Ruby Morrison in action at the Special Olympics swimming event in Masterton on Sunday. PHOTO/GRAEME BOWDEN
SWIMMING
JAKE BELESKI
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About 80 swimmers took to the water at the Trust House Recreation Centre on Sunday for a Special Olympics swim meet.
The event was open to swimmers of all ages, and there were competitors from across the lower North Island.
Special Olympics Wairarapa hosted the event, which featured five Wairarapa swimmers and others from clubs in Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua, Hutt Valley, Mana and Wellington.
Marilyn Morrison of Special Olympics Wairarapa said the event was becoming a regular fixture in Masterton, and everything had gone to plan on Sunday.
“Everything went really well and all the clubs we thought were going to be there turned up.
“It was enormously pleasing and a lot of people volunteered their time to help us out.”
Morrison said it was the only event of its kind in Wairarapa each year, but the swimmers would often travel to other regions to compete in similar events.
“From a Wairarapa perspective it’s just once a year.
“We do some athletics stuff as well, particularly with the secondary schools, but that’s usually in Term 4.
“Some swimmers go and swim at other events in Manawatu and other places as well.”
Morrison said the event would not have been possible without the efforts of the volunteers.
“The pool staff were fantastic to make it go as well as it did as well.”
