The former Singleton Swimming Club member dropped by Singleton pool on Sunday to support local swimmers who were contesting the Winter Short Course Qualifying Carnival.

She is now training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and says the past six months have been her most challenging as she contemplated her future.

She underwent shoulder surgery four months ago to repair loose ligaments and has just got back in the pool for some light training.

She is only swimming one session a day of between five and six kilometers and says she is feeling great.

“My shoulder is tight and I am really enjoying being back in the pool,” Stephanie said.

She admits she was devastated when told the surgery was necessary.

The timing could not have been worse.

Her training was geared up to peak for the Beijing Olympic trials and she was dreaming of an Olympic selection.

The surgery put an end to all of that and there were times when Stephanie almost gave up.

“But then I would think, it is not that far to the next one, four years isn’t that long to wait when it is something I really want to do, something I have wanted to do all my life,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie competes in backstroke and freestyle events.

She was in Singleton at the weekend to attend a family christening and took the opportunity to encourage her former Singleton team contesting the Winter Short Course Qualifying Carnival at her old pool on Sunday.

Her attendance was appreciated by the young swimmers, many of whom took the opportunity to get Stephanie’s autograph and pick up a few tips.

Her number one tip: Follow your dreams.