One of Australia’s Olympic legends visited Bunbury for a weekend of swimming events.
Australian gold medal-winning swimmer Kylie Palmer assisted with the 2018 Australia Swims Bunbury event on Saturday, January 20 and Sunday January 21.
Saturday saw two Optus Junior Dolphin Clinics at the South West Sports Centre, assisted by the City of Bunbury.
On Sunday, Australia Swims hosted an Open Water Swim and the Optus Junior Dolphins Fun Beach Carnival at Koombana Bay.
The City of Bunbury, Bunbury Swimming Club, and Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club threw their support behind Sunday’s events.
The Open Water Swim ranged from 250 metres to 1 kilometre, depending on the age group.
Palmer enjoyed teaching Bunbury’s youngsters more about pool and open water swimming.
“It’s about getting people in and getting them to realise that swimming can be fun and social, so it’s definitely very cool,” she said.
“It’s about them having fun with their mates, getting in the water, and knowing how much fun the water can be.”
Swimming Australia volunteer and member services coordinator Elise Mace said the event promoted the sport’s health and wellbeing benefits.
“The main aim is for everyone to have fun, get in the water and enjoy what Australia is known for which is swimming,” she said.
“We wanted to get out to as many regional councils across Australia as possible and spread the word about swimming.”
Bunbury Swimming Club head coach Toni Moore said it was a fantastic opportunity for the town’s junior swimmers to try something new and build confidence with open water swimming.
Bunbury SLSC president Denise Duncan was happy to see the participants visit Koombana Bay and learn to swim in open water.
Australia Swims clinics were also held in Hamilton, Moreton Bay, Murray Bridge, Nowra, Traralgon, Ulladulla, and Mandurah.
Ms Mace hoped to deliver similar clinics in Bunbury and across Australia in the future.
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