QANTAS Big Splash … registrations and event dates extended!

The Qantas Big Splash is a national fundraising swim-a-thon and can be held by clubs anywhere between 20 & 28 November 2004. The event is being held in conjunction with Royal Life Saving Society Australia and supported by Swimming Australia. By taking part in the Qantas Big Splash swimming clubs can raise funds to help with purchasing new equipment, sending teams to competitions or some clubs may decide to donate the funds raised to other locals in need, such as hospitals or charities.

Prizes include trips for two to Sea World on the Gold Coast for the Under 16’s, Sony Playstation2 ‘s for the Over 16’s and for the Highest Fundraising Club – the Qantas Big Splash Community winner – a swim clinic and BBQ with a star from Swimming Australia. Big Splash is part of Sharing the Spirit, a Qantas initiative designed to help Australians connect with their heroes, their dreams and their families. Registering is easy but must be done by Friday 12 November 2004. For more information contact your state swimming association or club secretary for event and registration details, or call the Qantas Big Splash Hotline on 02 9552 3319.

SWIM STARS MAKE A COUNTRY SPLASH

They certainly breed them tough in the bush but three Olympic champions gave them a run for their money during the recent “Uncle Tobys Make A Splash Country Tour” in Coffs Harbour.

With the onset of the storms that blacked out the entire city and had surrounding town Bellingen isolated by a swollen river, Alice Mills, Leisel Jones and Travis Nederpelt ventured down to the Coffs Harbour Olympic Pool for a 5.30am training session in driving rain.

They were met by a 30-strong group of swimmers already in the cold waters, chilled by two days of cloud that knocked out the “solar heating system.”

So in they jumped and completed the session with the wide-eyed youngsters in the next lane.

Rain also met the Uncle Tobys Tour in Kempsey when the local swimming club hosted a BBQ dinner. But to the surprise of Mills and Nederpelt it was discovered that some young swimmers had braved rain and dangerous conditions on the highway to make the 90-minute round trip from Port Macquarie to get up close and personal with their heroes.

A stop off for a coffee break in Kew, a small town between Newcastle and Kempsey, also saw 25 locals flock to the learn-to-swim centre when word filtered that the swimmers would be in town for a few minutes.

Incidentally, Kew has a Learn-To-Swim centre that caters for more than 250 children, proof that swimming is well and truly alive in the bush.

Earlier in the tour, some young kids from Newcastle Grammar School gave Grant Hackett, Mills and Nederpelt some stick as they raced up and down the lanes of the Arnold Swim Centre at the Junction Pool.

SILLY SEASON ON THE POOL DECK

There is movement at the station!

Several members of the Olympic Swim Team have made some moves around the country as life goes on following the success of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and with the lanterns of Beijing about to be lit.

Craig Stevens has left the AIS after a successful stint to rejoin the SLC Aquadot Club with Ian Thorpe under the coaching of Tracey Menzies while 2000 Olympic silver medallist Kirsten Thomson is also back at Sutherland with Menzies.

Justin Norris and wife Brooke have moved back to Newcastle with the impending birth of their first child and have settled in well into the Steel City. “Norrie” will be training under Eric Arnold where it all began at the Hunter Swimming Club.

Michelle Engelsman has moved south to train with Ian Pope while Jim Piper is spending three months in Perth and Antony Matkovic is also heading home to the west after a stint at the AIS.

TODDY SWAPS GOLD MEDALS FOR GOLD BANDS

Congratulations to Toddy Pearson following his recent marriage to girlfriend of eight years Alisa Rowles.

Toddy certainly made his bride wait but now that he has hung up the Speedos the happy couple are ready to move onto the next stage of their lives.

Ready to party with the new bride and groom were fellow Telstra Dolphins team members Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett, Michael Klim, Craig Stevens, Adam Pine (who was also a groomsman), Geoff Huegill and others.

All at swimming wish Mr and Mrs Pearson a very happy future in the golden west.

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