In the swim: Geelong Swimming Club state short-course championships competitors, at top, Fraser Mahony, Molly Parkinson, Aaron Ford, Patrick Bartlett and Lance Ahmling and, at bottom, Zachary Hussain, Charlotte Elsworth, Jessica Loftus and Sharni-Lee Dennis.
By John Van Klaveren
TIMING is everything and Geelong Swimming Club looks to have timed its race for more young talent perfectly.
The weather is turning and thoughts of the pool are swimming to the surface as the club announces a new initiative to entice more youngsters into the water.
The club has just completed a successful short-course season at Victorian Age Swimming Championships.
Coach John Beckwith said an outstanding team effort was capped with two country records, 15 club records and several medals.
“Now we’re looking forward to the long course season and our aim is to have as many swimmers as possible qualify for the Victorian Championships,” John explained.
“We also plan to increase on the 13 swimmers we took to the Australian Championships last year.”
John said the club was keen to encourage new and younger swimmers to get into the sport.
“We’re inviting young swimmers to participate in a local swimming carnival especially for them.
“This carnival is for children aged 12 and under and they don’t need to be registered with a swimming club.
“All swimmers will receive a certificate for them to record their race times swum on the day.”
The club, with a history dating back to 1882, hosted Victorian Country Championships in 1994, 2002 and 2011.
With more than 150 registered swimmers, John said the club aimed to field one of the largest swimming teams ever for coming major meets.
Recent successes were testament to the determination and persistence of the strong group of swimmers and coaches, he said.
“The swimmers have been training hard and competing regularly to achieve the goals they set at the start of the season.
“These goals have focused on improving both stroke technique and racing technique at training.”
John said the excellent facilities at Leisurelink and Kardinia pool enabled the club to prepare swimmers effectively for major championships.
The encouragement carnival will be at Geelong College Aquatic centre on October 21, with entries closing on Monday.
A free follow-up come-and-try day will begin 3pm on November 11 at Geelong College.
John said more information and entry forms were available on the club web site, geelongswimmingclub.com.au.
