Dash for Cash races, a knockout SKINS event and a giant raffle were among the highlights at the Swimming Gunnedah short course winter carnival last Saturday.

About 115 competitors from 17 clubs including Gulgong, Manilla, Tamworth, Armidale, Dubbo and Coonabarabran competed along with swimmers from the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions.

Gunnedah had a hugely successful meet with 39 swimmers aged between seven and 15 years lining up on the blocks, including six who competed for the first time.

The host club won 65 gold, 45 silver and 42 bronze medals while also clocking a massive 83 personal best (PB) times.

“What was pleasing was swimmers entering events outside their comfort zones with many competing in the 200m breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle and individual medley for the first time,” head coach Colin Marley said.

“It was a great club effort with swimmers supporting each other and Gunnedah definitely showing encouragement for one another.

“Swimmers gained qualifying times for the New England North West Regional Championships at Inverell in August and NSW Junior State Age in September.”

The Dash for Cash races were a major drawcard, with swimmers battling it out in a fast and furious 25m freestyle sprint in various age divisions.

Prizemoney went to the top three finishers including Gunnedah’s Jimmy Fitzgerald, Aiden Sills, Ayden Thompson, Philipa Wark, Matilda Ramien, Cameron Sills, Banjo Fitzgerald, Nathan Reeves, Tayla Thompson, Macey Dalessandro, Will Jansen, Tahnee Steele and local swimmer Alexis Whitton who represented Knox Pymble.

Next was the highly competitive SKINS event where the top six fastest freestylers in three age divisions competed for cash in a series of 50m knockout races and were given 30 seconds rest between each.

It was a test of fight and endurance where strategy played a part, while the winner is not always the fastest.

Jimmy, Cameron, Tayla and Alexis hit the wall first during a gruelling fight to the finish.

The raffle included $3,500 worth of prizes while raising much-needed funds for the club.

SKINS winners. Back: Cameron Sills, Riley Stocks (Denman), Alexis Whitton. Front: Georgia Abra (Manilla), Jimmy Fitzgerald, Tayla Thompson.

Gunnedah’s 11-12 Girls Dash for Cash winner Tayla Thompson (second from right) and runner-up Macey Dalessandro (left), with race sponsor Louise Whitton from Focus on Function.

Bobbie Crane and Mimi Sheridan who competed for the first time.

Matilda Ramien in the final of the SKINS 10&U event.

Darci Dalessandro in a backstroke race.

Edwina Goddard and Deuk Bergholcs.