By JARROD POTTER
BACK on the winner’s list following a testing year in and out of the pool, Tooradin’s Josh Beaver has put his name back on the swimming map with a pair of wins at the Victorian Open Short Course Championships.
Beaver, 20, had a horror year following his third place finish in the 200m backstroke at the Australian Swimming Championships in 2012 – with hip and stomach injuries keeping him out of the pool.
Couple his injuries with some personal problems and Beaver was close to pulling the pin on his swimming altogether – despite being well in the mix for Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games selections in upcoming years.
“Basically, it’s all gone down hill,” Beaver said.
“Had a bit of sickness, then got injured, obviously, and to be able to get through little personal issues and now I’m getting back up on board and good to be back in the elite swimming environment.”
Registering his first personal best in a year, the Casey TigerSharks swimmer said the relief to get back to the top of his form is an encouraging sign heading into the start of the summer season.
“It’s good to be back,” Beaver said.
“It’s just good to be back swimming fast short course times to start off this point of the season and get quicker from here for the rest of the season.
“It’s been a long process – been a whole year since I did a PB – so it’s good to get back up around my lifetime best.”
Beaver’s coach, Ben Hiddlestone, said it was tough to get Beaver through the year, especially with him almost quitting the sport.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see all the issues he’s gone through and he was close to quitting,” Hiddlestone said.
“He’s been to the point where he’s said ‘coach, that’s it, I’m done’.
“It wasn’t swimming – it was life that was getting him down – we’ve been able to sort out a lot of that and swimming is enjoyable again – swimming is a passion again.
“If the results come he’ll get the rewards he deserves by sticking it out for so long.”
Those results have arrived – Beaver claimed gold in the 100 metre backstroke, in 52.29 and backed it up with gold in the 200m backstroke – a 1.54.90 – and silver in the 50m backstroke.
He attributes this most recent success on his support network – especially his girlfriend, Ashleigh, and his coach – for their crucial help in keeping him on track and focused on future success.
“Yeah, definitely – I’ve got really good support I think that’s been a really important thing the past six months my girlfriend, Ashleigh, has been really supportive and Ben as well,” Beaver said.
“Special thanks to Ben – he’s been more than a coach – especially over the past few months it’s been a bit difficult but he’s been really good to have him on board.”
Beaver heads to the National Open Short Course Championships in Sydney from 23-25 August.
