The Crescent Head Aquatic Centre hosted their 11th annual qualify meet for the North Coast last Saturday and more than 80 competitors were in attendance and there was more than 400 entries.
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Meet director Renee Marchment said there were fears the carnival would be cancelled but fortunately the air quality improved on Friday.
"There was a lot of concern surrounding whether we were going to be able to hold the event, but it cleared up and ended up being quite good conditions," Marchment told the Argus.
"We were so glad we made the decision because it was a very successful day and we had so much positive feedback."
Local competitors from the Crescent Head Aquatic Centre and the Kempsey Swimming Club excelled and picked up medals in numerous events.
Crescent Head had one representative, Shae-ala Marchment, achieve a qualifying time for the NSW State Championships held between December 13-18 and for the NSW Country Championships on February 21-23.
Shae-ala qualified in the 200m backstroke for the NSW State Championships and in the 100m and 200m backstroke for the NSW Country Championships.
Crescent Head competitors Chase Bryant, Caleb Mavin, Frankie Supple, Cassidy Supple, Harvey Nicholson, Monique Mavin, Rylah Hopper-Buckland, James Buls, Estelle Turnbull and Cjay Connor earned a top three finish in at least one race.
"The club is so proud of the efforts of all of our competitors," Marchment said.
"We had so many representatives get personal bests in a lot of their races and that's what it is really about, improving and enjoying a day of racing.
"It was nice for members of the community to come together for something positive after such a tough fortnight for a lot of people."
The qualifying meet attracted competitors from Laurieton to Coffs Harbour but was open to the entire North Coast.
There was a lovely end to the day when a family from Sawtell won the Crescent Head Country Club raffle but decided to donate it to the local RFS team.
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