Helmut Klein (left) and Jim Wheeler. Image: Contributed

Local swimmers Helmut Klein and Jim Wheeler recently represented the Clarence River Masters Swim Club at two major sporting events. The NSW Short Course State Championships was held at the Australian Institute of Sports at Canberra on October 14-15 with an estimated 180 competitors. Helmut won silver in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m backstroke. This was only a warm up for Helmut’s next event; along with team mate Jim. At the 16th edition of the Australian Masters Games held over various venues in North West Tasmania from October 21-28 our swimmers kicked into gear. Doing the Clarence Valley proud Jim Wheeler won silver in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley. Jim also won bronze in the 50m butterfly. Helmut Klein swept the pool with gold medals in 50m, 100m, 200m breaststroke; silver medals in 100m and 200m backstroke and bronze in 50m backstroke, the mixed medley relay and the mixed freestyle relay. An outstanding effort to say the least! The Australian Masters Games is a biennial sporting event that is regarded as one of the premier and largest participation sporting events on the Australian sporting landscape. Over 6,000 participants competed across over 40 different sports. The swimming was held in Launceston with 165 competitors. The Australian Masters Games provide an occasion to: • make the wider community aware of the benefits of sport; • encourage and engage the Masters sport demographic in ongoing activity that is beneficial to their long term health and wellbeing; • encourage a positive active lifestyle in the community that is balanced with social outcome and opportunities; • reaffirm with all levels of sports administration the importance of mature-aged sports people who are seeking opportunities to participate; and • demonstrate the myriad of attractions of sport: skill, achievement, competition, social interaction, and satisfaction. Games participants make lifelong friends, not only within their own sport and teams, but with participants from all different sports and backgrounds from all corners of Australia and the world. Clarence River Master Swimmers meet at Maclean pool 6-7pm Monday and Wednesday and 7am Saturday or Yamba pool 6-7pm Tuesday and Thursday and 7:30am Saturday. You only need to be over 18 years to be a ‘Master’ commitment is required as the fitness will come as you progress. Gai Pritchett