Save the date, and other notices

Save the Date!!!

Go on do it! Why? It's our annual Awards and mid-winter dinner coming up, that's why.
The date you need to save is Saturday 27th July. So write it in your diary and put a note on your fridge but most importantly DON'T BOOK ANYTHING ELSE for that evening.

We are returning to the Thai Flame this year for our dinner. More information to come about time, cost and the menu a little bit closer to the date.

Annual Subscription is Due

Yes, it has been a year already since you last paid. It is due by 1st July so that is only 2 weeks away (roughly speaking). Please pay $60 into the club bank account, the same account into which you pay your $30 for your concession cards. The club will then pay your $60 to NZ Masters Swimming on your behalf.

Speaking of Concession Cards

We know it's hard but......please remember to mark your card each time you swim and note the date of your swim (helps you remember if you did it or not) and pay for each card in a timely manner.

Club Night this Wednesday (1st May)

Remember there is club night this coming Wednesday and this could be your last chance for a bit of race practice ahead of the Auckland SC Champs on 18th May.

If you've not been to a pool meet before, the Auckland SC Champs are a great introduction. This meet is fairly low key, only takes half a day out of your weekend and they put on a yummy spread afterwards.

You can get an entry form here by clicking on the Events tab on the left and downloading an entry form. Do it, do it now. Entries close on 12th May.

Club Sea Swim Results & Club Night Results

These have been a long time coming haven't they? I've been slacking off, so apologies if you have been on the edge of your seat waiting for these.

The weather gods did their thing for our club sea swim and bbq and it was a glorious afternoon and evening. 14 Swimmers enjoyed their swim and there was a great turnout for the bbq; so great in fact that sausages were in short supply. Just as well there was lots of other yummy stuff so thanks to all the cooks for the magnificent spread.

Results for the handicapped swim were as follows:
Women's 2km swim won by Janine Ibbs
Men's 2km swim won by Lapo Nustrini
Men's 2km swim won by Mike Wansink

Congratulations to our winners.

There was also a club night in March with an enthusiastic band of swimmers zooming up and down. There was even a record broken - well done Liz! Results are on the blog tabs, right where you would expect them to be.

Auckland Short Course Swim Champs, held by Roskill Masters at Cameron Pool, is coming up in May. More on that later - but start getting your race gear out of storage.

Don't Miss Out - Club Handicapped Sea Swim & BBQ 3rd March

Sunday 3rd March marks our annual club handicapped sea swim and family bbq / picnic. The handicapped swim starts at 5pm at Eastern Beach (northern end) and the bbq will be after the swim at the same place (coz because it would be stupid to move).

By the way, by handicapped we mean handicapped on time. We are not going to chop one of your arms off or anything.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO ENTER THE SWIM. But it soon will be because entries close on 27th Feb. That is only 2 days away. Yes! It is this coming Wednesday so get your act together and get your entry in so our master handicapper can work it all out. No entries on the day coz it's just too hard and always messes things up. SO DO IT NOW!

Also, the bbq / picnic is for the whole family. The club is providing sausages and tomato sauce so please let Avy know if you are coming and how many family members you are bringing. Even if you are sending all your family members to the beach and staying home so you can have a quiet night without the little monsters still let Avy know that. Also, bring a plate, preferably with something on it, either savoury or sweet, that you don't mind sharing with the whole group. If you want to gobble it all up yourself coz your not into sharing then just don't put it onto the main table.

That is all.

No training coming up

Hi folks

We have a couple of public holidays coming up that clash with our training days - Auckland Anniversary on Monday 28th January and Waitangi Day on Wednesday 6th February. Lloyd Elsmore Leisure Centre will close at 6:45 pm on those days, so unfortunately we must cancel training on those days.

No training...
Anniversary Day Monday 28th January
Waitangi Day Wednesday 6th February

Christmas Brunch now Sunday 3rd February

Hi all

We planned to have our Christmas Brunch this Sunday, but we realise now that many of us are still away and participation would be poor.

We've moved it back a couple of weeks to Sunday 3rd February, at the same place, Howick Historical Village Cafe.

There will be a new sign-up sheet poolside.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Swim Session Fee Collection

We need to change the way our $3 swim fee is collected and we've decided to move to using our 10-swim cards with online payment.

Why?

Currently, one person has the job of bringing the cash box, cards and attendance book to every session, then afterwards they bank the money. It's an inconvenient lot of work that nobody really wants to do.

How will it work?

• Members will carry their own 10-swim card, in the same way we carry coffee concession cards.
• When your card is used up, you make an online payment of $30 to the club bank account. We'll have bank details on the backs of the cards for easy reference.
• Next time you swim, you ask one of the committee members for a new card. They will  give you a new card and later we'll match the online payment received.
• Every time you swim, you mark one of the swims on your card.

There's a lot of honesty involved in this (as there is now). We're hoping that people will be diligent with it and not forget too many times.

We did consider an annual fee. However, there are many swimmers who don't swim three sessions a week, but they would end up paying as much as those who did. We feel one of the benefits that helps maintain our membership numbers is the flexibility we offer with our fees.

The committee will review how it's going a couple of months into the new year, so give them your feedback when you've had a chance to try it.

Tony Shacklock

Christmas Training 2018

Hi all

Lloyd Elmore pool management have reduced the time available to us, so this year there is a longer break in training.

• The last session in 2018 is Sunday 23rd December.
• The first session in 2019 is Monday 7th January.

Fun Relay Night - Wednesday 5th December

The last club night of the year is being replaced with a fun relay night. Come one come all and you will be randomly tossed into teams on the night.

As per usual, a 7pm start.

Quiz Night

Hi all

We're having a Quiz Night!

When:

Friday evening 30th November

6:30 pm for networking, nibbles & drinks, then 7:00 pm start.

Where:

Pakuranga Sailing Club

BYO bottle and a plate of finger food (savoury or sweet) to share.

The will be a sign-up sheet at the pool soon, so consult those that need to be consulted and get your name on the list!

Best regards

Tony Shacklock
South City Masters Swimmers