CHRIS Beal has retired from the Tornadoes of South Dorset Swimming Club after a decorated 15 years of service to the club.

Beal will be replaced by Ian Hooper, who will lead the team in the 2019/2020 season.

Beal first joined the club in 2004 when his daughter Rebecca became a swimmer at the club.

In 2004, obtained his first qualification as a poolside helper, which was the start, to his 15 years’ service to the club.

In 2005, with others, he commenced his ASA Level One teachers certificate with head coach Phil Daniels, which was completed in March 2006.

This led to Beal teaching with the Tornadoes of South Dorset (TTSD) on Saturday mornings for six years.

In March 2009 he completed his ASA level Two Teachers certificate, which was then followed quickly by his Level One Coaching certificate a month later and then his Level Two Coaching certificate a year later.

In 2010, he was nominated for the Dorset ASA Award for Volunteer Contribution at club level.

Rebecca had now progressed through the squads to the national squad, where Chris initially became one of the invaluable lane coaches passing his knowledge onto the swimmers. TTSD has had some highly ranked, county, regional and national swimmers, latterly Jay Lelliott, who achieved their success, due in no small way to Chris’s contribution.

There was uncertainty at the club on a number of occasions through the years with changes of Head Coach but TTSD success through these troubled times was maintained through the efforts of the remaining coaches, including of course Chris.

In September 2012, when the club found itself without a head coach, Beal volunteered to take the role of ‘lead’ coach.

This was to be on a temporary basis whilst the club found a new head coach.

In 2014 he became Dorset ASA President. Seven years after he became ‘temporary’ lead coach and Beal has finally decided to hang up his stop watches.

Over the past seven years, Chris has dedicated himself to TTSD, at no small cost to his family.

Beal has attended all the open, county, regional and national meets across the country, even with a lone swimmer, giving them the same support and encouragement has given all the swimmers.

A spokesman said: “Chris will be greatly missed by the club, but we should celebrate the enormous contribution he has made over many years and wish him all the best in his retirement.”