Swag of medals for 22 swimmers from Geographe Bay Swimming Club

A squad of 22 swimmers from the Geographe Bay Swimming Club returned from the annual Swimming WA country pennants competition in Kalgoorlie with 114 medals and two pennants records. Around 500 swimmers from 25 clubs across regional WA competed in the annual competition. GBSC’s remarkable haul of medals and records included 33 golds, 49 silvers and 32 bronze. Jacob Blakey broke the boys 10-and-under 50m backstroke C-grade record, and Alice Bird-Atkinson broke the girls 13-and-under 50m freestyle C-grade record. The club, which included swimmers aged from eight to 17-years-old, travelled as a group with fundraising efforts throughout the year making it affordable. President Rich Penn said in 2023 the group travelled to Northam and only won 40 medals. “The improvement has been immense, which is a testament to our coaching and development as a club,” he said. “Our squads consist of a fitness squad for non-competitive swimmers, four competitive swimming squads and an inclusion squad designed for swimmers with diagnosed intellectual disabilities. “We are so proud that one of our inclusion squad swimmers, Lottie Armstrong competed at country pennants and won our very first multi-class swimming medal.” Later this month the club will be heading to the State Swimming Championships in Perth, and already the team is thinking about the 2025 country pennants competition in Mandurah. Previously the club was known as the GMAS swim club, and had just 16 swimmers and no coaches. Three years later and the club is reaping the rewards of the hard work during the rebranding process. The club now boasts 74 swimmers, two development coaches and four competitive swimming teachers. “We don’t focus on the elite swimmers to the detriment of others with a perceived lesser ability,” Mr Penn said.