Cormorants Swimming Club History 1968 ~ The Present

The Cormorants Swimming Club had their beginnings at St Columb Major as a mere additional attraction for the local Carnival week.

1968 - The Carnival Committee at St Columb sought to introduce some water sports into carnival week and to use the pool which had just been built at Trewan Hall. One swimmer among their members was John Dawes and it was a result of his interest and efforts that the club came into being. In that same year the club was formed. Mr J Teagle became the first President with Dr D Harvey as Chairman, Mr J Dawes as Secretary, Mr WG Colliver as Treasurer and Mr K Foulsham as Coach. None of this would have happened however, had it not been for the support and encouragement of Mr Dennis Hill, (who in 1975 was the President) and Mrs Phyllis Hill, in allowing Trewan Hall to become the base for the clubs activities. Interest spread rapidly and the demand for all the year round swimming resulted in the club becoming semi-nomadic, forever seeking somewhere to "do its thing". They moved from Trewan Hall to the Apollo at Perranporth (now Perransands), the Bay Hotel pool at Newquay, Bodmin Pool and the [then] new pool at Polkyth St Austell - all were used in turn with the main base at Trewan Hall.

1972 - Almost in defiance of the difficulties which presented themselves by the absence of a permanent home, the club rapidly made its mark on the competitive side of swimming expertly coached by Tony and Wendy Prail. In 1972 and 1973 the club won the Centenary Trophy awarded on the basis of the number of points gained in the competition in relation to the number of members in the club. Also in 1973, the club won the Collins Trophy for the first time as winners of the County Inter Club Competition.

1975 - The opening of the Newquay Sports Centre in 1972 brought the club its first feeling of stability. While the sport itself could not practise there, it could get its feet on the ground for social and business purposes. In 1975 the Newquay pool was opened and a permanent home for training and recreation separated only by a little way from the club's administrative home at the Sports Centre. Within the next year the club found itself with 200 members at all levels of swimming and a long waiting list for membership. Also in 1975 the Cormorants became the County Champions. Apart from competitive swimming the club's activities now included basic stroke work for all stages, R.I.S.S. Awards, ASA Personal Survival Awards, STA Distance Awards, Synchronised Swimming, ASS/ESSA Speed swimming Awards and Water Polo on the way. The club also had a healthy close liaison with the local schools, the school pools provided equal facilities for at least 2/3 months a year, some school staff being involved within the club. The training was now under the guidance of Mrs Barbara Bud who is a fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers, also an ASA tutor and an STA lecturer. The clubs administration team and practical workers included Mr Hill, President, Mr Bruce Connock, (who did so much to bring the Sports Centre into being) Chairman, Mrs M Penaluna Secretary and Mr B Skeet Treasurer. Concentrating on practical swimming and life saving were chairman of teachers Mrs Budd and Chief Coach Mr John Mottart, the club Captain being Miss K Roberts. With regular use of Newquay Pool, the club found 100% improvement in the progress of its members, who also benefited from visiting swimmers during the summer months and when people on holiday are invited to train with them. In the Summer time, swimmers from at least two dozen clubs have used the Cormorants facilities.

1985 - Meanwhile ten years later in 1985, the club continued to teach swimming in all its aspects for ages 6 years and upwards on three evenings a week at Newquay pool. Land training was given for senior swimmers taking place in the gym at Newquay Tretherras School, one evening per week during the winter.Competition swimmers competed favourably within the county at Age groups and County Championships, also at Western County level and nationally. Many friendly galas also took place within the county. The Synchronised swimming section thrived at County and Western level, also giving local demonstrations throughout each summer.

The Present - We now have a full time coach, while the other instructors, officials, judges and administrators give their time and expert knowledge free of charge. The club trains up to 6 times a week and has swimmers competing at every level. There is also a waterpolo team training once a week and competing in local competitions. The chairman is Ron Fullwood, and the club secretary/treasurer Chris Jepson, The club is still entirely self supporting from members annual subscriptions and tuition fees, and also our own fund raising efforts within the club. Funds have to cover the pool hire, which is the main outgoing, cost of all equipment used, transport to competitions and galas and administration costs. The ultimate aim of the club is to promote swimming in all its aspects and to achieve as high a standard as is possible for each member in their chosen discipline.