Ocean Swims 2011/2012 Are Underway

I couldn't convince Tony to wear his video camera on his head or attach 'cam on a stick' to his feet but he has kindly sent in this report from the first of the season's harbour swims, the State sponsored 2.9km Harbour Crossing:

A good contingent of SC Masters swam from Bayswater to Wynyard Quarter in the viaduct, along with about 1300 others, and all thought it was a good swim. Early morning conditions were calm and it looked promising for some good times. However, the wind was 15 knots SW by the time we started so we swam against wind-whipped choppy waves. Some found it easier than last year, others not. We can be proud of our first-time Harbour Crosser's Liz H, Angela O & Angela T – they all swam good times. As usual, navigation proved to be the biggest issue, with several of us swimming too far west, probably compensating for swimming too far east last time!

Wynyard Quarter was a much better place to finish. It was great to swim the extra 100 m inside the viaduct basin with the crowds watching on, and getting out of the water was easier on the gentle steps up to the finish gantry. There was plenty of space for greeting arriving swimmers and exchanging war stories. We walked the short distance to the fish market for the prize giving and it proved to be a great venue. Unfortunately neither Dave nor Liz won a wetsuit.

The official times are:

Gustav E – 49:53 (7th out of 105 in 35-39 age group)
Dave D – 50:15 (3rd out of 86 in 50-54 men’s age group)
Liz H – 55:15 (6th out of 43 in 40-44 age group)
Pat C – 57:53 (5th out of 22 in 60-64 age group)
Tony S – 1:00:57 (31st out of 86 in 50-54 age group)
Angela O – 1:03:39 (13th out of 43 in 45-49 age group)
Angela T – 1:05:34 (25th out of 53 in 25-29 age group, but she was wetsuit-less, almost naked, au naturelle) ((Tony, can you please explain? - Ed))
Dave W – 1:05:46 (26th out of 53 in 55-59 age group)
Audrey D (Manukau Masters) – 53:03 (7th out of 53 in 25-29 age group, also without wetsuit)

The non-wetsuit results will be published on Monday. ((Ed - and they were. Angela T was officially placed 3rd in her non-wetsuit division. Well done)).

Thanks Tony, good work.