On Sunday our swimmers headed once again to Hamilton, for Meet 2 of the HOSC 2025 Winter Series in this years short course season. Once again, Portland swimmers represented well, with 11 swimmers heading to Hamilton for the day – and they did not disappoint! 

Firstly a huge shout out to two swimmers who competed in their very first competitive swim meet for the club – Jaylan Tomlin and Marie Beddows.   

When Jaylan stood on the blocks and dove into the pool, you wouldn’t have known it was his first meet, but we know how hard he has worked in the pool developing his technique, learning turns and building his endurance both in the pool and in the surf. Jaylan’s swims were strong, including a 1st place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 3.03.71. 

Marie, our youngest competitor on the day, placed in all her events (1st in 25m breaststroke (34.88), 2nd in 25m backstroke (26.08) and 3rd in the 50m freestyle (50.30)). With a beautiful strong kick and tight turns at the wall, Marie showed us she is one to keep your eye on in the future.  

Our swimmers passion for their chosen sport of swimming and resilience was shown in a number of our swimmers on the day returning from injury and illness and working through injuries.  

Rhys Beddows returned to the pool after an injury saw him out of the pool for quite a while. With a competitive spirit and pure determination and focus, Rhys bagged 5, 1st place positions and a 2nd in his age group. He competed in a number of distance events, taking on the 200m Breaststroke and 100m Breaststroke for the first time and gaining massive PB’s in his 200m Freestyle (3:29.28 PB –13.43), 100m IM (1:57.03 PB –9.33) and 100m Freestyle (1:31.21 PB-6.29).   

Laurens Vosloo ‘Vossie’ has been managing an injury and worked hard in the pool all day, placing in all his events. His highlight individual event would have been his 200m Freestyle placing 1st in his age group with a time of 2:59.46 and a PB of –9.11. Super proud of your effort Vossie! 

Matilda Andrews entered on the day, returning from illness, just wanting to get back in the water and be part of the team! No expectations other than to swim and have fun. Sometimes that’s what makes the difference - Matilda managing to bag an ever elusive PB in her 50m Freestyle, kicking her way to 3rd Place (33.72 PB-2.79). 

With her smooth sleek style and her whole family cheering from the sidelines, Rebecca Deocampo demonstrates elegance and speed in the water placing in 3 of her events and chipping away at those PB’s (1st 100m Freestyle 1:26.03 PB-2.47, 3rd 50m Freestyle 38.66 PB-1.16, and 3rd in 50m Breaststroke 56.90 PB-1.05). 

Makaylee Cox, our quiet achiever showed what hard work can do. Makaylee has developed so much as a swimmer in the last 12months, increasing her training, and fitting in sessions in her own time. Makaylee achieved PB’s in all her events on the day. Highlights would include 1st 200m IM (3:25.41 PB-4.27), 2nd 200m Freestyle (3:03,94 PB –4.11) and 2nd 50m Backstroke 42.62 PB-5.51). 

The Healy brothers showed they are a force to be reckoned with. Leo Healy placed in all his events, bagging 5 1st places and a 2nd . Leo showed us all why breaststroke is his favourite swim stroke, delivering himself a massive –8.67 PB in his 100m breaststroke event in a time of 2:06.07.  Riley Healy placed in all his events and snagged the biggest PB for Portland on the day, a massive –16.91 off his 100m IM time, placing 1st in his age group in a time of 1:40.94.  

The most exciting event of the day though, goes to Lexi Munn and Quinn Ward, who swam in the same mixed Heat for the 50m breaststroke. Side by side, glide for glide, the Portland duo could not be separated down the pool, and their times say it all (Lexi 45.92; Quinn 45.93) - What a race!  

From a coaching perspective, our relays truly highlighted the Portland Swim Clubs team spirit and support for one another. The sportsmanship and comradery shown by our swimmers when they were asked if they would like to join in and be part of the Mount Gambier Swim Club’s relay team when they were short, then competing in these events was awesome and shows what being part of a swim club team is all about! 

To all the parents and family members who attended on the day, we say a huge thank you. From getting your swimmer to the meet to cheering them on from the grandstands, and the numerous training sessions in between, without your support we wouldn’t have the amazing team we have! 

Well done Southern Bluefins! - By Kristy Andrews, President Portland Swimming Club.