THE GREAT SOUTHERN OPEN
The Great Southern Open is GSSC’s major annual carnival and one of the highlights of our Club calendar.
With races from 50m through to 800m, age-group medals, relay opportunities and no qualifying times, the program provides something for swimmers across a broad range of ages and experience.
It is also an important opportunity for our own swimmers and families to come together and welcome visiting clubs to the Great Southern.
SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER - STRATHALBYN POOL (Long Course - 50m)
RACE DAY
SESSION 1 - Gates open 7.30 am, Warm-up 8.00–9.00 am, Racing starts 9.00 am
SESSION 2 - Racing starts 1.00 pm (approx.)
WHO CAN ENTER?
The Great Southern Open is a Swimming SA-sanctioned long-course competition with no qualifying times. The program includes opportunities for younger swimmers, age-group competitors and Open swimmers.
Swimmers may enter up to 8 individual events
MULTI-CLASS SWIMMERS
Multi-class swimmers are welcome to enter any event on the program and receive their own medal placings in each event.
NEW TO COMPETITION?
The meet also includes Come & Try participation. Swimmers interested in Come & Try should contact the organiser before the event so we can help with the appropriate arrangements.
MEDALS
Medals are awarded across the age groups specified for each event in the official program.
For the 50m events, medal categories include:
8 & Under
9–10 years
11–12 years
13–14 years
15 & Over
The program also includes 10 & Under medal categories for selected 100m events and Open medal categories across the longer and Open events.
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
SESSION 1 — FROM 9.00 AM
800m Freestyle
400m Individual Medley
200m Individual Medley
200m Backstroke
50m Butterfly
100m Freestyle
50m Backstroke
200m Butterfly
100m Breaststroke
SESSION 2 — FROM 1.00 PM (approx.)
400m Freestyle
100m Backstroke
200m Freestyle
50m Breaststroke
100m Butterfly
200m Breaststroke
50m Freestyle
Age and Open versions of events are provided as detailed in the official program.
DOWNLOAD / VIEW FULL PROGRAM →
ENTRIES
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
$7.00 per event
Nominations must be submitted through Swim Central by:
THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2026, 11.30 PM
Late nominations will not be accepted.
VENUE ENTRY
SWIMMERS, No charge - ADULT SPECTATORS $5.00 - CHILD / CONCESSION$4.00
STRATHALBYN SWIMMING POOL
The Great Southern Open is held at Strathalbyn Swimming Pool, giving swimmers the opportunity to race in a 50m outdoor long-course environment.
For GSSC, Strathalbyn also has particular significance, it is where our Club’s story began, with the original Strathalbyn Swimming Club established in 1935.
FOR GSSC FAMILIES
OUR CARNIVAL. OUR CLUB.
The Great Southern Open is a major whole-Club event for GSSC.
Running a carnival takes many hands, and GSSC families will be asked to help across roles such as:
timekeeping
set-up and pack-down
marshalling
catering
raffles
medal presentation
officials and technical roles
general carnival support.
Not everyone needs to know how to officiate or run a meet. There are plenty of straightforward jobs, and we’ll communicate rosters and arrangements to members before the day.
The Great Southern Open is one of the best opportunities we have to show visiting swimmers and families what GSSC is about. It is also the clubs biggest annual fundraiser.
QUESTIONS?
CARNIVAL DIRECTOR
Louise Hampel · GSSC President
For questions about the Great Southern Open, Come & Try participation or event arrangements:
president@greatsouthernswimming.org.au
SEE YOU IN STRATHALBYN.
Saturday 5 December 2026
Long-course racing. Plenty of medals. A great day with the swimming community.