Swim club camp a success

It was all smiles for the Warragul Swimming Club as they returned from a nineday Darwin camp full of competition and training last week.

The camp saw the club take a group of 22 state and performance level swimmers for four days of intensive training before competing in the 2022 Country Swimming Championship, a competition open only to to clubs based in rural areas.

With all participants being aged between 13-18 years, the camp also was a great chance to have some fun as well as teach some good habits and independence. Swimmers were able to help plan the camp, including meals, and travel interstate without parents.

A swimming camp was regularly held prior to COVID, and was considered a rite of passage for many of the club members. As such, many swimmers expressed how good it was to be able to get back to doing what they love in a strong environment for them to succeed.

The camp began with training, as well as some chances to see the sights in a new environment, including a visit to the local night market and even an up close and personal encounter with some reptiles. Following that, all attention was turned to the competition.

The club enjoyed some strong results in the pool, with a number of swimmers achieving personal bests and medals, including young swimmer Isabelle Nash even achieving a national qualifying time in the 50m breaststroke.

The full list of medal winners from the championship are as follows:

William Blackwood 3rd 200m breaststroke Mollie Dennis 3rd 100m backstroke

Chloe Joiner 3rd 100m backstroke (also one second off achieving a national qualifying time in 200m backstroke)

Isabelle Nash 3rd 200m breaststroke

Isabelle Nash 2nd 50m breaststroke (achieved a national qualifying time)

Isabelle Nash 3rd 100m breaststroke

Kashya Saunders 3rd 50m backstroke (0.02 seconds off achieving a national qualifying time)

Sam Wells 2nd 50m freestyle

Sam Wells 1st 50m butterfly

Sam Wells 2nd 50m breaststroke

Sam Wells 3rd 200m individual medley

Sam Wells 3rd 100m breaststroke

The Warragul Swimming Club camp participants. Back: Hugh McKinley, coach Andrew Marks, Mollie Dennis, Kashya Saunders, Isabel Oswald, Sam Wells, Charlotte Redenbach, William Blackwood, Aiden Pendlebury, Kane Reynolds, head coach Paul Myers Centre: coach Monique Zurrer, Ashleigh Cunico, Marigold Hay, Sienna Wood, Tillie Buhagiar, Alexandra Nicholson, Chloe Joiner, Amelia Millis, coach April Inglese Front: Emma Pankhurst, Stephanie Moreland, Lily DiGrandi, Makaylen Di Sisto, Sophie Millis, Isabelle Nash

Sophie Millis (centre left) and Emma Pankhurst (centre right) help with time keeping during the Warragul Swimming Club’s training.

Isobel Nash stands proudly after finishing second in her 50m breaststroke event. She achieved a national qualifying time with her swim.

Sam Wells on the podium after finishing second in the individual medley. Sam achieved a podium finish in five separate events.

Molly Dennis finished third in her 100m backstroke event.

Kashya Saunders and Chloe Joiner share a hug outside the pool.