Another Challenge Meet Done and Dusted

It was quite early for a Sunday morning and there were a few bleary eyed swimmers walking rather slowly through the car park towards the pool but once the whistle blew everyone perked up and it was all on. The racing in this contest is fast and furious as there is only one hour to complete the competition so swimmers have to stay on their toes and be on alert for their next race. For some, there really was no rest as they were in every, or almost every event.

Racing was tight, much tighter than the scoreboard would suggest. By racing's end South City had achieved what they were unable to in 2013 and that was to defeat Manukau in the Challenge. The final score was 217 South City to 150 Manukau. As retainers of the Challenge trophy it is now up to South City to challenge another masters swimming club.

The format of the challenge seems to be working superbly; with a little bit of everything and it's able to be completed in an hour. Any club should be able to complete the competition within their normal training period and so not have to book any additional pool time. So far, it seems that clubs are happy with it and keen to be included.

After the racing was done and dusted the only thing left was to sit down together over the usual Sunday coffee and muffin. The cafe staff were a little stretched but seemed to cope ok (thanks Young for drumming up some extra chairs for us).

South City and Manukau may be rivals in the pool but that is where the rivalry ends; these two clubs are great friends and there is always enjoyable camaraderie between the swimmers. It's no coincidence that during the Kohi Summer Series season we all hang around the same area together.

A big thanks goes to all the club members who officiated at the meet; these things never run without you. You can't all be named individually but you know who you are: starters, marshals, recorders, IOT's, counters, managers. Also, thanks to everyone who came to cheer the team on. Finally, thanks to the swimmers - from both clubs; thanks for an enjoyable hour of entertaining and very high quality swimming.

Swimmers from both clubs - apparently I was supposed to push the mute button on my jersey but I can't be bothered (deal with it!!!)