By Tania Phillips
Warwick Swim club is about to hit the water again for another season with a Come and Try evening on Friday, 4 October at WIRAC.
Club secretary Belinda Benz said new members were welcomed to come along and find out for themselves what swimming club is all about.
She said there was no pressure for the new members to sign up with the Come and Try night, just about seeing if they liked being a part of the club.
“We start this Friday, 5pm at WIRAC, this Friday is a come and try and also next Friday is also a “come and try” night,” Benz said.
“Anyone can come along, all they have to pay is the WIRAC entry fee and they get to join in on our night and see what it’s all about. They can participate if they want, or they can watch – whatever they’re comfortable doing with the kids.
“We start at 5pm and it goes to approximately seven-ish. We except kids from five up – as long as they are confident in the big pool. That’s really the biggest thing. We can obviously explain that if they inquire.”
So for the uninitiated what does Swim Club do?
“We do Friday night race nights,” she said.
“They consist of half- half length, which consist of 25 metre events or 50 metre events as well as 100 metre events. It’s focussed on fun and friendship, on getting involved, having a go in the water. Racing against yourself, not necessarily other people in the pool. It’s more about improving your own swimming, it gives you the option if you wish, you can go on go to carnivals and events. You can’t do that if you aren’t in a club”
The Warwick Swim Club won’t be having their own carnival this year – usually the first event on the representative calendar. Benz said the event is usually held on a Sunday but they had been allotted a Saturday which caused problems with trying to hire a pool.
“Unfortunately, we are not, which is a bummer but never mind,” she said.
“It is out of our control, we can’t do anything about it this year but we hope to do it again next year.”
She said it was a lot of fun for the kids.
“Come along and try, there is no pressure, they can have a go, see if they like it,” Benz explained.
“There is no obligation.”
There are currently 40-50 members but it traditionally does increase this week with “most people leaving it to the week before to renew their membership”