50
Years
MSQ · 1976 · 2026
Three days of pool racing
·
One Sunday Sealink Ship to Shore
MSQ turns 50
Join us from Thursday 16 July to Saturday 18 July 2026 at the Long Tan Memorial Pool for three days of long course racing, followed by the iconic Sealink Ship to Shore open water swim hosted by TOWSA on Sunday 19 July.
This special event forms part of Masters Swimming Queensland's 50th anniversary celebrations, proudly recognising our Swimming for Life philosophy. The long course meet features a full program of events from 50m to 800m, along with a strong relay offering to bring clubs together.
Whether you're chasing medals, aiming for personal bests, or simply love the thrill of competition, all MSQ members are welcome. Enjoy racing with accurate automatic officiating (AOE) timing in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.
After three days in the pool, take it to the ocean. The iconic Sealink Ship to Shore open water swim is run by the Townsville Open Water Swimming Association along The Strand, with the after-party at The Surf Club. Two distances on offer: 1.5 km and 3 km. Pool entries do not include the OWS. A separate registration link will be published closer to the date.
Open to MSQ and other MSA-affiliated club members. International Masters swimmers welcome. Contact the Director of Recording for entry instructions.
Age as at 31 December 2026. Minimum age 18 years on day one of competition. Relay team age is the sum of all four members' ages in whole years.
MC swimmers welcome and seeded in the overall field. Medals awarded by age, gender and classification. Provide your classification before Day 1 if not already on file.
Club teams only, no composites. All four swimmers must be entered in at least one individual event. Mixed relays: two men, two women, any order.
Sunday morning, the championships head to the ocean. The Sealink Ship to Shore is run by the Townsville Open Water Swimming Association: a separate registration, a separate vibe, and the perfect finish to a winter's racing in the tropics.
Know your event, heat and lane. Don't enter marshaling beyond your event window. The Marshal will direct heats to the blocks; the Check-Starter does a name and lane check.
Heats run fastest to slowest, all events as timed finals. Move quickly to the lane rope after your heat and exit when the next race is underway.
Automatic Officiating Equipment in use. Follow live on Meet Mobile. Results posted to the MSA Portal and the MSQ website after the meet.
Paddles aren't permitted at any point, including warm-up and swim-down. Watches not in warm-up. Inclusive swimwear modifications need Referee approval before your first event.
World, MSA and Queensland records recognised pending ratification. World Aquatics Masters Top Ten performances acknowledged.
Protests in writing on the official form to the Meet Director within 30 minutes of provisional results. $50 fee, returned if upheld.
Racing's Done
Welcome Function
Catch up with fellow swimmers and supporters over canapes while the sun goes down on Townsville's harbour. Cash bar on site.
Presentation & Masquerade Ball
Two-course alternate-drop dinner, live entertainment, and presentation of all the meet awards. Cash bar. Limited tickets.
OWS Presentations & After Party
Wind down with uninterrupted views of The Strand. Ship to Shore presentations as soon as the last swimmer's in. Food and drinks available to purchase.