Dubai Open & Gold Squad Training Camp

The Gold Squad recently headed to Dubai for our first international trip together since taking over the program in 2022, and what an experience it was.

We travelled with 11 athletes to compete at the Dubai Open, combining the meet with a high-quality training camp at the incredible Hamdan Sports Complex. The venue was world-class, a 15,000-seat stadium, two 50-metre pools and a diving pool, very similar to what we’re used to at major Australian meets, but on a huge scale.

One of the biggest highlights was the final sessions. Racing was done in near darkness, with lights focused into the pool, creating an unbelievable atmosphere. It was something different from what most of the team had experienced before, and added another layer to learning how to perform under pressure.

From a performance point of view, the group handled the trip exceptionally well, especially given the high training load we were under as part of our long-term preparation. We saw several personal bests and some great night-time improvements, with many swimmers racing faster in finals than in the morning heats. It was also pleasing to see several athletes improve on their State Long Course performances from just a few weeks earlier.

A special mention to:

• Kyle Chalmers – Silver medals in the 50m Butterfly, 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle.

• Inge Chalmers – Bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke in her return to international racing after welcoming Astrid.

• Rose Kishnets – Gold 12 years 50 Backstroke

We also had multiple swimmers step up into A and B finals, gaining valuable experience racing internationally.

Outside the pool, the team embraced the opportunity to explore and experience a new culture, visiting the Burj Khalifa and Old Dubai, and spending time together as a group. These shared experiences are incredibly important for building connection, maturity, and independence within the squad.

Overall, this trip gave our swimmers great confidence and motivation moving forward. Competing overseas challenges athletes in different ways, from travel and recovery to racing environments, and our group handled it with professionalism and enthusiasm.

Thank you to the Club and YMCA for their support in making this opportunity possible. We’re excited about what this experience will mean for the rest of the season and beyond.