Barracuda

Episode 1

1996

53 mins

Ambitious young swimmer Danny Kelly wakes before dawn to workout before his first day at the exclusive Blackstone College where he has won a scholarship. With its grand buildings and fancy school uniforms, Blackstone is highly intimidating and worlds away from Danny's previous school. The school swim squad - Wilco, Scooter, Tsitsas and the handsome leader of the gang, Taylor are not keen on integrating Kelly into their team - either inside the classroom, nor the pool. However, after Danny comes a close second to Taylor in training, swimming coach, Frank Torma reminds everyone what is at stake and only four of the five can make the squad for the schoolboy championships. Danny's entire world is changing rapidly. He is thrown into a very privileged setting, yet he grew up in a close knit, hardworking, community of supportive friends and loving family. After finally beating Taylor in the state final, the squad admit to needing Danny to win their relay, however, given the relentless taunts, Danny isn't keen to help them reach their goals. They've not only insulted him, but also his family. Can Danny rise above it all and prove he's stronger, faster and better than all of them in the place it really matters - the swimming pool.