Sam Short's Small Leap into Ocean Swimming: A Preview of Australia's 2032 Success
Sam Short, already a versatile Australian swimmer, is set to take on a new challenge in 2026. With a world championship medal under his belt for distances ranging from 4x200 meters relay to 1,500m in the pool, Short is now aiming to conquer the open water swimming scene. He will be competing in the Australian Open Water Swimming championships at Koombana Bay in Bunbury, Western Australia, where he will race in the 10-kilometer, 5km, and 3km knockout events.
This move is part of a strategic plan that could lead to even more swimming success in Brisbane 2032. Short is no stranger to open water swimming, having grown up in the surf along the Sunshine Coast. His loping style is synonymous with his surf swimming background, and he recently won the famous Lorne Pier to Pub race in Victoria. However, the battle of open water swimming is a significant change from the pool, not least because swimmers need to feed mid-race.
Short acknowledges the differences, saying, "I've actually never done feeding before in a race. I did a little bit of practice yesterday to get my head around it." He also highlights the need to swim with the ocean and be aware of one's surroundings, as swimming off course can lead to unnecessary extra distance.
The 3km knockout event, which will feature at the Australian championships for the first time, is a tactical and strategic competition. It was inspired by the Rei e Rainha do Mar event in Rio de Janeiro, and was introduced to open water swimming by Fernando Possenti, Australia's open water coach. The event features a 1,500m swim, followed by elimination rounds, with the last remaining swimmers completing a 500m sprint for victory.
Short is excited to try the new event, saying, "I loved watching it at Worlds in Singapore this year. I was watching on the telly. So I'm very keen to give it a crack myself." Possenti believes that the event could be a secret weapon for Australia, as it opens up another avenue for distance swimmers to claim a medal.
Looking ahead to 2032, Australia's brightest swimming talents will not only be dreaming of competing in a home Olympics, but also preparing for it. Possenti thinks that the 4x1,500m relay, which is being explored by Swimming Australia as an option for inclusion in the 2032 Games, could be a game-changer. With shorter distances, it opens up opportunities for Australia's distance swimmers to claim medals, and Possenti believes that Australia already has a strong team, but adding pool swimmers could bring even more success.
Short is also excited about the prospect, saying, "We have such a rich history in 1,500m, 400m, all those sort of distances. We've got so much dominance over the years in those events, so I think with those events introduced [to the Olympics], I think it'll be more incentive for young athletes to chase those targets." He adds, "It's a lot better than 10K. That's like an equivalent to a marathon, as you said, so that's very full on. But 100 percent, I think Australia would do pretty well in it as well." Short and Possenti are both optimistic about Australia's future in swimming, and the potential for success in Brisbane 2032.
