From 9am, Echuca Swimming Club is hosting its annual long course meet — and entry is free to witness some of the best in the region compete.
It’s also the only opportunity you’ll have to see a swimming event of such scale in town, with the club expecting around 100 competitors.
The exact number will be known when entries close on Monday, October 12.
Given the event’s scale, Rich River Golf Club is supporting the swim club with a grant to cover costs.
Hospitality is being provided to a huge influx of competitors from across other northern Victorian clubs.
Which makes sense, considering this event is one of the first in the region’s long course season — long course meaning laps are twice the length of short course meets.
Many swimmers also dive at the opportunity to use the event to set new personal best times.
If they make a big enough splash, the results can be used as qualifying times for higher-level state and national competitions.
And among the competition at this meet will be more than 15 locals.
It’s pretty obvious why this one is particularly important to them.
“Like any sport, it’s wonderful for them to have a home ground advantage, especially for the kids trying out swimming competitively for the first time,” Echuca Swimming Club president Jane Palmer said.
“Them having friends and family come along and support is really special and does tend to push them a little bit harder, further and faster.”
Though the focus is on the competitive swimmers right now, the club has plenty of members simply training to improve, stay fit, or for injury recovery.
If you’re interested in swimming for those reasons, the Aquatic Centre is open four nights a week, from Monday to Thursday.
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