Swimmers hurt by Stingrays

Members of the Mandurah Swimming Club may consider quitting training at Aqua Jetty after claims the Rockingham Stingrays were unaccommodating to club swimmers under the age of 10.

President Sian Pritchard hoped the temporary move to train at Aqua Jetty during the redevelopment of the Mandurah Aquatic Recreation Centre would be smooth sailing, but said it was not working.

“Outdoors is okay, but we can’t use the indoor pool until the Rockingham squad has finished at 6.30pm,” she said.

She said the rule meant the club’s junior squad were forced to train in the 50m outdoor pool or wait until the Stingrays had finished for access to the indoor pool.

“Pool management granted permission, but the club don’t want us on the deck at the same time,” she said.

Ms Pritchard said coaches were used to sharing pool decks at Mandurah and was disappointed.

Mandurah Swimming Club mum Jenny Cook said she spent two-and-a-half hours, two days a week, getting her children to training, but did not appreciate nine-year-old son Kaleb being forced to swim in the cold outdoor pool.

“Kaleb lasts 40 minutes before he gets too cold and starts to cramp up,” she said.

Ms Cook said waiting to train indoors meant juniors were swimming until 8pm, not eating until 9pm and getting to bed too late to function properly at school the following day.

“The kids love swimming, but if it continues, I will have to pull them out,” she said.

Rockingham City Mayor Barry Sammels said the club’s initial request was for lane space in the outdoor pool only, which was approved on the basis coaches would operate from opposite ends of the pool and public lanes to separate the clubs.

He said Rockingham Swimming Club claimed sharing inside would require coaches to work in close proximity, which could have compromised coaching and training. The Stingrays were contacted for comment.