Queenstown swimmers retain shield

Queenstown Swimming Club members celebrate keeping the winners’ shield for the fourth year in a row at the Colin Walker Memorial Swim Meet in the resort on Saturday.

Club president Sharron Payne said 38 of its members were among nearly 100 competitors from nine Otago and Southland clubs who took part in the 12th annual meet at Alpine Aqualand in Frankton.

They ranged in age from 8 to 16.

Wanaka Swim Club was runner-up and Cromwell Swimming Club was third.

The competition, formerly known as the Earlybird Shield, was renamed three years ago soon after the death of Queenstown Swimming Club stalwart Colin Walker.