Log In
Getting To Know You
05/12/2017
Name: Carol Chenco
Age: 61
How long have you been a member of the Dolphins?
11 years
Where did you grow up?
In Nunawading, east of Melbourne.
Have you been a member of a club or team before joining the Dolphins?
I haven’t been a member of another swimming club. I have belonged to a couple of different squash clubs over the years but gave up squash as it was too taxing on my joints.
Which days or evenings do you train?
I now train 3 days per week: with the Aquanauts on Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday morning with the Dolphins.
Do you prefer to train with the club or solo?
I much prefer to train with the club. I enjoy pushing myself when we are in a group and have a program set by the coach.
What lane do you usually swim in?
I swim in the second slowest lane or 3rd fastest – whatever way you prefer to term it!
What do you do for a living? If retired what was your main job?
I am now retired (since October). I have worked as a research officer in aged care research at La Trobe University for the past 8 years. Prior to that I worked in various research jobs once I got my Bachelor of Science at age 40. An earlier career was as a psychiatric nurse and before that a ‘secretary’. Gee, that’s a term you don’t hear these days. Do the younger generation know what a ’secretary’ is?? General dogsbody I’d say!
What is the most exciting place that you have travelled to?
Cuba. My husband Tony and I went there in 2013. It is quite an amazing place and so different to anywhere else I have been. For a start there’s no advertising and no street lighting driving from the airport to the city – scary!
What is your spouse/partners name, and are they club members?
My husband, Tony Chenco, is also a club member. I suggested joining the Dolphins all those 11 years ago and he is just as keen (if not more so) than me!
Do you have children, If so how old are they?
I have 2 sons and the eldest is 31 and the youngest 28. My eldest son Nathan got me into swimming in the first place. He swam as a junior and Tony and I used to go to the club and get involved with his training. We decided to have some swimming lessons ourselves and it wasn’t long after that we joined the Dolphins as we were contemplating open water swimming and thought we needed some regular coaching to improve our swimming. Nathan was quite involved in open water swimming and we thought it would be fun.
Would you ever consider taking part in an interclub event or State/ National event?
I have taken part in many state / national events and also a couple of interclub events. I haven’t swum in any competitions for quite some time though as I’ve had health issues that caused a break in my training.
Have you swum in an open water event?
I have swum in quite a few open water events since 2007. I swam in the Pier to Pub a couple of years ago and have entered again for the swim in January 2018.
Tell us one thing that we don't know about you?
I have battled with small intestinal cancer that was diagnosed in December 2015. I spent most of 2016 enduring chemotherapy and radiotherapy. My oncologist has been happy with my progress and I am confident that the cancer is in check. My doctor believes that being fit helped my toleration of cancer treatment and I put that down to swimming. Although I didn’t swim much last year I am back into it this year and hope to keep up my training into the future. I have a different focus than previously in that I’m not interested in competition now but want to enjoy my training and be as fit as I can be whilst enjoying all the other things life has to offer, including travel!
Who do you most admire at the Dolphins?
I most admire Sue Harbottle. As a former Olympian she has a wealth of knowledge about swimming. She gives a lot of time back to the club in terms of coaching / mentoring, as a committee member and friendship. I find her an inspiring, warm and caring person and she is very encouraging of all the swimmers.
What do you most like about the Dolphins?
I enjoy the camaraderie of the club. I have made quite a few friends at the Dolphins over the years and enjoy the team spirit of the club as well as the opportunity to swim and socialise with an interesting bunch of people.
Who would you most like to beat in a swimming competition?
My husband Tony – and I already have!