Narrabri Stingrays Swimming Club’s annual carnival gets a big tick of approval

Narrabri Stingrays Swimming Club hosted its 2023/24 summer season carnival at Narrabri Aquatic Centre on Saturday.

There were 138 swimmers in action on the day, with club officials proudly announcing it was the largest carnival the club has held in many years.

It was quite a warm summer day in Narrabri but the swimmers kept cool in the pool and there were more than enough ice blocks, water, shade and watermelon to go around for those on the pool deck.

Joining the Narrabri team members were swimmers from Wee Waa, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Armidale, Inverell, Kootingal, Coolah, Tamworth, Moree, Denman, Coonabarabran, Quirindi, Tenterfield, Warialda, Muswellbrook and Scone.

There were 32 Stingrays swimmers in action who all did their local club proud throughout the event.

They combined for 81 personal best times and 63 placings, including 22 first-placed finishes, 21 second-place finishes and 20 third-placed finishes.

Narrabri Stingrays Swimming Club secretary Jocelyn Smith was thrilled with the way the carnival ran and with the number of travelling swimmers who attended to help make the day a great success.

“It went really well and we got lots of very positive feedback,” Smith said.

“Lots of towns that travelled said that they’d definitely be coming back next year.

“I didn’t hear any negative feedback at all, and everyone felt really well-looked after.

“We had 138 competitors. It was the biggest carnival we’ve had in a long time. There were actually more here than at Scully Park (in Tamworth), which had its carnival two weeks ago.

“It was just a really great day and we finished right on 3pm, which is what we were hoping for.”

Smith said that while it was a very hot day in Narrabri, the 17 clubs were able to push through with no issues.

“We actually had people ringing to ask if we were going to call it off,” she said.

“We did everything we could.

“We went scavenging to try and find as many tents as we could. We also had sunscreen and water at each end for the spectators and we were hosing down the cement for the swimmers because their feet were getting hot.

“Everybody seemed to be happy with all of that.”

Smith also commended the local Stingrays swimmers for their efforts on the day, describing the number of podium finishes and personal best times as well as the club spirit shown by all as “absolutely amazing”.