As Cyclone Alfred threatened in early March, the Noosa Masters annual swim meet was postponed. Three weeks later, as unprecedented floods covered outback Queensland, the postponed meet turned out to be a wind-blown and rain-swept event.
Undaunted, swimmers from 26 clubs lined up for an 18-event competition. On the day, their ranks were thinned by many last-minute withdrawals by swimmers from far afield, anxious that rising rivers might prevent their return journey. Still, competitors arrived from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Miami. They were complemented by entrants from numerous clubs based in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast.
Conditions were challenging. Driving rain swept across the pool lanes and swimmers pushed against gusty headwinds. Around the pool deck – despite sheltering marquees – the rain often prevailed. Timekeepers were dampened and recording sheets sodden.
But Masters swimmers, officials and volunteers are resilient. Racing proceeded in the traditional Masters style of serious but good-natured enthusiasm. The unruly weather meant that record times were out of reach. But there were some nail-biting finishes and some impressive times, across a field of swimmers ranging in age from 21 to 84.
There was a welcome change in the weather just as the premier event – 100 metres freestyle – was about to start. The blue skies then persisted through the ensuing barbecue and awards ceremony. While Noosa Masters predictably amassed the highest points totals, the two trophies awarded for highest average points scores went to two relatively new clubs. The small clubs’ trophy went to Buderim-based Flinders Phoenix club, while Burpengary-based Belgravia won in the large-club category.
There were two important but contrasting speeches at the presentation ceremony. First, Masters Swimming Queensland president Susanne Milenkevich presented Noosa Masters with the state Endurance 1000 competition trophy for 2024. Then – on a note both sad and celebratory – Gay Bradley, the President of Cotton Tree Masters, shared her club’s memories of their remarkable, gentle and humorous member China Johnson, who’d died recently. China, a multiple national record holder, was a gold medallist at last November’s Pan Pacific Masters championships, aged 96. An inspiration!
