On the last weekend of the term two school holidays, the Mandurah Swimming Club held its annual Short Course Swimming Carnival.

Despite the 'only 200' competitors, the quality of competition was of a high calibre, ensuring 'hot times' for both young and old.
Nine different swimmers broke an amazing total of 14 course records over the two days of competition.

These record breakers were:
Ross Briggs (11yrs) of Aqua Attack with 4, Brooke Wilson (11yrs) from Rockingham 3, Peter D'Agostino (12yrs) also from Aqua Attack 2, Jemma Hawkins (11yrs) 1, Rebecca Blevins (13yrs) from Arena 1, Georgi Powers (13yrs) 1, Kirstie Briggs (13yrs) 1, Merindah Dingjan (14yrs) 1 and last but certainly not least the two sensational records of international swimmer Steve Neuwert (20yrs) from the newly formed sprint club Western Sprint.
Steve signalled his intentions by winning the men's open 100 metres freestyle in a record breaking 51.87 seconds in the morning. He then went on to record the fastest swim ever in this pool (and possibly any other WA short course pool outside of Perth) in the 50 freestyle by powering up and back in a mere 23.49 seconds - a sight to behold for many of the spectators.

The Mandurah Swimming Club proved it will remain a top 10 swimming club of WA.
The amount of competitors it fielded in many events was high, but more significantly the multiple recorded personal best times of many swimmers in a large number of events.

The most notable of these 'fast fish' with seriously quick times include:
Hayley Hoogen-Esch, Jemma Hawkins, Ethan Williams, Kate Chaisty, Chelsea Sanders, Harriet Park, Joshua Henshaw, Lyle Campbell and Merindah Dingjan who incidentally became only the second non-metropolitan WA female swimmer ever to break the minute for the 100 metres freestyle.

Special mention also goes to:
Peter D'Agostino and Sophie Frichot, who performed consistently over the weekend earning respectively the title of male and female swimmer of the meet.
Aqua Attack fielded many swimmers, including coach Richard - another sight to behold and definitely looking better in the water than on the starting blocks! Thanks to Richard (and his protégés), Aqua Attack earned most points in the relays.

The Mandurah Swimming Club will host another carnival later in the year for only junior swimmers (12 years and under - see almanac). This is a fun and relaxed one-day competition meet, particularly suited for beginning swimmers who are interested in competitive swimming and have not been exposed to high level of competition.