More than 100 local primary school students swam their hearts out at the Dunstan zone swimming sports at Molyneux Pool in Alexandra yesterday (Thursday June 30).

The races were moved from Cromwell pool after the completion of the new heating system took longer than anticipated. 

Event co-ordinator and principal of Goldfields Primary Anna Harrison said illnesses such as the flu and Covid-19 together with the venue change had affected the numbers of year four to year eight children participating this year.

“We hold a properly run swim meet… it went very smoothly, it is a labour intensive sporting activity.”

Anna said the event was only possible due to the 30 volunteers monitoring strokes, recording results, marshalling and time keeping throughout the day’s heats which began at 9am and finished by 3pm. 

The swimming sports included freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, a 100 metre individual medley and team relays.

Making a splash…year five students Ruby (Goldfields Primary) and Emily (The Terrace School) were excited prior to their 25 metre freestyle heat. 

The winners of the Dunstan zone races go to the Central Otago Swimming Championships on Thursday July 7 at the Wānaka swimming pool. 

Dunstan zone schools participating were Alexandra Primary School, Clyde School, Cromwell College, Cromwell Primary, Goldfields Primary School, Poolburn School, Roxburgh Area School and The Terrace School.

There were 60 events and 100 heats and many students swam multiple times during the day.

Stopwatches at the ready, the help of volunteers ensured a smooth running swimming sports day. . 

Teachers urged swimmers to rehydrate and eat between races to keep their energy levels up.

It’s cold outside, but there was plenty of swimming action inside Molyneux pool as students cheered on their peers. 

Central Otago Primary School Sports Association (COPSSA) is the organisation responsible for overseeing the core sports of athletics, cross country, orienteering, swimming and triathlon for its 27 member primary schools within the Central.

COPSSA’s boundaries are Makarora in the North, Ranfurly in the East, Millers Flat in the South and Glenorchy in the West, and includes Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Cromwell, Wānaka, Hāwea, Tarras, Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Omakau and Poolburn areas.

PHOTOS: The Central App