Auckland Short Course Champs

This is a fun meet that is suitable for everyone of every level. It would be great to get a large number of us attending, have a good time having a few races each and then head off somewhere for somewhere to eat and have a bit of a social time.

This event is on the 18th May so pencil it in your diary. 

Here is the link to the entry form:
http://www.nzmastersswimming.org.nz/event/80/Auckland-Short-Course-Championships

Sand to Surf; Freestyle Clinic Dates Set

Sand To Surf
As we have come to expect our swimmers covered themselves in glory at the Mount Maunganui State Ocean Swim. Competition was very stiff indeed and a top 10 finish was not to be sneezed at. Most of our swimmers achieved this and top performer was Avy Judelson who came home with a win in her age group.

Thanks Giles for sending this photo:

Freestyle Clinic

You've been asking for it and here it is. The dates have been set and I will be running the freestyle clinic over 5 weeks, 1 hour each session, in the coaching lane on Monday evenings (Tony will still be available for video etc during this time). You need to sign up for it (see below). Here are the dates:
Monday 6th April, 15th April, 22nd April, 29th April and 5th May

What will be covered?
Session One: Body position, kick - the foundations of swimming are laid right here.
Session Two: Arms - these are a swimmers oars, are you using them to best advantage?
Session Three: Arms (Advanced) - Early Vertical Forearm (EVF). What is it, why do it, and now the how. A series of progressions to help you achieve EVF and dramatically improve your speed.
Session Four: Breathing and Timing - The glue that binds it together. The finer details that turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.
Session Five: Individualised stroke correction - each swimmer will be given one or two personalised key drills that they should do during training to help them improve their freestyle.
Sign up. So I have an idea of numbers please let me know by 30th March if you plan to attend.

More Picnic Photos

Sea Swim Results, Club T-shirts

Handicapped Sea Swim
After all the horrible weather of last summer, the weather gods were smiling this year and played nice. It was a little breezy but sunny and warm. A great time was had by all.

27 swimmers took part in all which is a magnificent turnout and there were at least 3 times as many again on the bank looking on and enjoying an evening at the beach. Here are the results:

2 km - 1st-Lapo Nustrini,  2nd- Tony Shacklock, 3rd Ron Tomlinson.
Then in order Pat Castles, Dawn Walker, Adam Jaidin, Avy Judelson, Giles Walker, David Donaldson, Vince Kirrane, Deryn McGregor, Angela Oliver, Liz Hayes, Mike Harrison, Mike Wansink, Mike Williams,  Heather Legg.
1 km - 1st Barry Cribbens, 2nd Jeannie Smith, 3rd Barry Davies.
Then in order Carolyn Rohm, Christine Penney, Denise Munday, Amy McCauley, Fiona Grigg,Julie Devonshire, Diane Lane.

Congratulations to Barry and Lapo on their wins - well done.

A big thanks to all the helpers on the day - these events don't go ahead without you. So thanks to our helpers on the water who kept our swimmers safe, to our sausage sizzler who kept us fed, to the people who set up tables etc and those who helped figure out how to put up the gazebo (we know now, it will go up in a jiffy next time) and to everyone who bought all that delicious food.

Giles has sent some photo's so here they are:

Club T-Shirts 
We have 5 club T-shirts left to sell at $10 each, Mens 1 each M,L,XL and Womens 2 large, see Mike W if you want one. If there is huge demand we will look at placing an order.

Club Night Results Out, Photos

Club night results and records have now been posted. It was a successful night with 23 swimmers in attendance and 15 new records set - 10 for the men and 5 for the women.

Both awards were also presented. The wooden spoon went to John Manning. This was no surprise. He needs some lessons on how to dress himself after being spotted wearing his togs inside out. Yes John, the seams go on the insides.

Swimmer of the month went to Pat Castles. Pat, as everyone knows has had to endure some major heart surgery. While this is no mean feat for anyone, Pat has done this not only with amazing courage but also his trademark good humour. A worthy recipient if ever there was one.

Thanks to Shirley we have some photo's from the Rangitoto swim (below) and Giles also sent this one of Tony in from (I think) the Kohi swim series.

March Birthdays, Rangitoto Results

March Babies
March babies are a little thin on the ground but that makes their birthdays no less special. Here are our club members blowing out candles this month:
Bronwyn Dent, Jason Grant, Angela Oliver, Grant Sykes and Mike Williams. Many happy's on your big days.

Rangi Report
We've had a glorious summer with day after day of cloudless skies and never-ending sunshine. Some parts of the country are officially in drought. So perhaps it was sod's law that the weather chose to completely close in and rain quite hard right at the moment when this landmark 4.6 km open water swim was about to start.

Spectators on the St Helier's side could only look in the direction that they knew Rangitoto Island to be in and wonder if the race was starting on time or if it was starting at all. Swimmers at the start line could see...well, nothing. The race got underway but conditions were not conducive to fast times.

South City Masters were well represented with about 12 swimmers taking part in this legendary swim. We don't have everyone's results but we did have 6 swimmers finish in the top 5 of the men's and women's Masters Wetsuit table, see below:

Giles Walker - 1st Masters Wetsuit
Elliott Crawford - 2nd Masters Wetsuit
Vince Kirrane - 5th Masters Wetsuit

Dawn Walker - 1st Masters Wetsuit
Avy Judelson - 2nd Masters Wetsuit
Angela Oliver - 3rd Masters Wetsuit

How's that - 1st and 1st to husband wife team Giles and Dawn Walker, woop woop.

Kohi Sea Swims - V For Victory; BBQ on 10th

Kohi Sea Swims
While club victory is in sight it is far from secure and Manukau is nipping at our heels. This is a call to arms so.....

Hear ye hear ye!

If you are able at all to make the Thursday night swims at Kohi Beach then please make the effort to go. There are only 2 swims left and every point we earn will help us win the coveted club title. The longer swims earn more points than the shorter ones so if you've been toying with the idea of stepping up a distance now is the time. Also, remember to register for the swim as a member of South City Masters.

Beach Swim and Family BBQ & Picnic
If you haven't filled in a form for this yet then you need to get onto this. On Sunday 10th March we are having handicapped 1km and 2km races with wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions. Convene at Little Bucks at 5.30pm and racing starts at 6pm sharp.

After racing there will be a short prizegiving and then a picnic. The club is supplying meat and all you have to bring is a salad or dessert to share. Ezy pzy.

However, (there's always a 'but' isn't there?) for catering you need to fill out one of the forms that have been at the club. If you just show up on the day there may not be a sausage for you.

Race Night
Race night is on this 6th March. Events are 25m Br or Free, 50 Free, 100 Back, 100 IM or Free.