The 13th Anniversary State of Origin Swimming Carnival held at the Yamba Pool over the weekend attracted 93 competitive swimmers of all ages. Swim Clubs came from three states, NSW, Vic and QLD with members hailing from Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast, Port Macquarie, Newcastle,
Cessnock, Maitland, Manly, Warringah, Sutherland, Ryde, and others.
Organisers watched the weather forecasts with baited breath, Saturday was near perfect but Sunday’s events were marred by light showers.
Swimmers were not deterred, they get wet anyway.
They came with big smiles prepared for fun and fierce competition. “It’s always a great Carnival here mate and it wouldn’t be a Yamba Carnival if we didn’t get a bit of rain. Weather doesn’t worry us” said John Smith from Cessnock.
The competition was run under the strict rules of Masters Swimming NSW which requires certified officials. We are most grateful to those officials who travelled to Yamba in order for us to hold our event.
One of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the State of Origin relay. Teams are selected by the record keepers from swimmers 50m freestyle times. These teams are announced on Sunday morning prior to the event with two teams of 8. The times were worked out with a 16
second handicap to NSW. This made the race extremely close!
State of Origin maroon and blue banners and flags flew, with loud encouragement from the side line.
“You can hear the cheering all over town” said a local resident.
The atmosphere was electric, clearly a crowd favourite.
“There’s nothing like competition to make you swim faster. No matter how slack you are at training, when you get on a block the adrenaline starts pumping and you usually do better than what you thought” said Robyn Wattus, CRMS Coach.
Club President Jane Lawrence was pleased that “lots of our Club members have swum times less than they nominated. There’s nothing like competition.”
Jane Noakes, President of NSW Masters Swimming said “as usually it was lovely, friendly and very well organised. I love this Carnival”.
Some of the times recorded in the 50 metre swim event: Darren Gosney (Sunshine Coast Masters) 50-55 age group, swam 50m in 30.03 sec; Graham Hill (Seaside Pirates) 45-50 age group, 28.2sec; Georgina Hamer, 40-45 age group (Seaside Pirates) 32.28 sec; Karen Urquhart, 60-65 age group, 45.59 sec
A huge thank you to our sponsors, Westlawn, AB Accounting, The Northern Network, Aston Motel, Botero, Kitchen to Table, Anderson Serjeant Accounting and Richard Frost and Yalumba Wines, Adrenaline Sports, Grafton Men’s Shed, Yamba Bowling Club and Yamba Surf Club.
A huge thank you to Richard Beresford from the Yamba Community Heated Pool.
The weekend was capped off with a Presentation Dinner held at the Yamba Bowling Club where the friendship, fun and festivities continued.
Thank you to everyone involved in another safe and successful Carnival.
The season resumes again late August anyone interested in Masters Swimming contact President Jane Lawrence, 0419 460 282.
Gai Pritchett Sports
Swim carnival attracts competitors from far and wide
The 13th Anniversary State of Origin Swimming Carnival held at the Yamba Pool over the weekend attracted 93 competitive swimmers of all ages. Swim Clubs came from three states, NSW, Vic and QLD with members hailing from Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast, Port Macquarie, Newcastle,
Cessnock, Maitland, Manly, Warringah, Sutherland, Ryde, and others.
Organisers watched the weather forecasts with baited breath, Saturday was near perfect but Sunday’s events were marred by light showers.
Swimmers were not deterred, they get wet anyway.
They came with big smiles prepared for fun and fierce competition. “It’s always a great Carnival here mate and it wouldn’t be a Yamba Carnival if we didn’t get a bit of rain. Weather doesn’t worry us” said John Smith from Cessnock.
The competition was run under the strict rules of Masters Swimming NSW which requires certified officials. We are most grateful to those officials who travelled to Yamba in order for us to hold our event.
One of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the State of Origin relay. Teams are selected by the record keepers from swimmers 50m freestyle times. These teams are announced on Sunday morning prior to the event with two teams of 8. The times were worked out with a 16
second handicap to NSW. This made the race extremely close!
State of Origin maroon and blue banners and flags flew, with loud encouragement from the side line.
“You can hear the cheering all over town” said a local resident.
The atmosphere was electric, clearly a crowd favourite.
“There’s nothing like competition to make you swim faster. No matter how slack you are at training, when you get on a block the adrenaline starts pumping and you usually do better than what you thought” said Robyn Wattus, CRMS Coach.
Club President Jane Lawrence was pleased that “lots of our Club members have swum times less than they nominated. There’s nothing like competition.”
Jane Noakes, President of NSW Masters Swimming said “as usually it was lovely, friendly and very well organised. I love this Carnival”.
Some of the times recorded in the 50 metre swim event: Darren Gosney (Sunshine Coast Masters) 50-55 age group, swam 50m in 30.03 sec; Graham Hill (Seaside Pirates) 45-50 age group, 28.2sec; Georgina Hamer, 40-45 age group (Seaside Pirates) 32.28 sec; Karen Urquhart, 60-65 age group, 45.59 sec
A huge thank you to our sponsors, Westlawn, AB Accounting, The Northern Network, Aston Motel, Botero, Kitchen to Table, Anderson Serjeant Accounting and Richard Frost and Yalumba Wines, Adrenaline Sports, Grafton Men’s Shed, Yamba Bowling Club and Yamba Surf Club.
A huge thank you to Richard Beresford from the Yamba Community Heated Pool.
The weekend was capped off with a Presentation Dinner held at the Yamba Bowling Club where the friendship, fun and festivities continued.
Thank you to everyone involved in another safe and successful Carnival.
The season resumes again late August anyone interested in Masters Swimming contact President Jane Lawrence, 0419 460 282.
Gai Pritchett