Wett Ones make a splash, two decades on

SYDNEY: This Saturday night, members of Sydney’s LGBT Masters swim squad, Wett Ones Swimming Club, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their club in style with a grand function at Surry Hill’s White Horse Hotel.

From humble beginnings, the Wett Ones have grown into one of the largest GLBT sporting clubs in Sydney and one of the largest Masters swimming squads in NSW.

In recent years, the club has averaged about 85 members ranging from people in their 20s to people in their 60s, while members of Wett Ones were competed at the Asia Pacific Outgames in Wellington earlier this year.

Wett Ones President, Ryan Bennett, told SX that the diversity of its members was a key factor to the long-running success of the club.  

“Our members have various reasons for being part of the Wett Ones, including fun, fitness, as a challenge to themselves to become better swimmers and to compete in local Masters competitions and/or regional and international GLBT swim competitions such as the Outgames and Gay Games,” Bennett said.

“A special aspect of our club is that we manage to offer something to such a diversity of swimmers.”

The club regularly train at Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour from 6.30pm and on Sundays from 3.30pm-5pm.

Over the warmer months, from October to April, the club also trains on Saturday mornings at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool in the Domain from 10am.

Saturday night’s 20th anniversary function will see guests treated to some fine drinks and canapés as well as some special entertainment, including DJ Annabelle Gaspar, who will be behind the decks for an evening that is expected to be swimming.

Wett Ones Swimming Club 20th anniversary party takes place at White Horse Hotel, Crown Street, Surry Hills on Saturday, November 19 from 7pm. For more information about the club, visit www.wettones.org or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .