Pilbara swimmers smash personal best times at Northern Regional Short Course Carnival

More than 80 swimmers from across the Pilbara descended on Wickham for the opening round of the Northern Regional Short Course Carnival. Eighty-four swimmers from Karratha, Port Hedland, Wickham, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price competed across a total of 461 races. It also marked the first event hosted by the Wickham Wahoo Swim Club since 2019. 133 new personal bests were set by competitors across the meet, with Karratha leading the way with 60, while Hedland followed closely behind with 54. In the 15 years and over division, the 100m and 200m backstroke events were won by Abby Smith, 15, while the 100m freesytle was taken out by Mila Jenkins, 15. Smith also took out the 200m and 400m freestyle categories. Hedland’s James Roser, 16, won the men’s 100m and 200m individual medley events while Wickham’s Esther Willett-Green, 16, claimed the women’s 200m medley and Jenkins the 100m women’s medley. Wickham Wahoo Swim Club president Troy Johnston said the club entered 19 competitors in the carnival. “It’s wonderful that our community’s been able to put it all together,” he said. “And we’ve got 19 swimmers turned up, it’s been an amazing event. Everybody seems to be happy. So it’s been it’s been pretty good.” Johnston said having the competition in Wickham gave locals the opportunity to compete without having to travel and find accommodation. “The parents are able to bring their kids down for the day and not have to worry about travel and expenses and trying to find accommodation at short notice,” he said. “It’s got a few new members in which has been great for the club, but also the swimmers having their first go are enjoying it, so hopefully they get the bug and they’ll be at the next one.”