Training cancelled tonight (2 March)

Hi all

LEP is unable to stay open this evening (Wed 2nd March) due to too many staff absent isolating at home.

So far, Sunday is still on, but please watch your emails.

Take care

Tony

Hi all

Now that we're all staying home, you'll be wondering what you can do about your swimming. The best you can do is keep yourself healthy and ready for a return to regular training when we are able.

Firstly, below there's some advice on how to reduce the chances you catch Covid-19, even if you're exposed to the virus. I can't vouch for it's authority, but all the advice makes good sense anyway.

Secondly, SwimSmooth (a great on-line swimming resource) are putting together a video series on what to do to maintain (or improve) your mobility and other aspects of swimming fitness while we're unable to swim. The first two posts on this page are the first in a series they'll make so check it from time to time.
http://www.feelforthewater.com/?mc_cid=183db2bcec&mc_eid=4f4588b567


Take care.

South City Masters Swimmers


This is a translation of information from someone who works at Doctor Negrin, the main hospital on the island of Las Palmas, Spain.

“The Chinese now understand the behaviour of the COVID-19 virus thanks to autopsies that they have carried out. This virus is characterised by obstructing respiratory pathways with thick mucus that solidifies and blocks the airways and lungs. So they have discovered that in order to be able to apply a medicine you have to open and unblock these airways so that the treatment can be used to take effect. However, all of this takes a number of days. Their recommendations for what you can do to safeguard yourself are:

1. Drink lots of hot liquids; coffee, soups, teas, warm water. In addition, take a sip of warm water every 20 minutes because this keeps your mouth moist and washes any of the virus that’s entered your mouth into your stomach, where the gastric juices will neutralise it before it can get to the lungs.
2. Gargle with an antiseptic in warm water, like vinegar or salt or lemon every day if possible.
3. The virus attaches itself to hair and clothes. Any detergent or soap kills it, but you must take a bath or shower when you get in from the street. Avoid sitting down anywhere, and go straight to the bathroom or shower. If you cannot wash your clothes daily, hang them in direct sunlight, which also neutralises the virus.
4. Wash metallic surfaces very carefully, because the virus can remain viable on these for up to 9 days. Take note and be vigilant about touching hand rails and door handles, etc. (I guess within your own house as well you can make sure that you are keeping those clean and wiping them down regularly.)
5. Don’t smoke.
6. Wash your hands every 20 minutes using any soap that foams. Do this for 20 seconds and wash your hands thoroughly.
7. Eat fruits and vegetables. Try to elevate your zinc levels, not just your vitamin C levels.
8. Animals do not spread the virus to humans. This is person to person transmission.
9. Try to avoid getting the common flu (I guess because this just already weakens the system) and try to avoid eating and drinking cold things.
10. If you feel any discomfort in your throat, or a sore throat coming on, attack it immediately using the above methods. The virus enters the system this way and remains for 3 or 4 days in the throat before it passes into the lungs.”

Lloyd Elmore Pool closure

You will likely have heard that Auckland City Council have decided to close all of their pool facilities to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading. At the moment it is just for two weeks, but we will have to watch for updates for clarity beyond that.

There is no Masters training from now, until further notice.

It's disappointing, but clearly in the interests of public health.

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
South City Masters Swimmers

Annual General Meeting

Hi all

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th March 2020, at LEP poolside. We will run normal training afterwards.

This year NZ Masters have increased the annual subscription cost, so the committee will be proposing to pass that increase on to our members, which would make the new fee $70 per year.

Please consider being nominated for the committee, or even one of the officers. We're always looking for new input and it's not a lot of work. Avy (and other committee members) will have nomination forms. Don't be shy.

Please attend the AGM if you can, the more the merrier.

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
Secretary

South City Masters Swimmers

Annual Sea Swim and Barbecue

Hi all

It's finally time...

Our annual Sea Swim and Barbecue is on Sunday 15th March. The swim briefing will be at 12:00 midday, the swim at 12:300 pm and the barbecue after that.

The weather will be great, so get your entry in soon! Ask Avy or Lapo for a notice and entry form.

If you don't want to swim, then come and support the swimmers, and get a feed afterwards. Put your name on the sign-up sheet (see Lapo or Avy) so we know how many bangers to get.

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
South City Masters Swimmers

No Training Anniversary Day

Hi all

It's Auckland Anniversary Day this Monday so LEP will be closing earlier than usual. Consequently, we will be no training on Monday evening 27th January.

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
South City Masters Swimmers

Christmas Training

Hi all

Here's the training plan for the Christmas / New Year period.

Sun 22 Dec - Training as usual

Mon 23 Dec - Training as usual

Wed 25 Dec - No Training

Sun 29 Dec - Training as usual

Mon 30 Dec - No Training

Wed 1 Jan - No Training

Sun 5 Jan - Training as usual from here on.

The committee wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy (Prosperous?) New Year!

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
South City Masters Swimmers

Xmas Brunch - Change of venue

Our Xmas Brunch will now be at Columbus Coffee on Pakuranga Road (between Sir Lloyd Drive and Pigeon Mountain Road, next to Carls Junior).

Despite our best laid plans the Homestead Cafe can't take us all. See you on Sunday at Columbus.

Sunday 8th December ~9:30 am.

Columbus Coffee

490 Pakuranga Road.

Labour Weekend Training

This weekend is Labour Weekend and Monday 28th October is a public holiday. We are able to swim on Sunday, but not Monday.

Sunday 27th Oct - training as usual.

Monday 28th Oct - no training.

Enjoy the three-day weekend!

Swim fees - an alternative

Hi all

Your committee has been looking for ways to make it easier for our members to pay their swim so we don't have so many forget. You now have two ways of paying: the existing 10-swim cards or by monthly direct credit to our bank account.

Monthly Payment Option

• Monthly payment: $26 (= $312 annually.)
• Direct credit to South City Masters on the 1st of every month, starting November.
• The amount has been calculated to cover our pool hire costs with the average attendance we get at training. (Most swim a bit more than twice a week, so those who regularly swim more will pay less than the current $3 per swim.)
• Payments continue over breaks from swimming, e.g. holidays & sickness. Think of it as an annual fee, paid monthly.
• Choose this option by starting your monthly payments – we’ll see your payment in our account.

10-swim Card Option

• Direct credit $30 per card to South City Masters.
• Ask a committee member for a card(s).
• Every time you swim, mark one swim off your card.

Other Details

• Race nights will now require a swim fee. It’s too hard to account for when some are paying monthly. We still hire the pool and provide either programmes or organise relays.

Our bank account details are:
Acc Name: South City Master Swimmers
Acc Num: 12-3089-0087168-00
Reference: “Monthly” (for the monthly fee), or “Card” for 10-swim cards.

Background
Currently we pay our swim fees by purchasing a 10-swim card and marking off one swim each time you swim. However, we are finding that the number of cards sold falls well short of the number of swimmers at training. Clearly our memories are not as good as we had hoped.
We recognise that one of the conveniences we offer is that you need only pay for the swimming you do. For that reason the existing system of 10-swim cards will still work for those not choosing the monthly payment system.

Please talk to any of the committee if you have questions.

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
Secretary
South City Masters Swimmers