Wow, They're Coming Thick and Fast. I Can't Keep Up!!!

Look at all these swimming events coming up that you can enter, if you went in all of them you would be a professional athlete. If you want to check on what is coming up you can always go the the NZ Masters Swimming web site at www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz and you will find all kinds of stuff there. So here is what is on the horizon:
Hamilton Masters Mid Winter Christmas Meet on 6th August. Entries closed on 25th July but it's not too late to be a cheerleader (bring your own pompoms).
Manukau Masters Skins on 20th August. Fun for those who love sprints. Get your name, $10 and what strokes you want to swim to Angela T by 10 August to be in on the bulk entry.
North Island Short Course Champs, Levin on 2nd and 3rd September. Entries close on 12th August. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters in each age group only (not for individual events) and will be awarded at the function on Saturday night. Follow this link for an entry form: http://www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz/view-all-events/details/25 
The Fulton Cup on 4th September. Entries close on 26 August and entry forms are pool side when you go to training. This is a club competition with points awarded and the club with the most points winning the trophy. Each swimmer, no matter their ability earns at least one point per event depending on placing.
Taupo Masters Brown Trout Spring Fling on 15th October. Entries close on 3rd October. Follow this link to find an entry form: http://www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz/view-all-events/details/29 
2012 World Masters Champs, Riccione, Italy from 7th to 17th June, 2012 (includes training days, competition days and closing ceremony as well as open water swim day). If you would like to be sent a copy of the programme and the qualifying time standards please contact the blogmaster. To contact the blogmaster, look near the top of the page where it says 'Why A Blog' click on the 'view my complete profile' link and then on the 'email' link.
Open Water Swims The best I can see for those who like donning wetsuits and splashing around for hours without the hindrance of lane ropes is that the State sponsored Ocean Swim Series kicks off with the Auckland Harbour Crossing on 13th November. From memory this isn't the first OWS of the season, just the first one I can see advertised for now. More on open water swims as we get closer to the season and our open water swimmers get more excited.

Ok, so that's enough news for now on the upcoming events. You might want to cross on back to the tech tips page because 'anonymous' has posted in the comments a couple of links to some interesting articles. Scroll to the bottom of the tech tips page; if you can't click on the links simply copy and paste them into your browser. If you want to not be anonymous you can become a 'follower' by scrolling to the bottom of the home page and clicking on the 'join this site' button.

Results & Records of 20th July Race Night Posted

A small but enthusiastic group of swimmers showed for race night on Wednesday. Of the 15 people clad in togs 17 records were set or broken, 9 in the women's and 8 in the men's events. Of the women, Anne Smith was most successful, breaking 3 records and for the men, Mark Clavey and Mark Cowling were battling for honours, breaking 3 records each. So well done to Anne, Mark and Mark.

For a bit of fun, and because there was time, 3 teams were organized into 4 x 50 freestyle relays. Organization was so professional in fact (thanks Mike!) that we had a ladies team, a men's team and a mixed team and they had a set age group.

Go the the Overall Results page to see the times swum and to the records pages to check out the current records.

The next race night is scheduled for Wednesday 3rd August at 7pm. The events will be 25 butterfly, 50 breastroke, 50 backstroke and 100 freestyle.

Upcoming Swimming Meets You Want To Enter

There are a couple of swim meets on the horizon that you want to enter. Here they are:

Hamilton Masters Mid-Winter Meet

This is always loads of fun. This year there is a sit-down dinner afterwards. The meet is on 6th of August and entries close on 25th July so get them in quickly!

To get an entry, coz you're going to want one, follow this link:

http://www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz/view-all-events/details/23 

and then click on the entry form link to download the form.

Manukau Masters Just Skins

Join our friends from down the road for an afternoon of sprint racing. Don't like swimming 1500m? Then this is the swim meet for you. All races are 25m, yep you read that right, 25m, right up your alley, except you might have to do lots of them. Read the flier below to see how it works.

There's always lots of spot prizes and a sausage sizzle too. Entry is only $10. MM Skins is on 20th August and entries close on 14th August. 

For an entry form, follow this link:

http://www.manukaumasters.co.nz/upcoming_events.php# 

then click on the link saying 'details' to download and entry form. Job done!

A Few Reminders

Sorry this is last minute but for those who have forgotten we are back to regular swimming training at Lloyd Elsemore tonight.

July's race night was deferred so it is on this Wednesday 20th at the usual time of 7pm.   Events are 25m Breaststroke, 50m Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 IM or Freestyle.

REMEMBER, The Hamilton Masters Mid-Winter meet is on 6th August. Hamilton always put on a great meet. Entries close on the 25th July so be quick to get your entry in.

On Deck Coaching - Starts August

Many of you will be aware that on Saturday mornings a number of members troop across to Pakuranga College pool for technique coaching from HPK Head Coach Gary Hollywood, and during Gary’s recent absence, Olympic swimmer and HPK coach Jana Korbasova. Over the last couple of years much has been learned and put into practice and we would like now to share the knowledge more widely throughout the club. Tony Shacklock is going to be on deck on the first Monday of each month to help with the more technical aspects of swimming. He’ll be ‘spotting’ but will also be available for those burning questions you’ve been dying to ask. The first date for Coach Tony is Monday 1st August. Having on-deck coaching is a great step for our club.

Pool is Closed, Reopens 18th July. Happy Birthday Diane and Bruce.

Hi All. A quick reminder that this morning's session was the last one at our home pool for a couple of weeks as Lloyd Elsemore is now closed for it's annual maintenance. Other arrangements have been made for training during the 2 week period - see our last 2 postings for details. There will be no poolside charges for this 2 week period should you take advantage of the swimming on offer at Papatoetoe and Manurewa. Hooray, everyone loves a freebie but you need to be in to win.

Normal swimming (whatever that is) resumes at Lloyd Elsemore on Monday 18th at 7pm.

Not to be outdone on the news front, a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Diane Keen and Bruce Bell who are both celebrating birthdays in the month of July. Ohhhhh, isn't that nice.