Photo Tweed Shire Council
Two Indonesian elite swimmers have returned to make the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre their training headquarters this month after gaining competition success after basing themselves there five years ago.
They’ve brought another mate along for the ride and juniors from Japan are also using for their swimming camp.
And while the Indo duo have nothing for praise for the quality of the pool, it’s Murwillumbah’s quiet life that they say holds the real secret to their training success.
Glenn Victor Sutanto and Triady Fauzi Sidiq said they were so impressed by Murwillumbah as a training home away from home, they themselves approached the Indonesian Swimming Federation and asked if they could return.
TRAC’s head swim coach Gavin Urquhart said both swimmers enjoyed success after their previous stint in the Tweed, including high placings in the Asian Games and podium results in the South East Asian (SEA) Games.
Glenn is a 27-year-old butterfly specialist, and Triady, a 25-year-old butterfly and freestyle competitor.
The pair also arranged for 22-year-old backstroker I Gede Siman Sudartawa to join them this time around.
Glenn said Murwillumbah and its aquatic centre was a perfect location to focus on training, with its high quality facilities, affordable accommodation, excellent fresh food and close proximity to a major airport.
‘You are also away from the distractions you might get in a city. Here you can lose yourself in swimming and make sure you are as well prepared as possible,’ he said.
During their two-month stint based at Murwillumbah, the trio will contest two Olympic qualifier events, the first in Australia and the second in Malaysia, and will prepare for the next SEA Games and Asian Games.
Murwillumbah TRAC also hosted five Japanese swimmers for a week earlier this month.
‘It will be a trial to see how the athletes perform,’ Mr Urquhart said.
‘We are in a really good position to host camps and I am promoting our facilities leading into the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games,’ he added.
Both visits this month have spawned from Mr Urquhart’s previous work as a coach in Malaysia and his ongoing connections with Asian swimming.
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