WONTHAGGI stand-up comedian, Marcus Ryan, who is trying to complete a 20km swim in the local swimming pool, as a fundraiser and awareness initiative for ReachOut Australia, identified a fundamental problem with his commendable effort when speaking on ABC Gippsland Radio last week.

Mr Ryan discovered, or believed he had found out, that the old Wonthaggi Swimming Pool isn’t actually 25 metres long.

As a result, he cast doubts over any record times recorded during swimming competitions, and also any distances covered at swimming club training and by individuals, boasting to friends that they had completed various distances.

“I looked at my watch after completing what I thought was a certain distance and found that I hadn’t gone as far as I thought,” he told the ABC, or words to that affect.

But, the Sentinel-Times went out this week and tested the claim, in the presence of YMCA staff, with a tape measure, and found that the pool is indeed 25 metres long, wall to wall, and that any records or distances completed stand.

One can only imagine that the new GPS watch Marcus noted on social media that he purchased for the swim isn’t recording the full distance, likely due to Marcus recently adding a tumble turn (of sorts) to his swimming repertoire.

That is, while his feet, kicking off the wall at both ends, are travelling the full 25 metre distance, the watch on his wrist is not.

YMCA staff confirmed this was the likely explanation.

“It’s definitely 25 metres long,” they told the Sentinel-Times.

So, it’s a win-win. Mr Ryan is covering the full 25 metres with each lap towards his 20km goal, and the pool has been confirmed as 25 metres long.

It doesn’t take away from the fact that the pool at Wonthaggi, as much-loved as it has been over the years, has long-since passed its use-by date and the burgeoning town of Wonthaggi, soon to host another 5000 houses, needs a modern aquatic centre.

The Wonthaggi Amateur Basketball Association has demonstrated what it has been able to do, lifting participation rates at the new Bass Coast Community Stadium, and a proper aquatic centre would do likewise, while also accommodating exercise for seniors and other needed services.

Marcus’ quest has already raise $1114 towards his original goal of $1000 and has now been extended to $2000. The marathon swim runs through to the end of March.

To make a donation to Marcus Ryan’s ‘Laps for Life’ appeal for ReachOut Australia, go to the following site at: Donate here to Marcus' swim and ReachOut Australia