In the girls' 16 and under 400m freestyle relay, the first two teams finished inside the previous state record. Both were from Launceston Aquatic Club.

And the powerhouse team of Fraser Sutton, 15, Joseph Cockburn, 15, Henry Shepherd, 15, and Ethann Best, 16, from South Esk, set provisional state records in both the 16 and under 400m freestyle and medley relays, according to club president Jayne Shepherd.

The team's freestyle time was 3:55.50, taking more than four seconds off the record that Best, Cockburn, Shepherd and Matthew Howard had set the previous year.

In the girls' event, the LAC A team of Brooke Cairns, 15, Chelsea Savage, 13, Mackenzie French, 13, and Chelsea Ford, 15, won gold in 4:29.54.

LAC's silver medal-winning team of Dawson Howell, 14, Alayna MacKirdy, 12, Amy Muldoon, 12, and Jade Nichols, 13, swam 4:34.78.

The previous record of 4:35.27 was set in February last year by South Esk's Georgia Arnold, Annabella Skipper, Isabele Rush and Alexandra Spillane.

LAC coach Andrew Goetz modestly described his teams' performances as "a fluke".

"We are focussing on making the club better and rebuilding from the bottom up," he said.

"But we have a really good group of 12 to 15-year- old girls, so it was a fantastic surprise."

In the final medal tally from the state titles, Hobart Aquatic won 41 gold, 13 silver and 19 bronze for a total of 73; South Esk 18 gold, 36 silver and 18 bronze (72); and Riverside Aquatic 12 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze (35). They were followed by HC Swim Club with a total of 28, LAC 14, Cradle Coast 11, Burnie 10 and Sandy Bay 2.

Hill honoured

THE outstanding contribution of coach Rex Hill has been recognised with life membership of Swimming Tasmania.

Hill, 70, of Devonport, is the first person from the North West to receive the honour, and only the third coach.

He started his coaching career in New Zealand and joined the Devonport City club in November 1986. That club became Cradle Coast four years ago.

Hill's daughter, Paula, was an exceptional swimmer. A number of her state records, from the 1980s, still stand.

Paula has the distinction of being the only swimmer to win an open Tasmanian title (in the 50m freestyle in 1987) while 11 years old.

Hill Sr recalled: "At the time, they couldn't find another 11-year-old who had won an open title in any sport."

The dynasty continues. Paula Hill's daughter, Demi Byrne, 15, of Perth, Western Australia, competes at national swimming events.

The president of Swimming Tasmania, Susan Cure, said that Hill's name had become synonymous with all aspects of the sport from learn-to-swim to state and national competitions.

"He has not only provided outstanding service to the swimming community in general but in particular to that of the North West Coast," Cure told a packed Launceston Aquatic Centre crowd at the state sprint and relay titles at the weekend.

Hill responded: "It has been a pleasure over the years, and this is an honour."

The previous two coaches to receive life memberships were Chris Wedd, of Hobart Aquatic, and Margaret Neal, of Sandy Bay, both in 2010.

Fun night

LAUNCESTON Aquatic swimmers were the guests at Riverside Aquatic's weekly club night event at the Riverside pool on Tuesday. More than 50 swimmers took part in a fun night of races.

LAC president Kevin French welcomed the initiative and said it provided a friendly atmosphere in which younger swimmers could try competitive swimming for the first time.

Dolphin day

A JUNIOR Dolphins carnival, with races for six to 13 year olds new to competitive swimming, takes place at the Launceston Aquatic Centre on Sunday, February 21, from 4pm to 6pm. The cost is $10 and swimmers can register on the day.