FOR the first time since 2019 the Portland Swimming Club is hosting a local meet at the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre tomorrow.

After a four-year hiatus from a locally run meet, the club is keen to build on its current group of swimmers by providing the chance to test out competition swimming at their own pool.

So far, the club has received at least 60 entries with plenty of Portland faces dipping their toes in the pool.

The meet is off the back of the efforts from the committee and collaboration with Warrnambool Swimming Club who are pushing to see swimming thrive locally.

“We were all a bit nervous to start with as a new committee and not having a meet here for a few years, so it’s the first one and it will be a learning phase but it’s all coming together really well,” Portland Swimming Club president Kristy Andrews said.

“Warrnambool Swimming Club has been amazing and Tania Matters has been working behind the scenes with them which has been a huge part of being able to run this weekend. We’re going to borrow their equipment and learn how it works so it’s such a great opportunity for us.

“We’ve also got a really enthusiastic group of parents which makes a massive difference, everyone is chipping in to make this event a success.”

Andrews said tomorrow’s event is also a prime opportunity to give their swimmers an opportunity to compete under race conditions.

“The younger kids are really coming along and we’ve had a few going to other meets around the region and testing themselves,” Andrews said.

“It’s the perfect place to learn some race skills and get used to that environment and the kids have been developing so much which has created excitement.

“At the start of the year we had 20 swimmers and now we’re nearly up to 30 so kids are coming and having a go.

“We’ve also got an encouragement division so kids who aren’t registered with Swimming Victoria can still be involved and see if they like it or not.”

The club has been in a rebuild phase post COVID and along with the departure of long-time coach Paige Olejniczak, Andrews said they have found some momentum this year and are ready to keep building.

“Paige moved away which we completely understood but it was a big loss to us after everything she contributed; despite that, everyone has really rallied together and this new committee and parents all of our coaches are doing a great job in working toward a strong future for the club.”

Warm ups begin at 11am with racing kicking off at midday.