Vikings pack a punch at Pan Pacs Masters Games 2024
Report by Elizabeth Merenda
The Pan Pacific Masters Games were held in November on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Held biennially, the Pan Pacific Masters Games encompassed over 12,000 athletes participating in 45 sports, including archery and equestrian to volleyball, water polo, and swimming.
The swimming competition, run by Masters Swimming Queensland, was held from 6-10 November 2024 at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport.
Swimmers from the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mongolia, Japan, and New Zealand combined with those from around Australia to have fun swimming together and challenging each other in the pool.
A small but mighty team made the trip to represent the Tuggeranong Vikings including John Collis, Ron Watkins, Caz Makin, and Elizabeth Merenda.
John Collis led the charge in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke. John swam well and narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
Ron Watkins sprinted his way to three Silver medals in the 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, and 50m Backstroke.
Caz Makin led from the start to smash the 800m Freestyle Games Record and take Gold. She continued her good form gaining Silver in the 400m Freestyle. After several other swims, In the last event of four days of competition, Caz swam beautifully to take the Silver in the 100m Butterfly. Caz also took part in a Women’s 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay with ladies from Coffs Harbour, Penrith, and Mornington Peninsula. Caz then joined up with the Townsville Aqualholics in two Mixed relays to round off the meet.
Elizabeth Merenda swam well in the 400m and 200m Medley and picked up a swag of medals throughout her events. Elizabeth was also part of a Women’s 4 x 50 Medley and Women’s 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay breaking the Games Records in both age group events.
In total, our Vikings finished strongly with 1 Games Record, 8 Gold, and 5 Silver medals.
On the last night of competition, the swimmers were able to socialise with athletes from other sports in the closing ceremony at the Games Village. With Sneaky Sound System providing the entertainment, it was a great opportunity to be together and have fun, before heading home with all our memories of fun and friendship at the Gold Coast.
We hope to see you all at the Pan Pacific Games next time in November 2026.
