Horwich Leisure Centre Swimming Club celebrated their successes of last year in style by arranging a visit to the National Whitewater Centre at Bala in North Wales for a day of white water rafting.
Divided into five inflatable 14 foot rafts, 35 swimmers ranging in age from 12 to 23years old, kitted out in wet suits and safety helmets but armed only with paddles, tackled rapids with names such as 'the Graveyard' and 'Ski Slope' during several exciting runs down the fast flowing river.
The Centre at Bala is recognised as the best whitewater site in the country.
Parents watching from the river bank noticed an unusual reluctance among the rafters to try swimming in the extremely cold water but there were several unplanned solo attempts down the rapids as crew members parted company with their rafts.
"We have a great group of older swimmers at Horwich, who give tremendous support to the Club and we wanted to give them a day to remember," said Paul Hildyard, Horwich Club Chairman. "We are already planning other events for our younger members," he promised.
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