The boys are back in town for Aus Open

BREASTSTROKE ace Zac Stubblety-Cook has declared himself fully fit to relaunch on the international stage ahead of the Australian Open at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre starting Monday April 6.

The Olympic silver medallist from Paris was a late withdrawal from the Dolphins team that contested last year’s World Championships after hurting his back but Stubblety-Cook said he was fit and ready to fire ahead of a packed 2026 international schedule that includes Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships.

“It hurt to miss Worlds and it was a bit more disappointing because I would have been competitive but I am 100 per cent now and am back at my best,” Stubblety-Cook said.

“With myself coming back and also Sam (Williamson) also back from injury and swimming fast … throw in Gideon Burns … it’s an exciting time for male breaststrokers in Australia.

“The Australian Open will be good to see where I am at with race structure against the best swimmers here in Australia and at the same pool I raced my first senior meet – which was the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

O’Callaghan, McKeown, Chalmers, Short, Hodge and Patterson.

The names don’t get any bigger as world record holders, Olympic champions, Paralympic gold medallists, and rising stars all hit the water over the next three weeks.

In the biggest month on the Australian swimming calendar, more than 3500 athletes – including athletes from New Zealand, Japan, Guam, India and Norway – will line up across a triple treat of date savers that is expected to drive $15 million into the local economy.

The Easter feast of swimming features:

• Australian MC Age Championships: 4-6 April
• Australian Open: 6-8 April
• Australian Age Championships: 11-18 April

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre has proven itself to be ground zero for the Dolphins and CEO of Experience Gold Coast John Warn said: “This is such a great event for the city … and some of the swimmers could be the ones that we see on the podium and swimming for Australia in Brisbane 2032.”

Minister for Tourism and the Environment Andrew Powell MP said securing major events like the national swimming championships was about delivering real benefits for Queenslanders and backing local communities.

“Events like this mean more visitors in our hotels, more people in our cafes and restaurants, and more work for local businesses right across the Gold Coast,” Minister Powell said.

“They also give young Queenslanders the chance to see the country’s best athletes up close and be inspired to chase their own dreams in the pool.

“That’s why the Crisafulli Government is focused on bringing more events like this to Queensland, backing jobs and cementing our reputation as the events capital of the country.”

Pictured from left to right: Keira Stephens, Hayley Mackinder, John Warn and Zac Stubblety-Cook.