Swimmers lively at local pool

Swimming is alive and well in Eketahuna despite concerns the town's pool could face closure.

A community swim relay was held on Sunday night, at the Eketahuna Swimming Pool, with 15 teams of four putting the pool to good use.

Swimmers of all ages gathered to compete in swimming events and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the pool.

The youngest Eketahuna Swimming Club member, Grace Duffy, cut a celebratory birthday cake.

Entry cost $20 per team and money raised went towards prizes for the night and funding for next year's event.

President of the Eketahuna swimming pool management council Ryan Seater said there had been talk of the pool closing down.

"It's due for a revamp, it's in the council's long-term budget to replace it," Mr Seater said.

"We've just got to prove to them that it's a good asset and we don't want to lose it."

Mr Seater said he had organised the event "for people to know that the pool is there to be used and to show what good facilities we have".

He also said as a keen swimmer himself he wanted to give others the opportunity to experience the sport.

"I had it as a young kid so now is the time to return the favour," he said.

Races started at 6.30pm and finished at 8.30pm, a relay race, a 25m sprint and a freediver's underwater sprint took place.

The Real Water Ninjas, Featherston, took out the relay, winning $80, and Ben Blackwell, Eketahuna, took out the 25m sprint winning $30.

A demonstration from the freedivers, with Martinborough freediver Kathryn Nevatt giving participants some tips, also took place.

Mr Seater said the swim relay would become an annual event.

"Everyone's saying they are going to put in more teams next year."