Trevor Wuth receiving a Chief Minister’s Award for Outstanding Long Service in 2013 for his many years of service to the swimming community. Photo: Swimming ACT.
I distinctly remember standing up behind the seating at the AIS pool during the ACT Schools Championships many years ago. I was there to watch my son compete and I was chatting with friends who were also there to watch their kids’ races.
My son was nine years of age at the time, and he was about to get on the blocks for the 50-metre butterfly event.
Around the pool were the usual officials from Swimming ACT, all undertaking the often thankless tasks associated with running a successful qualifying swim meet.
On the other side of the pool was a familiar figure, Trevor Wuth. He was officiating as a judge of stroke.
For the uninitiated, a judge of stroke walks along the side of the pool and watches competitors to check that they are correctly applying the rules associated with the relevant stroke. This is not a very pleasant task as swimmers who are not doing the stroke correctly are disqualified. It’s a good lesson for swimmers, particularly young ones, and it makes the race fair for all competitors.
As I watched my son, I could see his little feet flapping away to add some extra propulsion to his butterfly. This is not part of the stroke. It was his own invention as he found he could go faster with flapping feet. It was only every now and again, but I knew it would be enough for a disqualification. At nine, it’s all about getting in, having a go and learning. This was a learning opportunity.
And on the other side of the pool, Trevor had clearly identified those flapping feet.
As I later walked past Trevor, he smiled and we compared our count on how many times my son’s feet broke into a freestyle flutter. From my vantage point, I’d counted seven. Trevor said that he was willing to let one or two small flutters go, but he’d counted five.
We had a laugh together.
This memory came to mind when I learned that Trevor had passed away. He was always helping at the pool, taking on whatever task was required to aid a successful swim meet.
He also helped train many people who were willing to take on official duties around the pool.
Trevor spent more than 30 years volunteering for his club, the Burley Griffin Swim Club, and he also volunteered for Swimming ACT and School Sport ACT events.
His valuable involvement was recognised when he was made a life member of Swimming ACT. He also received a Chief Minister’s Award for Outstanding Long Service in 2013 for his years of service to the swimming community.
Trevor’s partner, Lorraine, remains a mainstay of Swimming ACT. Together, they have contributed to a community of swimmers that spans many, many decades.
All those involved in the ACT swimming community will miss him.
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