Over 500 swimmers from 18 countries competed at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre over four gruelling days, with swimmer numbers greatly increased due to global exposure from the recent Commonwealth Games.

Leanne and Grant represented Coffs Harbour Masters Swimming, with Leanne competing in ten individual events in her age group and Grant in nine. Both achieved a best individual result of fifth, for Leanne in the 100m butterfly and for Grant in the 400m backstroke. With two other members of the team, Leanne and Grant were ecstatic to win the bronze in the mixed freestyle relay, in an exciting race that saw the silver medal escape their grasp in the last stroke to the wall, by just 0.9 seconds.

Held every two years, this year was the hardest to date – an extra day was added at the beginning to introduce the 1500m freestyle into the program for the first time ever. Leanne and Grant both completed this challenging swim despite being concerned about the effect it would have on them for the rest of the competition. However all went well, with both setting PBs and Grant placing in the top ten.

Individually, Leanne achieved one top five finish, four top ten finishes, swam 4 PBs and set three Coffs Harbour club records. Grant achieved two top five finishes, six top ten finishes, swam five PBs and set six Coffs Harbour club records.

Leanne and Grant put their results and their ability to back up events four days in a row down to the Masters Swimming Endurance Program the club runs at Coffs Harbour Aquatic Centre at Park Beach on Saturday afternoons from 3pm. The year-long program consists of a series of timed swims from 400m in all strokes and the individual medley, through to as far as you can swim in one hour. It is designed for all levels of swimming, not just competition, and is tailored by each individual to suit themselves. Coaching assistance and pool space provided by Danny Kollen, who owns the pool, has also been invaluable.

Leanne and Grant also train at Nambucca and of course in the Bello pool. They said they would like to train more in Bellingen.

“But the pool closure period and the inability to both heat and cool the water using a solar powered heat pump (such as recently installed at Tea Gardens) forces us to train elsewhere a lot of the time.”

Most people are not aware that anyone from age 18 and above can participate in Masters Swimming and that it caters for swimmers of all abilities and both competitors and non-competitors. The motto sums it up best: “Fun, Fitness, Friendship”. To find out more about the club go to www.coffsmastersswimming.weebly.com