The lane ropes had barely stopped moving after the first heat when the scoreboard at Wrenhaven Aquatics Centre flashed its first club record of the day. By the evening session, Bayside Swimming Club had set three, giving the host club a strong start to the regional winter championships.
More than 600 swimmers from 28 clubs have entered the four-day meet, which is being held in the centre's 50-metre pool for the first time since a refurbishment of its filtration and spectator seating. Around 1,400 tickets were sold for the opening day, and the balcony was close to full for the evening finals.
Records in breaststroke, backstroke and relay
The first record came in the women's 100 metres breaststroke, where 18-year-old Elise Vandermeer touched in 1:09.84 to win her heat and then went faster still in the final. In the afternoon, Callan Murray lowered the club's men's 200 metres backstroke mark by almost a second, and the mixed 4x50 metres freestyle relay team closed the day with a time that beat a record set nine years ago. Two of the four relay swimmers are still only 15, which has the club quietly optimistic about the seasons ahead.
Head coach Priyanka Raman said the club had planned for the championships to fall during a heavy training block, so the times were a pleasant surprise. "We have not tapered for this meet at all," she said. "The swimmers are tired, which makes today more encouraging, not less."
You hear the home crowd on the last length, and it is worth a few tenths whether you want it to be or not.
Vandermeer, who trains at six most mornings before college, said the noise in the building had carried her through the final 25 metres. She will race the 50 and 200 metres breaststroke later in the meet.
Organisers said the event had run on schedule despite a short delay when a starting block sensor needed replacing. Meet director Graham Ferris thanked more than 120 volunteer officials, timekeepers and marshals. "Without them there is no competition," he said. "Most have been on poolside since seven."
The championships continue through the weekend, with the distance freestyle events and the open water qualifiers scheduled for the final day. Entry for spectators is €6, and under-12s go free.