Salt Ayre to host inaugural Bay Fusion Gala

Salt Ayre will play host to the first ever Bay Fusion swimming gala this weekend.

Sunday’s event consists of a series of races between boys and girls of age group categories ranging from 9 to 16.

The gala, which starts from 8am, has been organised by Lancaster City Swimming Club and Carnforth Otters Swimming Club, and will involve 50m and 100m races in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly stroke, with an additional 200m race for the freestyle.

Tom Findlay, from Salt Ayre, said: “It’s not the first time we’ve worked with the clubs who are organising the gala. We see the members of those clubs every evening and sometimes in the morning, so we know them quite well.

“We’re expecting over 200 competitors on Sunday. The event will start at 8am for warmups for the first group for an hour, then competitive three-hour sessions. After that, a second group of individuals are going to warm up between 1.15pm and 2.15pm, then compete in three-hour sessions from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. There will be PAs and announcements telling people who has won races and there will be prizes given out on podiums.”

Four other swimming clubs have been invited to send members to play on Sunday: Garstang Gators, Clitheroe Dolphins, Barrow and Kendal.

The top three of every race will be given medals, with ribbons handed out to those who finish from fourth to sixth, as well as music played around the pool on the day.

The inaugural Level 3 Bay Fusion Gala starts at 8am on Sunday October 2 at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre. Spectators can watch one of the two sessions for £5, or both sessions for £8.