More than 1100 entries were received from 179 swimmers representing Swimming North Coast (SNC) area clubs including Macksville, Port, Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Dorrigo, Laurieton, Kempsey, Crescent Head, Grafton, Forster, Nambucca, Tamworth and Armidale.

Marlins president Dianne Wall was happy with the response, which gives the club the opportunity to showcase the swimming club, pool complex and town.

The centre offers an Olympic size eight-lane pool with competition blocks and an electronic starting and timing system.

The Marlins are centrally located in the ‘Area’ and has the potential to attract competitors from the northern and southern clubs.

The Marlins are currently striving to heat the 50-metre pool which will not only benefit the local community – it will make the complex more enticing to visiting clubs from across the coast and west to the Tablelands.

Warmer water means faster times, which is what the swimmers and coaches are striving for.

Swimming North Coast technical officials were at the carnival on Saturday, meaning the swimmers are able to use their times to meet qualification criteria for the upcoming SNC Championships, NSW State Age, NSW Country Regionals, NSW Country and National meets, which was a great drawcard for visiting competitors.

The Marlins were well represented on the weekend with 34 members taking to the water, all of whom were striving for personal best times.

Marlins members Wilson Baade, Toria Kete, Nate Pike, Jaxon and Tazmyn White and Ella–Rose Faulds had their first taste of competing at this level, and judging by their smiles and fantastic results they will be putting the Marlins cap on again in the future.

The seasoned members swam extremely well with many coming in the top four in their age groups as well as improving on their personal best times.

Marlins representatives were Toby Batten, Courtney and Brayden Clark, Brody and Ryan Faulds, Corey, Rhys and Symon Gleeson, Kate Payne, Leah and Bailey Pickvance, Tayla and Georgia Pearce, Asha and Koah Searle, Jade Summerville, Declan, Jazmin and Keeley Sutton, Tahlia Wall, and Darcy, Cohen and Kirby Welsh.

Marlins would like to acknowledge the support of the local business community who generously sponsored events on the day and the Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre management and staff who are great supporters.

A special mention to the committee members, life members, parents, helpers and grandparents who worked tirelessly up to and during the carnival, which made the day so successful.