ONCE renowned for producing an Olympic swimmer and Commonwealth Games coach, the last three years have been pretty tough for Fremantle Port Swimming Club.

A major revamp of the Fremantle Leisure Centre saw them temporarily lose their base and momentum, so when the centre’s pools were refilled it was hard to attract swimmers back from others clubs where’d they’d become settled and it went into an extended hiatus.

But Port is back up and running and will be holding its first official race meet on December 10 from 3.15 – 6.15pm.

President Dave Lanfear said it had been important to keep the club’s name intact because of its proud history.

• Fremantle Port Swimming Club youngsters are happy to be getting back in the water. Photo by Steve Grant

Member Lara Carroll represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics, finishing sixth in the 200m individual medley, then went on to snare a bronze medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Her coach Simon Redmond is a WA swimming hall of famer.

Mr Lanfear said it was also important to revive the club rather than start from scratch because of its affiliation with Swimming Australia. Without that, its members wouldn’t be able to compete outside club meets.

Port is already running bronze and silver squad sessions from Monday to Friday under the keen eye of coach (and council employee) Mark Brown.

Mr Lanfear says at the moment they’re focusing on getting the youngsters in (and crossing their fingers there’s a James Magnussen amongst them) and then he’s got long-term plans to crank up the masters and open water squads.

by STEVE GRANT