Tim Wellm in action during a breakthrough year that has seen him race against Australia's top swimmers.
A 16-year-old who learned to swim in Council's Murwillumbah pool has put himself among the fastest teenage backstrokers Australia has ever produced, swimming within 0.4 seconds of the national 50 m backstroke record.
Tim Wellm swam 24.80 seconds in the 50 m backstroke at the National Short Course Championships (Open) in Sydney on 1 October. It is the 3rd fastest time ever recorded by a 16-year-old Australian.
The swim sent him into the Men's Open final as the 10th fastest qualifier, racing against the country's best at a meet that doubles as a qualifier for the World Championships. The final was televised on 9Now where Tim came 10th with a time of 24.88 seconds.
Tim swam 6 races at the championships. He said the 50 m backstroke was the one where he exceeded his own expectations.
"I did a really big PB and ended up making the A final in the 50 m backstroke against all the older boys," Tim said.
Tim started in the learn-to-swim program at Council's Murwillumbah Pool when he was about 3 years old and it remains the place where he trains today. Since the age of 12, he has been getting up at 5 am most mornings to pursue his passion for swimming.
"After doing it from about 12 years old, you get used to waking up at 5 am every morning," he said.
Tim's coach, Council Pool Attendant Graham Huband, said Tim had developed into a strong backstroke and butterfly swimmer and was moving into the sprint events.
"Tim is at the top of the tree at the moment and is a great role model. He has a bunch of 10 to 12-year-olds, particularly boys, chasing his school and local records. It is a privilege to coach him," Mr Huband said.
Tim has his sights set on Brisbane 2032, with junior Dolphins teams as stepping stones along the way. Mr Huband said the focus over the next 2 years would be the 50 m butterfly and 50m backstroke, with the 2028 Olympic Trials the next big target.
Murwillumbah is home to the Tweed's 50 m pool; a facility Council is proud to offer local athletes and the wider community.
"It is a really good facility, with great start blocks and a good 50 m pool to train in," Mr Huband said.
Council also runs two 25 m pools at Kingscliff and Tweed Heads and is planning for the long-term needs of a growing Shire.
Murray Smith, Manager Parks and Active Communities, said Tim's result was a proud moment for the Tweed.
"Congratulations to Tim on an outstanding swim. We are very proud of our 50 m pool in Murwillumbah and it is wonderful to see a local athlete who has come up through our pools racing against Australia's best," Mr Smith said.
"Tim's dedication and the support of his coach, his family and the pool community, is a great example for young swimmers across the Tweed. We can't wait to see what he does next."
Council Pool Attendant and coach Graham Huband (left) with swimmer Tim Wellm (right), who learned to swim at Council's Murwillumbah Pool and now competes with Australia's best.
Downloads
Caption: Tim Wellm in action during a breakthrough year that has seen him race against Australia's top swimmers.
Photo 2: Tim Wellm and coach Graham Huband
Caption: Council Pool Attendant and coach Graham Huband (left) with swimmer Tim Wellm (right), who learned to swim at Council's Murwillumbah Pool and now competes with Australia's best.
Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan:
