Seagulls swoop in to excel at Masters

The Gosford Seagulls swim club has come a long way since it was severely diminished after the pandemic.

With a handful of diehards and the enthusiasm and energy of new members, the club has exploded onto the NSW Swimming Masters scene.

Last year, there were barely enough members to attend the State Championships.

At Woy Woy, Mike Stringfellow, Greg Moeller and Matthew Dore stood poolside, happy with just 88 points but wishing they had enough swimmers to form a relay team.

They spoke of racing caps, sponsorship, and all the exciting possibilities that, at the time, felt like nothing more than a pipe dream.

 Fast forward to early this year, with new Seagulls joining the team at their first carnivals.

Mistakes were made, but the Gossy Good Times morale proved a solid foundation for what was to come.

Recently, 12 Seagulls competed at the MSNSW Short Course Championships, earning seven gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze medals, totalling 30 medals and 448 points.

Gosford Seagulls racing caps, shirts and jackets were proudly worn, advertising their generous local sponsors.

The Seagulls won their division by hundreds of points.

Members said it was satisfying and rewarding to see the result of turning up to training, putting in the effort, and actioning advice from coaches — then putting it all out on the table at a carnival and watching the personal bests fly in.

“However, it wasn’t just the thrill of racing, the adrenaline, or the medals,” a spokesperson said.

“It was about being part of a community movement – teammates building friendships, reaching out and connecting with other clubs, and supporting one another on and off the pool deck.

“The club has grown into a thriving, competitive squad that’s earning recognition across the branch.”

The Seagulls will host their very own NSW Masters Swimming Carnival on January 17 next year, so beware of swooping Seagulls.