Cairns once again proved itself an ideal host city for the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, held from May 29 to June 1, with over 220 swimmers taking part in three days of competitive pool events at the Tobruk Memorial Pool, followed by an open water swim at Lake Barrine.
This year’s swimming program concluded with a scenic open water event on the Atherton Tablelands, where 74 swimmers took on either a 1500 or 3000 metre course in the 24-degree waters of Lake Barrine.
Among the competitors were three representatives from the North Mackay Sinkers, a local masters swimming club known for its community spirit and dedication to personal improvement.
Geoffrey Robinson, the club’s most experienced competitor, led the way with a clean sweep of gold medals in all his events. He secured first place in the 50, 100, 200 and 400 metre freestyle events in the pool and added a fifth gold in the 1500 metre open water swim.
First-time competitor Melissa Lysaught delivered an impressive debut, winning five silver medals in the 50 and 100 metre freestyle, 50 and 100 metre backstroke, and 200 metre individual medley. She also took bronze in the butterfly and placed just outside the medals in breaststroke and the 200-metre freestyle. Lysaught rounded out her campaign with a silver in the 3-kilometre open water swim.
Club vice president Daniel Stampa added further to the medal tally, winning gold in the 50-metre breaststroke and 200 metre individual medley, and bronze in the 50-metre backstroke. He also secured multiple fourth-place finishes across freestyle and butterfly distances, and a silver in the 3-kilometre open water swim.
Club members are now preparing for the upcoming North Queensland Masters Championships, to be held in Townsville this September. Attention also turns to the club’s premier annual event, the Whitehaven Beach Open Water Swim, scheduled for Sunday, October 5 during the King’s Birthday long weekend. Members receive a discounted entry to the event.
Training continues throughout winter at the Memorial Pool in Mackay:
• Mondays and Wednesdays: 5:30–6:30pm
• Saturdays: 8:00–9:00am
New and returning swimmers are encouraged to come along and get involved.
For more information, visit the North Mackay Sinkers on social media or attend a training session.
Contributed by Dan Stampa
Melissa Lysaught in Lane 8 at the start of the 200m mixed freestyle event
Geoff Robinson in the closest lane completes the tough 400m freestyle event and claims his first of 5 gold medal performances
The Sinkers representatives, Geoff, Mel and Dan, after the pool events concluded and looking forward to the Open water swim
After 4 days of competition, swimmers relaxed after the final events in Lake Barrine, a picture-perfect spot. Photos supplied
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