (Carnegie), who was second in the boys' eight years 50m freestyle, and third in the 50m backstroke.

Further placings saw Brodie Hay (InCAS) finish second in the boys' 10 years 100m individual medley and 50m freestyle, and third in the 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke; Oliver Fraser (Carnegie), who was second in the boys' 10 years 50m butterfly, and third in the 50m freestyle; Harvey Whytock (InCAS), who was third in the boys' 11 years 100m individual medley and 50m butterfly; Stella Pemberton (Carnegie), who was second in the girls' eight years 50m backstroke; Innes Pemberton (Carnegie), who was third in the boys' nine years 50m backstroke; Ava Swarbrick (Carnegie), who placed third in the girls' eight years 50m breaststroke; and Sophie Taylor (InCAS), who was third in the girls' nine years 25m butterfly.

The Incas 'A' quartet of Sophie Collins, Erin Baker, Harvey Whytock and Brodie Hay also finished third in the mixed 10-11 years 200m freestyle relay.

The club, which offered its thanks to the volunteers and officials who ensured the gala was a success, aims to keep swimming affordable, and welcomes anyone who wishes to swim for fun or competitively from the age of five up to master swimmers.

For more information, see www.dasc-swim.co.uk or email contact@dasc-swim.co.uk