Posted on Monday 8th April, 2024

Noosa’s Sunny Swim Meet

Congratulations to our Noosa Masters for hosting a sunny and fabulous meet on Saturday 6 April 2024 at the Noosa Aquatic Centre. 

Amidst a week of rain and dire meteorological warnings of thunderstorms and huge winds, it was a wonderful reward for our Club’s massive pre-meet efforts, to wake on 6th April 2024 (our 23rd Annual Swim Meet) and find the day sunny with only a few clouds and no wind at all!

Our meet really starts on Friday afternoon with the Erecting of Tents Ceremony – which requires as many hands as possible on deck to put up approximately 20 tents – which provide shade and shelter for our swimmers and for visiting clubs. This year’s turnout for the “ceremony” was as warmly attended and as supportive as past years, with most tents erected within one and a half hours. A great beginning to our meet.

Saturday morning was a beehive of activity, with all volunteers arriving keen, willing and able to finish off the last of the pre meet jobs. On entering the Noosa Aquatic Centre, our raffle table was a fabulous draw card, with the fifteen prizes being abundant, tempting and varied.

Warm up ran smoothly and with the meet officially opened by our charismatic Local State Member, Sandy Bolton, the meet was off and running – or should it be “swimming” – at exactly 10 am.

Heats and events ran smoothly, with only the occasional calls for timekeepers, whilst the lunch break – essential for our officials and volunteers alike – was a welcome pause in the fast-paced programme. Special mention to our catering team who oversaw the presentation and distribution of the fabulous food provided by our members for the officials, timekeepers and volunteers. Great work ladies.

The afternoon events concluded with the 50 free – always a crowd pleaser – before hungry swimmers headed for the hearty and mouthwatering BBQ. The only individual thank you from the swim meet committee goes to a non-member, Carmel Walsh – who, prepped, presented and cooked the BBQ prior to being joined by her husband, Shane and his BBQ team after they completed their swims for the day.  Thank you most sincerely, Carmel, for your massive effort.

It would be terribly remiss not to also make special mention of our three Noosa members, Cristinlee H, Sandra L and Alex B who were all first-time competition swimmers. They all handled their nerves and events like seasoned pros!!! Congratulations ladies and special thanks to our amazing coaches who do such a terrific job preparing our swimmers, not only for our meet but for all their competitive and non- competitive swimming opportunities.

We were delighted that MSQ President, Susanne Milenkevich was able to both swim at our meet and make a friendly and warm-hearted speech as part of the Presentation Programme.  Next on the presentation agenda was the announcement of Record-Breaking Swims achieved at our meet: Two State Records a piece for both Tracy Clarkson (Brisbane Northside Masters) and for Jen Thomasson (Cotton Tree Masters) as well as one record for Matthew Wright from Albany Ck Masters.

These record-breaking announcements were followed closely by the Age Group Awards and of course the hotly contested Small and Large Club’s Aggregate Trophies. The Small Clubs’ Trophy was won by Brisbane Northside Masters and Beerwah Masters was the winner of the Large Club’s Trophy.

With the sun still managing to peak out from behind some impending rain clouds it was great to see all the weary swimmers and volunteers departing our fabulous venue, The Noosa Aquatic Centre just before 3.00 pm, after a very rewarding, sunny and fun filled day.

Meet Results: