Swim-a-long-a-Santa Meet

The first ever Dartes Christmas meet turned into something of a balloon fest at Beverley. Here are a few photos to remind you of the day. Do any of you have photos from this meet? Send them to the webmaster for inclusion, especially if they contain a certain person dressed as a turkey.

It's action stations on the Awards desk as Chairman Chris writes the Speeding Tickets, Coach Wallace presents them, and Amanda keeps an eye on the ever popular medals -- err mugs.   In the background Santa keeps hold of his balloons while desperately resisting the urge to start dancing!
Caught in the Act Stop pressing Santa's buttons Andrew!   Fortunately, on a photograph, we can't bring you the full experience of the amazingly funky, dancing Santa. To make up for you not seeing Santa's swinging hips, we give you Senior Troff's chocolate munching act instead.   It's almost certain that the only thing keeping Andrew on his feet by the end of this fun-filled day was the helium balloon trying to pull him skywards.   It's official, helium balloons work better than coffee!
Stay awake Coach!   Never let it be said that Coach Wallace doesn't enjoy early mornings. However, after a week of running 5am training sessions, Sunday at Beverley might have been one day too far for our Head Coach.   Not to worry, another balloon hat is keeping his head off the table as he presents speeding tickets.
No Contest   The challengers came thick and fast. Surely Jamie Clark (Arm) would not be beaten with 7 balloons! Certainly not by Alex Cook (SAS) who could only manage a measly 4 (and the hat wasn't even hers)!   Keep trying guys, someone will beat Jamie eventually.
Even The Hat Beat Alex!   Seriously Alex, you must do better! The hats were so unimpressed by your best effort of 4 balloons that they put forward a challenger of their own.   Guess what? Felix the Flying Santa Hat beat you with a total of 6!
Back to the Swim Meet   Hidden away behind all the balloons it was easy to forget there was a swim meet taking place through those windows.   Normality quickly resumed when Kim & Kel Smith (Arm) popped over for their speeding tickets.   Good swimming girls!
Let's hear it for ...   Lunch time entertainment was provided by the very popular MC Max and DJ Troff, more commonly known as: Max Litchfield (Spa) and Elliot Trofimowicz (Spa).   And of course, who will ever forget Uncle Jim overseeing proceedings.
How many animals did you spot?   Not content with a hip swinging Santa, a talking turkey (who carefully avoided the camera), and guest DJs, we decided to dress Heidi Smith (Ros) as a reindeer too.   Although anyone who thinks she looked like a reindeer has clearly never met Rudolph!
Getting out of Hand!   Some people take things too far don't they? Here at Dartes we like to be original. We don't have "Guess how many sweets in the jar" competitions. Instead, our Competition Secretary introduced everyone to the "Guess how many balloons are attached to my Santa hat" competition.   Answers on a postcard attached to a balloon please.   In the background Jamie looks on distraught. He thought 7 would win him the Balloon Wizard title. Alas, he hadn't reckoned on super-competitive Pete.   Bah humbug indeed!