Teamwork drives friendly swimmers

They say swimming is a lonely sport, however a team of dedicated swimmers from the South West has proven that theory wrong.

The ‘Thelma and Mates’ team formed initially in 1996 to support Thelma Sharp of Carey Park to swim the Busselton JettySwim.

In 2018, Liz Common of Gelorup, Aina Hargans and Maureen Owen of Bunbury along with Ms Sharp form the team of friends currently training for the SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim for 2019.

The team ranges in age from 64 to 82, and in swimming experience from just five years to about 80.

The four women are all members of the Bunbury Masters Swimming Club.

Their main goal is to train hard in the lead up to the event and get Sharp across the finish line at the Busselton Jetty Swim on February 10, 2019.

Sharp will be 82 and will be participating for the 24th time, not missing one year of the event’s history.

Apart from her success in the Jetty Swim, Sharp has swum to Rottnest in teams a total of four times and has set numerous records in her State Masters Swimming category.

“I swim in the Busselton Jetty Swim every year to keep fit,” she said.

“I enjoy the swim itself and all the great activities offered in the jetty area both before and after the swim.”

Thelma and Mates team members will join the 3100 swimmers participating in the main 3.6 kilometre swim around the jetty.

The team certainly embodies the Masters Swimming motto – “Fitness, Friendship and Fun.”