Peyton List’s New Movie ‘Swimming for Gold’ Is Now Available to Stream

Peyton List stars in the young adult drama Swimming for Gold as Claire Carpenter, a 17-year-old elite swimmer sent to Australia to coach a boys’ swimming team. 

The film, directed by Hayley MacFarlane with assistant director Christine Luby, aims to empower its young female audience, featuring three strong female leads. Swimming for Gold tells the story of Claire, whose promising swimming career came to an abrupt halt after a jet ski accident resulted in a secret fear of water. Claire’s father sends to her Australia to coach a boys’ swimming team, where she is forced to room with long-time rival Mikayla Michales, played by Lauren Esposito. The swimming camp will close if the team loses the next meet, and it’s up to Claire to overcome her fear of water, reconcile her differences with Mikayla, and rediscover her passion. 

“I would describe my character, Claire, in three words: strong, leader, smart,” said List in a behind-the-scenes video posted to the Swimming for Gold official Instagram. “I discovered a lot of similarities between us as the movie went on. She sort of uses humor as a defense mechanism, which I think I tend to do as well. She’s pretty fearless about being herself, which I wish I could have a little bit more of that. I feel like she doesn’t conform for anyone or anything. I admire her.”

Swimming for Gold is director Hayley MacFarlane’s feature film debut, with previous credits including several shorts and reality shows. 

“Swimming For Gold is an inspiring film in a lot of ways,” said MacFarlane in a behind the scenes video posted to the official Swimming For Gold Instagram. “Mainly because we’ve got three lead females. All of them are flawed – we are all flawed as humans, and I think it’s important for young girls to see those flaws and for us to celebrate them.”

The film was shot entirely in Queensland, Australia, which List admits was a bonus of taking on the project. Being the only American in the cast, she became very close with the cast and crew. 

“One of the best parts about filming this movie (besides getting to be in Australia because it is flipping awesome) was meeting these wonderful people,” wrote List in a recent Instagram post. “Could not ask for a more fun but equally hard-working cast and @hayleymacfarlane our director. I hope you guys love it as much as I do.”

Keep an eye out for cameos by accomplished swimmers, as Olympic Gold medallist Susie O’Neill, Australian Paralympic swimmer Ellie Cold, and 19-year-old Ariarne Titmus, who holds three Commonwealth Records and two World Records in freestyle events, appear in the film. 

Swimming For Gold was released on all major digital platforms Monday, August 10th, and will be released in Australian cinemas on September 17th. 

Follow @petytonlist on Instagram to keep up to date on her latest projects.