
Cannons at the Whitsundays Swimmer Carnival. Photos supplied: Raylene Rusmussen
Contributed with thanks by Raylene Rusmussen.
Cannonvale Cannons swimmers had a busy week in the pool, tackling longer distances at Wednesday’s club night before 46 members competed at Saturday’s Whitsunday Swimming Club Carnival.
Distance Club Night gave swimmers a chance to test their endurance in the 1500m, 800m and 400m freestyle, along with the 400m individual medley. Coaches Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson were impressed with their efforts, particularly those taking on the longer events.
Jax Clayworth, Roxy Groom, Celeste Orenshaw, Andie Reynolds and Liam Filewood produced strong swims in the 1500m freestyle. Eloise Chegwidden, Zane Clayworth, Harris Delac and Zavier Woolston also recorded strong times over 800m.
The evening included recognition of swimmers’ progress, with Tora Delac receiving a club record certificate for her 200m backstroke.

Upgrade certificates were awarded to Mason Plested, Alfie Konopka, Summer Papa and Dusty Papa, recognising their continued development.
Chocolate Awards for personal bests went to Mason Plested, Eloise Chegwidden, Eric Mulliss and Cooper Konopka, while Maeve Dichiera received the Coaches’ Award for her 200m backstroke.
Attention then turned to Saturday’s carnival, where the Cannons recorded race wins, top placings and personal bests across the team.
Maggie Jeffries, Joey Jeffries, Summer Papa and Jake Temple performed well at their first district carnival, joining their clubmates for a day of racing.
Lily Woolston, Indigo Harland, Isla Johnston, Alfie Konopka, Dusty Papa, Toby Papa, Finn Temple and Zara Temple achieved personal bests in every event they entered.
Tyler Bennett, Harry Chegwidden, Tora Delac, Miller Eaves, Cooper Konopka and Lily Woolston won all their races, adding to the club’s results.
Hamilton Anflous, Mackenzie Bennett, Jax Clayworth, Harris Delac, Charlie Doherty, Roxy Groom, Eloise Chegwidden, Ruby Harland, Wilson Hounsell, Joshua Ketchup, Lucas Korosec, Celeste Orenshaw, Andie Reynolds and Zavier Woolston recorded strong times and top placings in all their races.

Maeve Dichiera, Evie Doherty, Blaire Harland, Koa Harland, Olive Hounsell, Sunday Hounsell, Airlie Mladenovski, Eric Mulliss, Leo Mulliss, Stella Mulliss, Miranda Palmero, Levi Smith, Faithlyn Trotter, Lennox Wild and Zane Clayworth also performed well against tough competition, with most recording personal bests.
Their results rounded out a week that gave swimmers opportunities to tackle demanding distances, improve their times and put their training into practice against other clubs.
The Cannons thanked the parents and volunteers who helped officiate and manage the team at Saturday’s carnival. Their assistance helped keep the day running and supported the 46 swimmers as they moved between events throughout the carnival.