Crossword Genius

Wife, healthy swimmer with lots of blubber! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whale

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'swimmer with lots of blubber' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'wife healthy' is the wordplay.
'wife' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'healthy' becomes 'hale' (hale can mean fit and healthy).
'w'+'hale'='WHALE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for whale that I've seen before include "It breathes through a blowhole" , "Mammoth marine mammal" , "monster" , "Largest animal" , "Large marine creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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