THE calendar year 2016 was a good year for the Dorado Speed Swim Club. At the beginning of the year, there was a series of monthly educational sessions, held on Saturday mornings at the National Aquatic Centre.
On the first Saturday of September through November, the Club held mini meets. The focus of those meets was to introduce our senior learn-to-swim group to competition and give senior swimmers some much-needed meet practice. Each meet targeted different events.
Elections were held on May 14 to name a new Executive Committee for 2 years. The Constitution review concluded on June 21.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
Dorado swimmers have, as always, made us proud, throughout the year. Hannibal Gaskin was the first Guyanese to receive a FINA Olympic preparation scholarship – seven months of training, at the Spire Institute, Ohio in USA.
In August, he became the fourth Guyanese (3rd Dorado swimmer) to participate in the Olympic Games; following in the footsteps of Niall Roberts (Beijing 2008; London 2012) and Britany van Lange (London 2012). Hannibal swam the 100m Butterfly, setting a new Personal Best and National Record with a time of 58.57.

In September, Soroya Simmons, Daniel Scott and Alex Winter braved the waters of Maracas Bay (Trinidad), participating in the Maracas Bay Open Water Classic. It was Soroya’s second year at the event, but her first time swimming the 5k event.
She placed 4th in the female category in a time of 1:22.01. Daniel and Alex were new-comers to the event and swam 2,650m. Daniel finished 9th (38.29) and Alex finished 18th (41.45)

LOCAL COMPETITIONS
Olympic Day Triathlon (July 2) – Alex Winter attempted his first triathlon and won! Sawaki River Swim (September 11) – Daniel Scott, Soroya Simmons and Alex Winter placed 1st to 3rd respectively.

PLANS FOR 2017
“In 2017 we plan to maintain our position as the best swim club in Guyana. We will continue the monthly mini-meets and/or educational programmes; continue to support our technical staff to increase their knowledge; continue to support our senior swimmers when they participate in international competitions.
“We will look for more effective and efficient fund-raising efforts. We look forward to the support of all of our members,” stated the release.