Race Night Results, SOM

Yes, we did have a race night this month and the results have now been collated and posted on the various pages. It was a very successful race night at that with 11 individual records being set and also a relay record.

The North Island Champs are not too far away now so you have 2 further opportunities to practice your race strategies etc on club night before the big event. Don't forget to get your entry in though.

Swimmer of the Month, Wooden Spoon
Swimmer of the month went to Dave Walker. Dave has been working very hard on his technique and this has paid off big time. He is looking silky smooth in the water (and out of course) and is having a stunning open water season. Well done Dave!

The wooden spoon went to me (again!). This was more of a 'minties moment' than a wooden spoon moment when my goggles broke in dramatic fashion right on the start line of the Legend of the Lake swim (sigh).

Kohi Swim Series Points Wrap Up

The points part of Kohi Summer Swim Series wrapped up with Swim 16 last night. South City did pretty well to have 4 swimmers win their age division: Mark Cowling Men 50 to 59, Jess Hughson the hotly contested Women 20 to 29 age group, Deryn McGregor Women 50 to 59 and Avy Judelson Women over 60. Photo below of our age group winners plus a photo bomber who won the cuteness contest.

There are still 2 swims to go at Kohi before the season completely ends and we say goodbye to summer.

Notes on Yesterday's Drill

Long Dog (or Long Dog Paddle)

Purpose:

Like many drills, this popular drill can be used to address several aspects of technique.

1.       Improve body position – it's hard to lift up at the front (or it's easier if you don't).

2.       Improve body rotation – because it's harder to lift up for air you need to rotate.

3.       Improve hold on the water to achieve a steadier propulsion.

How to do it:

Simplistically, swim freestyle except recover your hand and forearm under the water.

Some key points are:

1.       'Feather' your recovering hand so it slips through the water with as little resistance as possible, i.e. turn your hand parallel to your body until it's about level with your goggles, then turn it so the palm faces down as you reach ready for the catch.

2.       Timing: Leave your extended arm extended until your recovering hand is about level with your goggles. Then make the catch at the same time as you reach forwards with the recovering hand.

3.       Rotation: Rotate your body (hips) as you reach forward, like leaning on your armpit. Many of you will need to exaggerate your rotation and turn your head further for air.

Fine points:

1.       Where you reach forward to affects your balance, a bit like a trim tab on a boat. If you struggle to keep your feet up, try reaching to a deeper position. Try just straightening your reaching arm. Experiment to find a reach target that gives you a relaxed head-toe balance and an easy forward momentum. Avoid downwards pressure in front of you; it will usually lift your front, which encourages your legs to sink.

2.       Many adults swim with too little body rotation, which encourages them to lift up at the front to get air. Practice purely rotating your head and body for air. At low speeds you will need to be facing almost upwards when you breathe. At higher speeds your bow wave enables less rotation, but still more than most use.

3.       Think of holding the water and reaching forward rather than pulling the water. This mental image often helps with feel for the water. Imagine you are holding a large ball of jelly in the water. If you pull it to aggressively, it will just 'tear'. However, if you think of gently holding it and reaching forward as far as you can, sub-consciously your mind/body works out the right thing. It also improves your body shape as your sub-conscious works out how to make it easier.

How to practice:

1.       Choose just one focus point and concentrate on it; for a whole session, for a week, for a month, until you feel comfort with it. If you move from one focus to another too quickly none will stick.

2.       Use the same focus when you swim freestyle. This will help the skill from the drill get into your full stroke.

hmmmmm something looks familiar

Look who is in the Eastern Courier!!!!!

This is Tony's son, Stuart.

This Week's Happenings

Hi all

Over the last few months some of you have been asking about the drills suggested in the programmes, e.g. what are they, how do you do them and what's the purpose of them? We thought it would be good to run a session to explain one or two of them, so…

This Sunday (6th), we'll use the relay time for Tony to explain one of the drills (or two if there's time). Deryn will be a demonstrator/guinea pig.

Two lanes will be set aside for 'free' swimming for those who prefer to continue training.

The drill we'll cover will be "Long Dog", with Tony explaining (a) its purpose(s), (b)  how to do it well and (c) some fine points. Please don't think that this is just for learners - drills like Long Dog have layers of detail that can help swimmers of all levels.

Afterwards, let us know what you thought. If you want more we can do that, or if you don't, we won't.

Finally, just a reminder that Wednesday this week is race night, with 25, 50, 100 & 200 m of any stroke.

Happy swimming

Tony

Another Successful Club Picnic

How many swimmers does it take to change a light bulb? I have no idea but it takes roughly 8 to put up a sun shelter.

Yesterday we held our annual picnic and handicapped sea swim. Little Bucks was a good choice as we had perfect conditions for swimming with little wind and a bit of cloud covering.

As per usual there were 1km and 2km options and either wetsuit or non-wetsuit so there was plenty of choice.

Here are a few statistics for those that like that sort of thing:

• 7 swimmers swam the 1km race compared with 17 swimming the 2km race (24 total)
• 8 women/girls took part compared with 16 men/boys
• 3 children swam in the races
• 6 swimmers went non-wetsuit, 18 swimmers wore a wetsuit
• everyone had a great time

Thanks to absolutely everyone who made it happen. It is easy for us swimmers to just show up at the beach and it is all there and we swim, get out and grab a sausage. It is never that simple. There is always a lot of planning that needs to go into these things and people need to pull together and help on the day, spouses at times. Some members chose to be support on the water or cooks or fill other roles rather than swim. You may not get thanked personally but please know that we do all notice and really appreciate it.

First male home in the 1km was Martin Ellis.
First female home in the 1km was Angela Oliver.
First male home in the 2km was Lapo Nustrini.
First female home in the 2km was Deryn McGregor

Times were taken this year so below is a table with everyone's times.
 

Swimmer	Wetsuit	Go time	In time		Swim time
1 km
Angela Oliver	X	16:00	33:57	1st Female	17:57
Martin Ellis	X	16:00	35:16	1st Male	19:16
Ross Faulkner	X	16:00	35:35		19:35
Kendall Oliver	X	15:30	35:47		20:17
Yoko Otani	X	11:00	36:43		25:43
Kyle Hughes	X	13:30	37:41		24:11
Barry Davies	-	10:00	39:46		29:46
2 km
Lapo Nustrini	X	08:40	38:24	1st Male	29:44
Dave Walker	X	02:30	38:42		36:12
Mark Clavey	-	07:15	38:46		31:31
Tim Aitchison	X	07:15	38:48		31:33
Dave Donaldson	X	08:00	38:50		30:50
Ron Tomlinson	X	08:40	39:10		30:30
Deryn McGregor	-	05:30	39:21	1st Female	33:51
Mark Cowling	X	09:00	39:25		30:25
Ryan Oliver	X	07:40	40:10		32:30
Dawn Walker	-	06:30	40:13		33:43
Giles Walker	-	07:40	40:15		32:35
Avy Judleson	X	05:00	40:23		35:23
Liz Hayes	X	05:00	40:37		35:37
Mike Harrison	X	07:15	41:55		34:40
Sharon Hewettson	X	00:00	41:57		41:57
Stuart Bell	-	06:30	45:01		38:31
Dave Bradding	X	08:00	DNF

Race Night Results & Other Related Info

We had a very successful race night last Wednesday with a turnout of 20 swimmers having a crack at 15 events plus the relays (not 15 events each, that would be exhausting for anyone).

There were also 7 new records set so we are either getting faster, older, smarter or all of the above.

A couple of you have very young ages next to your results. This is not because we didn't have your birthdate and so just plonked any old age next to your name. No, no, no, it is because you look so fabulously young. Far too young to belong to a Masters club.

Jess Hughson was named Swimmer of the Month. Jess has done a fabulous job, training very hard and putting many hours into training up to swim Taupo's Epic 10km event which she did in the excellent time of 2 hours 49 minutes. Great work Jess, you can have a little rest now. Just a little one mind.

The wooden spoon was given to me (again!) for, well, being a dufus. It's a long story. I think it's about time someone else did something silly, it's me far too often.

Club Picnic, FREE Togs

Firstly though it  is RACE NIGHT on Wednesday. Yes it is the start of another month. What, already? Don't tell me Christmas is coming again! Wednesday 3rd February will be the day to take to the start blocks. You can do 25m, 50m, 100m or 200m and you can do any stroke you like so long as it is a recognisable swim stroke.

Club Sea Swim & Picnic
This is only 2 weeks away now so if you don't have your entry in yet you better hurry up. Here is a message from Tony:

"Hi all

You probably know we have our annual BBQ & swim set for Sunday 14th February and we're starting to get things ready.

Just a reminder it's at the southern end of Little Bucklands Beach (or if the wind is unfavourable, the contingency is the northern end of Eastern Beach.) The swim will start at 12:00 midday with the BBQ after it at 1:30 pm. We hope to see you all there.

Please note for the swim we need entry forms filled in so we can do the handicapping knowing who will swim what distances and whether or not they're wearing a wetsuit. John T is collecting the entries, but any of the committee will take them. If you don't get an entry in, of course you can swim for pleasure, but you won't be handicapped or eligible for a trophy.

We'd appreciate some people paddling the course to keep the swimmers company. We're not offering search & rescue support, but it's comforting to think there a few people able to spot anyone in trouble. Anyone interested let us know and bring your vessel!

The club will provide sausages, bread, etc., but please bring something salad or sweet to share.

We need to cook the sausages, so we're looking for a volunteer to lend a barbecue. Let any of the committee know if you can help.

Looking forward to another pleasant afternoon in good company!"

Thanks Tony. I'm glad you have ordered good weather for the event.

Free Togs

How often are togs being given away? Hardly ever, if at all. So be quick if you want to take advantage. 

John Trubnick has available, free to any club member, the following NEW unworn, men's swim togs.

2 pairs Speedo Endurance Jammers size 22 (100cm) and one pair Speedo Endurance size 22 (100 cm) club badged racing briefs. See John Trubnick - first in, first served.

Race Night Results

Results from the first race night of the year are now up. This was 400's night, any stroke so long as it was 400m. This would have to be the first night no records were broken though the relay team came very close.

Swimmer of the Month went to Fiona Little. Fiona had a rip roaring swim in the recent Harbour Crossing. At the time she was credited with a 3rd spot. However, after the 2nd placegetter was dq'd and then the 1st placegetter was tossed out for thinking it was ok to wear flippers in a race our honest Fiona was elevated to her rightful position on the top of the podium. Good job too.

The North Island Champs are still providing fodder for Wooden Spoon. This was given to Dawn W for thinking a tiny little toast rack might in fact be a dish rack (kind of like calling a thimble a trough). I'm not sure how the dinner plates were supposed to balance on a toast rack.

Annual Sea Swim, Club Hoodies

We have left just two club hoodies. Both are Men's Large, around 40" to 42". At $15 they are a bargain; reserve yours today.

The date for the annual South City Masters club BBQ and handicapped sea swim, (1 km and 2 km courses) has been set. Get your diaries out now and put a big mark on February 14th. This year the venue for the BBQ and sea swim is Little Bucks Beach (contingency at Eastern Beach). 

The swim is to commence at 12 noon (high tide) with the BBQ afterwards at around 1.30 p.m. 

Entries must be on the signed entry form which will be available at the pool in the middle of January. There is no charge and entries close on Monday 8th February. Late entries for the sea swim cannot be accepted due to the handicapped nature of the event.