Pre-swim:
Each year, just before Christmas, the Swaziland National Swimming Assoc holds its annual "Christmas Package Gala". It is a serious meet, but to get into the Christmas spirit, the gala ref and the strokes & turns judges get haloes to wear, the starter a Father Christmas hat, and the timekeepers all wear green, red and gold. Each swimmer taking part is awarded a "package" of a wrapped large bar of chocolate.
Our 2005 entry fees are being donated to the world swim for malaria. Malaria is a big problem in this part of the world, but thanks to initiatives like this, we here can see improved control of mosquitoes beginning to help the situation. Thanks, swimmers of the world, we are happy to be part of this!