The forecast may have been for dismal weather but we put in a request for something better and better we got. The sun did it's thing, eventually turning on a brilliant day for the club's annual sea swim and picnic. The swim was shifted from Buckland's Beach to Eastern Beach just to make things EVEN nicer. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful family atmosphere. It was a record turnout resulting in standing room only on the patch of grass at the end of the beach and there were reports of some clubees having to park up to 6 streets away. It was also overheard that muscle-man Tony hefted a bbq onto a trailer all on his own, though it hasn't been substantiated.
Two handicapped events were held, 2km and 1km so there was something for everyone. In the 1 km event the winning male was Martin Ellis and the winning female was Jeannie Smith. In the 2km event the winning male was Vince Kirrane and winning female was Dawn Walker. Congratulations to all winners!
Unsurprisingly, after the swimming and prize giving everyone was hungry and enjoyed a feast of sausages, salads and assortment of sweets. There was a lot of food and there was no complaining about getting to take something yummy home.
A big thanks to all the helpers who turned out in force, too numerous to name but you know who you are. These things never go ahead without those who donate their time and energy.
Dave W was out and about with his camera and took some truly wonderful photos. You are going to want to see these. So to see them and download to your heart's content, go here:
South City 2014 Sea Swim Photos
About South City Masters Swimming
- South City Masters
- To send an email click on 'view my complete profile' (below) and click on 'email'. South City Masters Swimming swim at the Lloyd Elsemore Swimming pool located on Sir Lloyd Drive in Pakuranga, Auckland. We have 3 sessions per week of 1 hour duration each. Monday evening from 7pm to 8pm, Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8pm and Sunday morning from 8am to 9am.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Club Night Results Posted
Wednesday saw the first club night of the year and 20 swimmers turned out to swim as fast as they could. 10 New records were smashed out of the park - 6 for the blue team and 4 for the pink team. Some of the times were truly jaw dropping! As always, a thanks to our team of timekeepers who show up to make racing possible, we can't do it without our volunteers.
Then it was on to food and drink - that's why I go! Swimmer of the Month was announced. We have a number of Walkers in the club and Giles is the tallest but that wasn't why he earned Swimmer of the Month. Giles performs outstandingly both in the pool and in the ocean and is truly supportive and encouraging of all other club members and helps everyone to achieve their personal bests. Well deserved.
Jeannie has been trying to offload the wooden spoon for some time and was starting to despair of ever getting rid of it when she snatched a last minute victory by remembering Shirley's moment of 'slight lack of coordination'. How was it Shirley that your dog managed to stay on the stand-up paddleboard while you fell in? Can you give me a heads up next time so I can video it? Our Shirley is the current holder of the wooden spoon and would love it if someone else could earn it off her.
Then it was on to food and drink - that's why I go! Swimmer of the Month was announced. We have a number of Walkers in the club and Giles is the tallest but that wasn't why he earned Swimmer of the Month. Giles performs outstandingly both in the pool and in the ocean and is truly supportive and encouraging of all other club members and helps everyone to achieve their personal bests. Well deserved.
Jeannie has been trying to offload the wooden spoon for some time and was starting to despair of ever getting rid of it when she snatched a last minute victory by remembering Shirley's moment of 'slight lack of coordination'. How was it Shirley that your dog managed to stay on the stand-up paddleboard while you fell in? Can you give me a heads up next time so I can video it? Our Shirley is the current holder of the wooden spoon and would love it if someone else could earn it off her.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Final Sea Swim And Picnic Reminder
We are having the handicapped sea swim and picnic on Sunday 9th. No, you don't need to wear a wooden leg for the handicapped swim, all will be explained at the briefing which is at 4pm Buckland's Beach. If no one is at Buckland's Beach, you will either be the winner of the solo swim.........or head on over to Eastern Beach because the wind has turned and the racing will be there.
The 2km event starts at 4.30 and the 1km event is at, actually I've forgotten...a little while after the 2km event so don't be late.
After the swimmers have scorched up and down the track there will be a prizegiving and picnic. The club is putting on sausages and salads and you don't even need to bring a plate or fork. HOWEVER, please bring something sweet (I don't mean yourself, I mean sweet to eat) that can be shared.
Also, if you have a roll up table that food can be put on that would be helpful.
The 2km event starts at 4.30 and the 1km event is at, actually I've forgotten...a little while after the 2km event so don't be late.
After the swimmers have scorched up and down the track there will be a prizegiving and picnic. The club is putting on sausages and salads and you don't even need to bring a plate or fork. HOWEVER, please bring something sweet (I don't mean yourself, I mean sweet to eat) that can be shared.
Also, if you have a roll up table that food can be put on that would be helpful.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Great Results In This Weekend's Ocean Swims
This weekend saw some much better weather for ocean swimming than last weekend's swim in Wellington. It was glorious for both Saturday's Bean Rock Swim and Sunday's annual Bays Swim. Naturally, South City took advantage of the sunshine and fronted up to both.
Congratulations to Chrissy Penney and Denise Munday who were in their first official 'non-Kohi' ocean swim. Awesome. As for Vince Kirrane and Dave Spencer, they are suckers for punishment, turning up for both swims - legend!
We had swimmers placing on both days, Denise getting 1st place in her first race, you speedster you!!! Here are all the results and thanks to Professor Shacklock for sending them in:
Bean Rock Lighthouse Swim - 3.2 km
Vince Kirrane 52:33
Dave Spencer 1:00:05
Christine Penny 1:13:03
Bean Rock Lighthouse Swim – 1.6 km
Denise Munday 34:43 1st in W40-49
Bays Swim
Giles Walker 57:18 1st in M35-39
Mark Cowling 57.20 1st in M50-54
Dawn Walker 1:01:09 1st in W40-44
Vince Kirrane 1:03:54 2nd in M55-59
Patrick Castles 1:10:52 1st in M65-69
Dave Spencer 1:15:30 11th in M50-54
Wow! Out of 10 swims we had 6 placings, of which 5 were 1st placings. It doesn't get better than that.
Now for a few photos to commemorate the weekend.
Congratulations to Chrissy Penney and Denise Munday who were in their first official 'non-Kohi' ocean swim. Awesome. As for Vince Kirrane and Dave Spencer, they are suckers for punishment, turning up for both swims - legend!
We had swimmers placing on both days, Denise getting 1st place in her first race, you speedster you!!! Here are all the results and thanks to Professor Shacklock for sending them in:
Bean Rock Lighthouse Swim - 3.2 km
Vince Kirrane 52:33
Dave Spencer 1:00:05
Christine Penny 1:13:03
Bean Rock Lighthouse Swim – 1.6 km
Denise Munday 34:43 1st in W40-49
Bays Swim
Giles Walker 57:18 1st in M35-39
Mark Cowling 57.20 1st in M50-54
Dawn Walker 1:01:09 1st in W40-44
Vince Kirrane 1:03:54 2nd in M55-59
Patrick Castles 1:10:52 1st in M65-69
Dave Spencer 1:15:30 11th in M50-54
Wow! Out of 10 swims we had 6 placings, of which 5 were 1st placings. It doesn't get better than that.
Now for a few photos to commemorate the weekend.
 |
| Team South City - bunch of winners! |
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| Denise winning her first race - you go girl! |
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| Pump those arms Giles and don't cut your feet. Pick it up Mark, you can do it. |
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Welly A Bit More Than Windy
There is now new meaning to the saying 'when the wind in Wellington stops everyone falls down'. In fact it was so windy for last weekend's Capital Classic State Ocean Swim in Wellington that even the big orange marker buoys tried to escape the course by doing a 'runner'.
Though the swim wasn't cancelled, the organisers reduced it to the shorter contingency course which was roughly 1.7km. This didn't deter South City's hardy ocean swimmers, they lap this stuff up with typical 'bring it' attitude that we expect from our swimmers.
Naturally they covered themselves with glory and not to mention blood - Giles cut himself on the rocks. Liz Hayes and Dawn Walker both gained 3rd place in their age, Giles missed 3rd by just 1 measly little second and everyone else posted good times in what were atrocious conditions.
John and Daniel Hayes both took part in the Ocean Kids category which is a great effort in such horrible weather. Well done boys!
The season is now halfway through and South City are very prominent on the leaderboard. Here is where we stand so far (in age categories):
Dawn Walker - 1st
Liz Hayes - 2nd
Giles Walker - 2nd
Dave Donaldson - 2nd
Also, we have Sarah Lodge and Pat Castles delicately poised in 4th positions. Avy has only 2 swims under her belt with the 200 maximum points from those swims so with her 3rd swim she should shoot back to the top of her age group. It's turning into a cracker season!
Now for you entertainment
The above was actually for your entertainment too! Tony has sent in this link, thanks Tony. If you find the starts of ocean swims, and all the argy bargy that goes with it really difficult then this creative training technique may help you (or not!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXCE-Ihl_lI
Though the swim wasn't cancelled, the organisers reduced it to the shorter contingency course which was roughly 1.7km. This didn't deter South City's hardy ocean swimmers, they lap this stuff up with typical 'bring it' attitude that we expect from our swimmers.
Naturally they covered themselves with glory and not to mention blood - Giles cut himself on the rocks. Liz Hayes and Dawn Walker both gained 3rd place in their age, Giles missed 3rd by just 1 measly little second and everyone else posted good times in what were atrocious conditions.
John and Daniel Hayes both took part in the Ocean Kids category which is a great effort in such horrible weather. Well done boys!
The season is now halfway through and South City are very prominent on the leaderboard. Here is where we stand so far (in age categories):
Dawn Walker - 1st
Liz Hayes - 2nd
Giles Walker - 2nd
Dave Donaldson - 2nd
Also, we have Sarah Lodge and Pat Castles delicately poised in 4th positions. Avy has only 2 swims under her belt with the 200 maximum points from those swims so with her 3rd swim she should shoot back to the top of her age group. It's turning into a cracker season!
Now for you entertainment
The above was actually for your entertainment too! Tony has sent in this link, thanks Tony. If you find the starts of ocean swims, and all the argy bargy that goes with it really difficult then this creative training technique may help you (or not!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXCE-Ihl_lI
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Club Sea Swim And BBQ
The club sea swim will now be on Sunday February 9th. Briefing is at 4.30 pm, swim start is at 5 pm and the BBQ and presentation of trophies will be at 6 pm. Please have entries in by 5th February so handicapping can be done. This is a fun occasion for the whole family so be in.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Xmas Swimming Hours and Our Pat
Xmas Swimming Hours
Firstly, a very Merry Christmas to all our club members. Wishing you all a relaxing time and happy holidays.
Here are the swimming times of the Christmas/New Year period:
Normal swimming Monday 23rd (tonight). There will be no swimming on Wednesday 25th December - in case you hadn't heard it is Christmas day and you really should have something else to do. Go to the beach if you really want a swim. There will be 'normal' swimming on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th. Some of our members swim more normally than others so take that as you like. On Wednesday January 1st we have 3 lanes from 5.45 pm to 6.45 pm for those who are sufficiently recovered from the night before. Sunday January 5th and onwards we are back to normal. In a nutshell....
Monday 23rd - Yes
Wednesday 25th - Seriously? Of course not!
Sunday 29th - Yes
Monday 30th - Yes
Wednesday 1st - Yes, 3 lanes from 5.45 to 6.45
Sunday 5th and onwards - back to normal
Famous Pat
If you were swimming in the Russell to Paihia swim on the 7th December you would have noticed Pat wearing a different coloured cap from everyone else and it had the number 3 on it. The cap was to really make him stand out and the 3 was because he was part of a very distinctive family; 3 generations of his family were taking part in the swims that day. Pat's daughter Helen and her twin sons were swimming along with Pat.
As many of you know, Pat's daughter Helen is a reporter for TV One so TV One were up there recording this auspicious event. The New Zealand Herald also took up the story and featured an article and here it is in full so you can read it for yourself. Pat, you are a superstar!
Firstly, a very Merry Christmas to all our club members. Wishing you all a relaxing time and happy holidays.
Here are the swimming times of the Christmas/New Year period:
Normal swimming Monday 23rd (tonight). There will be no swimming on Wednesday 25th December - in case you hadn't heard it is Christmas day and you really should have something else to do. Go to the beach if you really want a swim. There will be 'normal' swimming on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th. Some of our members swim more normally than others so take that as you like. On Wednesday January 1st we have 3 lanes from 5.45 pm to 6.45 pm for those who are sufficiently recovered from the night before. Sunday January 5th and onwards we are back to normal. In a nutshell....
Monday 23rd - Yes
Wednesday 25th - Seriously? Of course not!
Sunday 29th - Yes
Monday 30th - Yes
Wednesday 1st - Yes, 3 lanes from 5.45 to 6.45
Sunday 5th and onwards - back to normal
Famous Pat
If you were swimming in the Russell to Paihia swim on the 7th December you would have noticed Pat wearing a different coloured cap from everyone else and it had the number 3 on it. The cap was to really make him stand out and the 3 was because he was part of a very distinctive family; 3 generations of his family were taking part in the swims that day. Pat's daughter Helen and her twin sons were swimming along with Pat.
As many of you know, Pat's daughter Helen is a reporter for TV One so TV One were up there recording this auspicious event. The New Zealand Herald also took up the story and featured an article and here it is in full so you can read it for yourself. Pat, you are a superstar!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
South City Do It Again!!!!
This weekend saw round 2 of the State Ocean Swim Series, the Bay of Islands Classic, which is a 3.3 km swim from Russell to Paihia. This is also the longest swim of the series and is the only one that is more than 3 km.
The weather looked fairly ideal at breakfast time but as swimmers boarded the ferry to cross to Russell the wind started to pick up and faces started to fall. On Russell village green swimmers started putting on their wetsuits if they hadn't already done so and it was not a moment too soon as the rain started to come down and the marker buoys on the course began to have a mind of their own. The waiting crowd began to feel a little anxious over being able to sight the course and threatened to storm the beach (slight exaggeration) but Scott Rice took control with a gentle 'shush' and then it was down to the start line. Right on cue the weather cleared just in time for the start hooter. In spite of the earlier squalls the weather remained calm throughout the swim and the water was only mildly choppy - very good swimming conditions indeed. The sun even came out in time for the finish.
Predictably, South City Masters covered themselves in glory with 4 swimmers on the podium - Dawn and Avy both won their divisions (again!) and Liz and Pat came second in theirs. A big shout out to the 4 of them - doing the club, and themselves, proud. Out of the 12 swimmers that went to Paihia, 10 members finished in the top 10 of their age division, an amazing result.
A mention should also be made that Richard and Rachel both made the podium in their age groups in spite of being only in togs. Unsurprisingly, they both won their respective non-wetsuit divisions.
The weather looked fairly ideal at breakfast time but as swimmers boarded the ferry to cross to Russell the wind started to pick up and faces started to fall. On Russell village green swimmers started putting on their wetsuits if they hadn't already done so and it was not a moment too soon as the rain started to come down and the marker buoys on the course began to have a mind of their own. The waiting crowd began to feel a little anxious over being able to sight the course and threatened to storm the beach (slight exaggeration) but Scott Rice took control with a gentle 'shush' and then it was down to the start line. Right on cue the weather cleared just in time for the start hooter. In spite of the earlier squalls the weather remained calm throughout the swim and the water was only mildly choppy - very good swimming conditions indeed. The sun even came out in time for the finish.
Predictably, South City Masters covered themselves in glory with 4 swimmers on the podium - Dawn and Avy both won their divisions (again!) and Liz and Pat came second in theirs. A big shout out to the 4 of them - doing the club, and themselves, proud. Out of the 12 swimmers that went to Paihia, 10 members finished in the top 10 of their age division, an amazing result.
A mention should also be made that Richard and Rachel both made the podium in their age groups in spite of being only in togs. Unsurprisingly, they both won their respective non-wetsuit divisions.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Fun Fun Fun
Last Club Night Of The Year
Xmas is nearly upon us and that means that next race night is a FUN night so you better get on down to the pool at the usual time of 7pm on Wednesday 4th December for Crazy Relays. Everyone gets to swim and don't be surprised if the relays make no sense whatsoever and no winners are declared! It's all in the name of fun and you might get to eat a chocolate fish or two.
Relays will finish at 7.45pm, giving you a few minutes to get changed and then there will be a supper at 8pm and a few certificates given out - you will need to come to find out who is getting them and why.
Calendar Of Events
Below is a calendar of swim events that are on the horizon. Kohi swims are in black, State Ocean Swims in blue and other swims in red.
Xmas is nearly upon us and that means that next race night is a FUN night so you better get on down to the pool at the usual time of 7pm on Wednesday 4th December for Crazy Relays. Everyone gets to swim and don't be surprised if the relays make no sense whatsoever and no winners are declared! It's all in the name of fun and you might get to eat a chocolate fish or two.
Relays will finish at 7.45pm, giving you a few minutes to get changed and then there will be a supper at 8pm and a few certificates given out - you will need to come to find out who is getting them and why.
Calendar Of Events
Below is a calendar of swim events that are on the horizon. Kohi swims are in black, State Ocean Swims in blue and other swims in red.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Christmas Brekky
South City will be having their Christmas breakfast at Ara Tai Cafe in Half Moon Bay (same place as last year) at 9.30 am on Sunday 15th December. Pay as you go (I believe). Anne will have a sign up sheet at the pool this coming Sunday so you can start adding your names to it. Anne says people have been asking her for a date but why she wants her personal life published on the blog is a mystery to me; never mind, done now.
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