After battling the freezing weather and icy wind of two weeks ago, the team was greeted by brilliant sunshine and temperatures of 35 degrees at Warracknabeal.

Although it was a smaller team who made the trip north, after placing third at their last meet, the Water Rats were out to prove they mean business.

Many of the team members again improved on their previous results and recorded new personal bests.

Emily Farmer cruised effortlessly through her events placing first in all races.

Charlotte Walker was reaching for the edge and came second in both her 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle, while big sister Caitlin also beat her 50 metre backstroke time by a huge three seconds.

Both Layla Dale and Havana Madex improved their times in backstroke, swimming personal bests and Navasha Maddex swam a personal best in her freestyle.

Ryan Jamieson had a fantastic day placing third in his backstroke and fourth in all his other events. He also recorded a personal best in his freestyle.

Leroy Bell made a clean sweep of his events placing third in them all and Luke McInnes recorded personal bests in his backstroke, placing second in both events and first in the 17 and open 50m freestyle by the narrowest of margins.

There was some impressive results in the relays too, particularly as many younger swimmers were competing in older age groups to make up teams.

The 10 and under mixed freestyle relay team celebrated victory when they placed first and the open mixed freestyle relay finished in a 'splashing' second place.

The team again finished the day with an overall third placing, behind Horsham and Stawell who were first and second respectively.

With the Ararat Swim Club made up of so many young members, team coaches Emily Farmer and Steve Maddex were very pleased with the results.

"They are a fantastic group of children who are really supportive of each other and it is terrific to see their results improving with each meet," Ms Farmer said.

The Ararat Swim Club heads into the Christmas break with some exciting news having secured the sponsorship of Christians Bus Co. The next swim meet will be held at Donald on January 31.

Podium results for Ararat Swim Club members

Leroy Bell: 50m backstroke (3rd), 50m freestyle (3rd), 50m breastroke (3rd); Emily Farmer: 200m individual medley (1st), 50m butterfly (1st), 200m freestyle (1st), 50m freestyle (1st), 50m breastroke (1st), 100m breastroke (1st); Ryan Jamieson: 50m backstroke (3rd); Luke McInnes: 100m backstroke (2nd), 50m backstroke (2nd), 50m freestyle (1st), 100m freestyle (3rd), 50m breastroke (2rd); Caitlin Walker: 50m backstroke (3rd); Charlotte Walker: 50m backstroke (2nd), 50m freestyle (2nd); Relay: mixed 10 and under 200m freestyle (1st), mixed open 200m freestyle (2nd).