Local swimming stars set to make waves on national stage
Imogen Midgley & Adam Fruscalzo will head to Bunbury, Western Australia, for the 2026 Swimming Australia Open Water Championships.
The Nambour Piranhas Amateur Swimming Club is making a splash on the national scene, with two of its rising talents preparing to compete among Australia’s best. In January, club members Imogen and Adam will head to Bunbury, Western Australia, for the 2026 Swimming Australia Open Water Championships.
The small Sunshine Coast club led by coach Andy Muller is punching above its weight. Both swimmers will tackle the gruelling 5km open water event, a test of endurance and skill that attracts elite competitors from across the country. Adam enters the championships in top form, having recently claimed the Queensland State Title in the 13-year boys’ 5km category, cementing his reputation as one of the state’s brightest prospects.
Imogen also impressed at the state level, finishing 12th overall, and is eager to take her performance to the next stage. Coach Muller praised the duo’s commitment.
“For a small club like ours, this is huge,” he said. “Adam and Imogen have worked incredibly hard, and to see them competing at a national level is a proud moment for the entire Piranhas community.”
Qualifying for the national championships has required an extraordinary level of commitment. The pair’s training combines endurance, strength, power and technical precision, along with mental discipline, consistency and recovery strategies. All this while balancing the demands of high school and maintaining a social life.
Both swimmers have set clear goals and worked tirelessly toward them, supported by the entire Piranhas community. Their journey is a testament to the power of hard work and team spirit.
As they prepare to represent The Nambour Piranhas on the national stage, the club is rallying behind them. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover travel and competition costs. Adam and Imogen said they were looking forward to representing their club and their town at the championships. To donate go to www.gofundme.com and search “open water nationals”
Adam Fruscalzo
Imogen Midgley