CENTENARY celebrations and the hosting of the annual Summer Splash carnival made for a memorable weekend for the Coffs Harbour Swim Club.

“The annual Summer Splash was a massive success,” Coffs Harbour Swim Club secretary Sam Bergen told News Of The Area.

“We hosted over 260 swimmers from 36 clubs across the two days and there were lots of personal bests (PBs) achieved, qualifying times for state meets met and some club records broken.

“The swimmers were all fortunate to be able to watch Paralympian Maddie McTernan swim and to get her autograph.

“Maddie also presented the club and her former coach Eugine Brogmus with a beautiful, autographed picture of her Olympic medals-winning team,” said Sam.

On Saturday night, the focus shifted to celebrating the club’s centenary.

“With many families joining us we made sure there was something for everyone,” Sam said.

“We presented a walk through the club’s history with memorabilia and history on display.”

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh both made an appearance.

“Both popped in to congratulate the club.”

A number of fun swimming-themed events were held, including the ‘coin toss’ and the ‘buccaneer challenge’.

“We had everyone, from the smallest members through to our biggest, and even one of our life members, Richy Lloyd, tackling the slippery buccaneer challenge.”

Nine of the club’s swimmers, supported by former Australian synchronised swimmer Helen Phipps, put on a beautiful synchronised swimming demonstration that they learnt over the past four weeks.

Food trucks Rollaway and Get Whipped provided the food for the evening, while the Coffs Coast Pipes and Drums band stirred the crowd with a talented performance.

Swim Club Life Members Colleen Gill and Jenni Bailey did the honours of cutting the centenary birthday cake, made by Kirk at the Woolworths bakery in Woolgoolga.

The night concluded with a fireworks display by Kaboom.

“It was an exceptional weekend, the committee is so grateful to everyone who came and helped us celebrate the momentous achievements and all the hard work and contributions from each and every person who helped over the weekend to make it the success it was,” said Sam.

By Andrea FERRARI