Wairarapa swimmerswill have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best in the country at a special meet to be held at the Genesis Recreation Centre pool in Masterton on Wednesday, July 7.
Former Olympian and world champion gold medallist Jonathan Winter is now coach of the Auckland-basedUnited club and he is taking a powerful squad of about 20 on a short tour, which will see them compete at Cambridge and Palmerston North before they arrive here.
Swim Wairarapa general secretary Maryann Corrigan said her organisation was delighted to be hosting the United touring party on two counts.
First and foremost, it would give Wairarapa's top talent the chance to measure themselves against quality opposition.
And secondly, it would give officials, mainly from Wairarapa and Manawatu, the ideal dress rehearsal for the Trans Tasman Trophy meet later that month. That event will see the cream of New Zealand's age group swimmers take on their counterparts from Australia in what will be the last of a three-test series.
Corrigan said the United visit would, in fact, be used as a trial to ensure officials targeted for the Trans Tasman competition were up to the required standard. ''How they react to certain situations will be closely watched,'' she said.
Meanwhile, 15 intermediate and primary schools from within the Masterton district, including country schools at Tinui, Whareama and Wainuioru, were involved in a carnival at the Genesis Recreation Pool on Tuesday, from which a large squad has been selected to compete against South Wairarapa, again at the rec pool, next Wednesday evening.
Amy Herbert of Douglas Park School said Tuesday's meet was the first of its kind held for some years and she praised the assistance given to organisers by Masterton Swimming Club officials
