Forster put on the most spectacular cloudless winter day with 14 degree water temperature in the bullring pool.

A competitive event with over 40 races held with ages from 18s to over 80s, 10 clubs competed with over 200 swimmers.

Clubs in attendance were, Stockton Jelly Blubbers, Nelson Bay Marlins, Port MacQuarie Walruses, Newcastle Pirates, Merewether Mackerals, Tuggerah Tuffs, Umina Blue Swimmers, Hardy’s Bay Frigit Digits, Dixon Park Coldies and Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs.

Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs dominated on the day with some great individual and relay results, finishing the day as Northern District Champions - an outstanding achievement.

Outstanding swim performances from Mudcrabs started with Bruce Kellow with silver in the over 85s and Mick Hall winning gold in the over 80s in a time of 44.47.

Bruce Waterson picked up a bronze in the 75 and over in 41.20 while Gary Treeby, Ron Collins and Paul Bennie were unlucky not to medal in this competitive age group.

Next was the over 70s and Kevin Evans won gold in 36.47 with Brian Louden a close second in 37.85 to win silver and John Robinson just returning from an injury in 42 flat in sixth.

In the 65 and over Bob Harkins picked up Bronze in 38.50 followed closely by Ross Clifft and Dick Quinn with fast swims.

The over 60s had the most starters of any event and local swim champion and swim coach Pete Sanders won gold in a time of 30.07 with Dave Quinlivan a close fourth in 33.76.

Other Mudcrabs were just off the pace with outstanding swims in the heats by Rick Barraclough, Bruce Lew, Bob Small, Paul Manning, John Moulten and Bob Lee.

In the over 55s Ken Hadley won a bronze with a 34.30 swim and in the over 50s Billy Daniels took out gold with a 31.45 time and Allan Bawden who got to the race on time, picked up the  silver in 33.10.

 Wayne Buckley was unlucky not to pick up a medal after a mishap with his start.

In the 45 and over Sean Holohan came a close fourth in a time of 32.26 closely followed by Grant Bridgement and Richard Ellery. In the 40 and overs Jason Berg won gold with a great swim of 30.23.

Once the relays started the Mudcrabs dominance in the pool continued winning the 70s and over (Kevin Evans, Brian Lowden, John Robertson, Bruce Waterson)  then the 60s and over (Pete Sanders, Rick Barraclough, Bruce Lew, Dave Quinliven) and the 50s and over (Bill Daniels, Alan Bawden, Bruce Anderson, Ken Hadley).  

The champions would not have been possible without the input of a lot of hard working Mudcrab committee people.

The Forster Aquatic Club Swim team, under Mick Summers, were the officials controlling all the events and compiled all the results. Wayne Buckley and Garg Marr made 54 litres of the best soup which was given away on the morning  and secretary Bob Harkins also put in lots of hard work in making the event such a success.  

All swimmers then attended the Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club for the dinner and presentations. The special guest at this function was female duel world boxing champion Arlene Blencowe.

Bob Lee