Cape York’s future Olympic stars were put through their paces by two of the most qualified coaches you could come across at a two-day clinic in Cooktown earlier this month.

On November 6 and 7, around 46 members from Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club had the opportunity to be coached by former Olympians – breaststroke champion Leisel Jones and backstroke star Meagen Nay – who flew from Brisbane to host the clinic.

The weekend was filled with lots of drills, stroke corrections and fun-filled games.

“Each and every member that attended learnt something new and will hopefully put their new skills to work,” club president Melissa Gunton said.

Following the two-day clinic, the Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club sent around 30 members to the Dimbulah Swimming Carnival.

“A big thanks must go to Hinterland Aviation, who covered the cost of the flights from Cairns to Cooktown for our special guests, and to Cook Shire Council for allowing us to use the pool for the weekend,” Ms Gunton said.

“Thanks must also go to all the club families who contributed to helping out at the coaching clinic.

“We are hoping the ladies will return to Cooktown sometime in the near future to host another clinic for us.”

The award winners for the weekend were: Ella Habermann, Lachlan Little, Maileh White, Natalie Treloar and Chase Hunt.

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 16 November 2021.