Special Olympic Wairarapa officials were delighted with the success of their aquatics meet held at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton on Saturday.
It was the first competitive event held by the organisation since it was established in August and everything went according to plan.
"Honestly it couldn't have been better, it was just what we were looking for," Wairarapa chairwoman and aquatics coach Gaylene van Wijk said.
With 82 swimmers from throughout the lower North Island including Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington, Horowhenua, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and, of course, Wairarapa competing, the programme was crowded and van Wijk was "extremely grateful" for the support from Swim Wairarapa personnel and volunteers.
"People came out of the woodwork to help us out, in fact we probably had more volunteers than we needed," she said, adding that the number of spectators also exceeded expectations. "It was wonderful to see so many people egging the swimmers on, the atmosphere was amazing."
