Newsletter April 2003
Club committee
The recent AGM saw some new faces come on board. The committee for the year
is;
General committee, Ken Lyons, Bev Corbett, Geoff Southan, Mike Meekings
Secretary/treasurer; Mary Ann Di-Cesare
Club captain; Aldo Di-Cesare
President; Simon Malpas
For the past Committee members a very big thank you, a fantastic job well done.
Change of Location
Now that we are located at "The Waterhole" for our training sessions,
we need you all to come down and help get the club spirit going. Geoff has been
busy getting the equipment over from "West Wave" and setting it up
again for us to use. His first program was a beauty and all departed invigorated.
The Waterhole is looking in good shape and is a pleasant site although the sessions
are a little later than at West Wave we mostly have the whole complex to our
selves. You need to come down.
Times for Training have changed
Tuesdays - 8pm to 9.30pm
Thursday - 8pm to 9pm
Sunday - 9.30am to 10.30am
Note!
Tuesday's, Geoff is poolside running the session with the swim programs, stroke
correction, drills and techniques, while for Thursday & Sunday Geoff sets
the schedules for us to follow. These are written onto the white board attached
to the side of the club cage.
Geoff is available if you take the time to sit down with him, to give you advise on your objectives for your swimming which also includes special programs & nutrition requirements not matter what level you are at.
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This year's fees have been set at the most incredible and reasonable rate ever.
We have a very low annual membership & NZMS fees with Lane training fees
down to a remarkable $5 week.
WCMS Annual Membership $20.00
NZMS Annual Membership $30.00
Lane Training fee (48wk) $240.00
Look at this: Even if you pay this fee monthly it will cost only $1.73 per swim
for 3 swims weekly or $2.60 per swim @ 2 swims per week and as most of you only
swim once a week it will only cost about $5.00 per week. As you know you can't
even get into the pool for that price. But included in this fee is your total
experience, coaching and all the tools you need. What great value. You all need
to join in & bring a friend. For those who have still to pay the fees well
there is no excuse as this is cheapest ever. Support your club as it is a non-
profit organisation but we do have to cover the lane cost. The best way to cover
the lane cost is to come and swim, and to swim regularly during the week, so
get down and get fit and have some fun while showing we can do it. And don't
be a bunny by being too busy to join in.
Happy Easter look after your club
Some thing to focus on
Meets coming up are the:
"Auckland Short Course Championships", starting at 1pm on 24th May & run by Roskill Masters Swimming Club held at Roskill Aquasport Centre Mt. Roskill. Closing date 5th May, entry forms are attached.
Our club normally has a very good turn out to this meet. This is an excellent and very compact meet and has nothing over 100m along with good relay events. Be there or be square.
"Mid Winter Xmas Meet", starting at 11am on 21st June & run by Hamilton Masters Swimming Club held at Waterworld Center Te Rapa Hamilton. Closing date 13th June, entry forms are attached.
Again this should be a great meet, as this club has staged many well-run local & international meets and will be all over 5pm with a good party Saturday night.
"Napier Masters Annual SC Sprint Meet", starting on 21st July & run by Napier Masters Swimming Club. Again a great meet, with a good party Saturday night. Entry forms to come. We have traditionally attended this meet with good numbers.
"Postal Meets"
"Huia Masters Webbed Relay Postal Meet", From 1st April to
30th June & organised by Huia Masters Swimming Club held at each masters
club. Taking part is simple, as the club will run this during the training sessions
for those interested. Geoff & Aldo will organize teams to train for this
event over the next few weeks, and teams will swim the relay during the session.
About the Webbed Relay. The Webbed
Relay is a handicap event, and is open to any Australasian Masters Swimmer.
Participants must take part in a team of four, with teams being made up of either
sex. Handicaps are based on world masters records, and are designed to eliminate
the impact of age and sex on the resulting times. Thus the emphasis is on fitness
and technique. Results will be shown as follows:
Furthest swum based on handicap
Furthest team swim based on handicap
Individual best improvement in performance over last year
Swimmers will be handicapped according to age and gender. Times MUST be swum
between 1st April and 30th June.
Club nights
This idea will be investigated over the next few weeks. So you will hear more
during the weekly training sessions. Club nights involve the running of special
training sessions to include every swimmer and could include inviting other
local clubs to train with our members at the same time making it fun and getting
the whole club together more regularly. The schedule for club nights will be
set and announced later along with the format. The location of the "Waterhole"
makes these club nights a lot easer to run, as the whole complex will be for
us only.
Bits and peaces
Well they are back, from their South Island honeymoon. A little bird has passed
it on that Gavin had to do all the heavy work, lifting canoes & backpacks
that is, as Paulette was saving her strength. The test was given and we can
say it was passed in an instance, with Paulette answering to Mrs. Tasker.
Ken also has had a testing time of late having trouble sitting on the bike but
this gives him lots of time to straighten that back rim.
While Brian has to wait a little longer before he is able to swim without a
wet suit as he is on a six month long list, so if you have any tips for him
to retain his sanity, pass them on. We will miss him in the lanes.
Caron is still busy organising and biking on Sundays, don't be surprised when
you get your phone call.
Bev has lots of items to sell, so if you are looking to replace those floppy
togs, see bev. The Phone list is again up-dated and attached. Check out the
club web sit click on http://www.waitakere.orcon.net.nz look at all the links
and other great things.
Don't forget we need to see you all
at swimming
Our swim meet is next week! Saturday September 7th. If you are not swimming and able to help out please contact Ken on 836 0953.
As we are not having an after function dinner, we would appreciate if our swimmers could bring a plate or two for the get together after our swim meet at the pool. Beer and wine will be for sale.
During the swim meet timekeepers will be required as necessary, we are planning to once again utilise Rachel's plastic plate system to indicate a vacancy. All certified timekeepers report to head timekeeper on arrival.
If members could arrive around 8
o'clock to help out with any last minute jobs. Thankyou to all those who have
assisted us with organising and fundraising your support is encouraging.
I hope you all swim well, look forward to seeing the results.
Fulton Cup 2002 Sunday 22nd September 2002, warm up 4pm. Zinta will also approach swimmers at our meet to their preferences for events. Otherwise contact Zinta on 817 2670 before 9th September as our club submits entries and pays your event fees. Five events maximum and every event the club is awarded at least one points depending on placing, so the more events completed by swimmers the more point amassed by the club!
North Island SC Champs Rotorua November 1st - 3rd. We will need to book accommodation, a Motel has been chosen, near to city centre and Pool. $30 Per head, per night for shared accommodation there are also limited single units at $75 per night, all units have kitchenette. Please let Zinta know NOW if interested as we need to book to secure.
Birthdays: Sam 7th, Gavin 16th, Rachel 23rd, September. Happy birthday to you all.
Welcome new Club Members: Linda Hall and Geoff Southan (our coach).
Tuesday nights training have
become very popular due to our new coach Geoff. We have needed stoke correction,
and having up to date techniques shown I'm sure will benefit us all.
Hello, Thank you for the feedback
from our last newsletter. A big thank you most go to Mary-Ann and Aldo for the
printing and scanning of the newsletters. If you have been swimming lately,
you will have noticed Aldo our in-house film producer has been recording our
strokes, dives and turns. The big day for viewing is on Mid Winter swim day
at Red Beach Sunday the 23rd 3pm, swim or quick dip then back to Jacky's and
Brian's for BBQ and video. We should gain useful information on our strokes
particularly the underwater shots, and maybe a few laughs. (Ps No meat required,
bring a plate and drinks.)
Beverley has kindly written a page on her holiday down south for us, with photos
and cartoons! Lovely.
New phone list, attached (not posted on the Web), as we have 3 new members,
welcome Amanda, Joanne and George.
Auckland Long Course championships: Our own meet, Waitakere City Aquatic Centre, Saturday September 7th, warm up 9 am. Entries close 24th August. We haven't held an event for a number of years, because of the magnitude of the many tasks; the committee will be stretched so members will be asked nicely to assist where necessary. Any members or past members who have family or friends able to assist on the day would be excellent. Lanes will be allocated to clubs for timekeeping duties. The more volunteers we can get, the more members will be able to swim in races and relays. Entry form in last Master Scrawl, check for the spare copies in cage or ring Paulette. We have an impressive trophy up for grabs, so practice, practice and practice!
We need/require sponsorship, for funds or spot prizes from any company contacts, friends who might have connections to support the club would gratefully appreciated, phone Jacky or Caron.
The club has received a generous grant from the Waitakere Licensing Trust, towards running our swim meet. Simon our club president and Paulette, Secretary attended the Donation Presentation Function on 10.6.02. The evening was very enjoyable, meeting representatives from a broad section of the community. It was very inspirational to learn the aims and aspirations and success stories of other organisations within Waitakere City. The Waitakere Licensing Trust is doing a great job promoting and funding projects within our community. For this support to be ongoing, we need to champion the Trusts, and not to sign away our community benefit to private enterprise. (Please read the attached leaflet, and spread the word)
Auckland Short course Sprint Champs: Pleased to see so many members attended the meet, especially some of our newer members. The club achieved third place, well done! Special thanks most go to Brian and Ken for time keeping. Group shot on photo's page, what a fine looking bunch.
Napier Masters annual SC Sprint meet: Saturday July 13th, warm up 12noon. Entries close 20th June No doubt Zinta has contacted you regarding Napier Meet and the incentives to attend. (Hire age of a Van if enough interest and your entry fee will be reimbursed). PS Always a good knee's up afterwards.
Northland Master Swimmers Fun Carnival: Whangarei, Saturday 17th August, warm up 7pm. Entries close 7th August. Incentive for this meet is your Entry Fee will be reimbursed. Always a fun evening with wacky relays and Pizza's galore!! Express your interest, as accommodation has to be arranged.
Fulton Cup 2002 Sunday 22nd September 2002: warm up 4pm. Entries close 13th September, this event the club, pays your event entry fees. Five events maximum and every event the club is awarded at least one point depending on placing, so the more events completed by swimmers the more point amassed by the club! We should be all rearing to go, after our own meet. Zinta will be in contact.
North Island SC Champs Rotorua November 1st - 3rd: The last champs were well run, and everyone had a good time Lets go down there in force! We will need to book accommodation so let Zinta know so we can book. We hope to find better accommodation than last time, any personal recommendations? I will be in Rotorua myself for a few days in July, and will check out any possibilities.
Important news from NZMS (Our
national body)
1. NZMS is looking for members to volunteer as understudies for Secretary, Editor,
& National Recorder. They do not require members to take over the above
roles, just to learn the job in case of emergencies. If anyone is interested
in volunteering please contact Jan Fulton 626 6396
2. NZMS membership fee for 2003 has been increased to $30. This plus club fee
of $20 is payable from September 2002 and must be paid by December 31st 2002.
3. 800 and 1500mt freestyle events will not be deleted from National Championships
program's, however individual clubs may be nominated to time keep a particular
lane or swimmers themselves may have to arrange for friend or fellow club members
to time them.
4. Paulette has a copy of the NZMS 2001 financial statement. Please contact
her if you would like personal copy to peruse.
5. Paulette also has copies of minutes from WCMS AGM plus 2001 financial statements
of anyone would like a copy.
6. We have been advised by NZMS that from the 1st of June entries will not be
accepted from members entering sanctioned meets, that do not have estimated
times entered. The practice of putting "no time entries into the slowest
heat is hard on our slower members. Also too many members are submitting later
entries which puts pressures on the organisers trying to arrange heat sheets.
Please ensure you put your entries in well before the cut off date.
Birthdays: Last month I missed
Linda S. birthday May 24th sorry! Upcoming birthdays, we have Brian 28th June,
Kelly 12th July, Mary-Ann and Aldo 23rd July, George on the 6th August and Peter
11th August.
Happy Birthday I hope you all have special days.
The Cage: has been repaired our thanks to Mike.
Other up coming events:
Postal Swim, (August-September). NZMS 800 metre and 1500-metre freestyle Timed
swim. Lanes will be set-aside over the two months. You may swim both or either.
Cost of $5 per distance
South Island SC Champs Blenheim, (September 6th - 8th)
Asia Pacific Masters Games, (Sept 21-29th) Gold Coast Australia.
Finally, I hope you have enjoyed
this newsletter. Good Swimming, Caron.
Newsletter March 2002
It seems too late to be saying Happy New Year to everyone but there we are. This year presents some challenges to the club and some opportunities. I say challenges because we need new members who are going to swim at the club nights, we need regular coaching sessions and we need a better financial profile. I say opportunities because we have the World Champs coming up, numerous members who are performing at a great level and finally a very supportive and friendly club. Naturally these issues will be important for the incoming committee to discuss.
Best regards,
Simon
News….
Whale Island; If you think a swim from Rangitoto is plenty far enough, then
spare a thought for 35 hardy souls who braved terrible conditions this year
to undertake the 9 km open water swim. Heather Pope and Rachel Bishop were our
reps from the club with Heather coming home as first women and 2nd overall.
Rachel made a great effort on her first attempt at this event and came within
1 km of the finish only to be defeated by the outgoing tide.
Ironman (or better yet IronGran)
Yes it was Jacky's time again to prove she's no couch potato with a gutsy performance
in Taupo. Despite pulling a muscle at an aquathon in the week she was able to
complete the swim and cycle in good times and then proceeded to begin walking
the marathon. After walking ¾ of the way and then running, she finished
in a time of 14 hr 36 min. Makes one tired just reading about it. The best thing
is that she is now representing New Zealand in Hawaii at the IronGran.
Actually when one begins to think about the overall performance of club members
the list is quite impressive;
Jacky Tasker (New Zealand rep Ironman)
Mary-Ann Di-Cesare (NZ record 400 medley 55-59 yrs)
Heather Pope (Top female open water swimmer in her age group)
Brydon Wells, Aldo Di-Cesare, John Fisher & Peter Jamison (NZ record Men's
4x50 m medley)
Brydon Wells (North Island age group champion)
Probably a host of other people I've forgotten (sorry)
Red Beach saw a great turn out of club members for what has to be one of the nicest sea swims around. Reasonably flat water saw most people come out of the water looking in good form. Thanks to Brian and Jacky Tasker for having the club to their house afterwards for dinner. Made for a great day.
Rangitoto; Last Sunday saw 500 mad souls gathering in the dark at Viaduct Basin for the Rangitoto swim. Ken, Mike, Simon, Peter caught the boat over while Heather lost her ticket and had to swim both directions. Conditions were pretty good considering the forecast and everyone seemed happy with their time
All the best Heather; This month Heather is trying to get to the South Island
the long way. All our thoughts are with you Heather.
Special request;
Helping hand needed; Sandra Blewett looks after a group of special needs children
at Henderson Pool on Mondays between 6-7 pm. She would really love a kind soul
to help out and provide some simple coaching to the kids. It's a great chance
to help others less fortunate. You can contact Sandra directly on 270 2503 (bus)
or 234 3240 (hm).
Taking a swim in Japan and Simon and Phillipa Malpas
Recently I was lucky enough to return to Osaka Japan for two weeks. Having lived
there for two years from 1990 to 92 it was somewhat of a homecoming for Phillipa
and I, and a special trip for Nicky who began life there but never visited.
If you ever get the chance to visit my advice is to always jump at the chance.
For most it's a mind-blowing experience of tastes and sights. Sure it's expensive
with most things double the price in New Zealand, but it's an experience of
a land of gadgets and inconsistencies. For example one morning as I looked out
of the hotel window I saw two men digging up a small section of the pavement.
Nothing unusual in that except there are also two men acting as guards to ensure
that no pedestrian falls into the 5 cm deep drain. This is not to mention the
vast array of signs and warning cones to let everyone know that the men are
there. These two elderly men are dressed in uniforms that wouldn't look out
of place in the police and they are armed with light sticks and helmets. Perhaps
what is strangest is that while there is the utmost protection for the public,
the workers are using a very loud drill with no ear protection.
We were very fortunate to have a hotel with a pool. Knowing this before I left meant I pack the togs and goggles in the faint hope of the occasional swim. Well I had forgotten the Japanese sense of rules for a start a swimming cap was compulsory, not really a problem as they had them for hire but most unfortunate of all was the cost; 2200 yen for non-hotel and only 1200 yen for hotel guests (that's a whopping $42 or $22NZ, just for a regular swim. While the pool was lovely with a host of spas and steam rooms I was only able to bite the bullet and justify the expense once.
Nicky and I arranged to meet up with friends (who had lived in the same apartment building), at the pool as they also had a young daughter who loved to swim. I had decided not to swim before we went and had thought that I would sit on the edge of the pool and catch up with my friend and ten years. When we arrived I was told that I couldn't sit beside the pool and watch unless I had my togs on! I must have looked rather blank. Perhaps they misunderstood me and thought I had intended to swim later? But no, I couldn't sit by the pool and watch the kids swim unless I had my swimsuit on. There was no point in enquiring why. Those were the rules and while they didn't seem to make sense, they had to be obeyed or you were refused entry. So I traipsed back up to the hotel room, and put on my togs, and then my sweatshirt so you couldn't see the togs and returned to the front desk. They didn't want to see the togs and it occurred to me that I could have gone up in the lift and simply returned without my togs on and no-one would have been any the wiser! Once it was ascertained that the children had swim caps, we'd taken off our shoes and paid the equivalent of a deposit on a house, we got to the pool. The pool was beautiful and Nicky declared it the cleanest water he had ever swum in. There was to be no jumping, diving, bombing or splashing in the pool - hard to explain the latter to a ten year old boy! "But it's water Mum and I'm in the pool"! Towels are provided, as is shampoo and conditioner. There is pot pourri on the vanities and towels on the floor so your feet don't get wet, or worse - the gunk from the shampoo, conditioner, or hair on your feet. The changing rooms are carpeted and piped music is fed through annoying speakers that seem to be everywhere (actually it's hard to escape them anywhere in Japan). We had a couple hours at the pool and it was fun for Nicky. Perhaps swimming is more a luxury for people in the cities, certainly the hotel pool is not representative of all pools in Japan. It certainly gives us an appreciation of what we take for granted in NZ when it comes to swimming, the ease with which we can swim and the associated costs.
End Of Season Dinner and AGM
Thursday 7th April from 6:30 pm, its at Simon's place: 3 Inaka Pl, Titirangi (ph 8176646)
Come and celebrate your season, your achievements and have your say on the future of the club.Elections for teh committee will be held then, think about possibly joining the committee, nominations for all positions welcome, see a current committee member.
December 2001 Newsletter
News on the Sanctioned LC Meet for Waitakere City Masters Swimmers
We have been granted permission to hold a sanctioned long coarse Meet on Saturday the 7th September 2002 at the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre, Henderson. A sanction fee of $112.50 (including G.S.T) is required to be paid for entry, any non-financial members will be asked to pay another $25 regardless of whether or not they have paid their Club Secretary.
News on the Sanctioned SC Meet for Roskill Masters Swimmers
The Meet is on Saturday the 25th of May 2002 at the Roskill Aquatic Complex, in Mt Roskill. A sanction fee of $112.50 (including G.S.T) is required to be paid for entry, any non-financial members will be asked to pay another $25 regardless of whether or not they have paid their Club Secretary.
Extracts from Club Newsletter November / December 2001
Waitakere swimmers make a splash in Wanganui
A small but determined band of swimmers made the journey down to Wanganui for
the North Island Short Coarse Champs. Although the weather wasn't much chop
a great event was put on by the local club. Everyone but yours truely seemed
to pull out all the stops and have some great swims. Congratulations to Brydon
Wells in winning his age group with some amazing times and to the dynamic duo
of Mary-Ann and Aldo for their second placings in their respective age groups,
then to Peter Jamieson for breaking that 30 second on that 50 m freestyle, to
Helen for those PB's and to Heather for those amazing starts.
Summer Break
The final club night for 2001 is Thursday 20th Decmber and we return on Tuesday
the 22nd of January. Everyone is welcome to swim during the break with Kelston
Masters on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7 and 8 pm ( cost is $5 ).
We have decided that on the last training day, instead of Wendy's for snacks,
we will go up market and take the desserts and coffee at the Falls Hotel from
8:30 pm. Even if your not a regular swimmer on Thursday please consider
stopping by for some Christmas cheer.
2002 IX FINA World Masters Swimming Championships; What would it take???
Whether you swim for fun, fitness or competitive reasons does everyone realise
taht we have one of the worlds largest masters sporting events happening right
on our dorrstep next year? Many of us are asking the question; Why don't we
have more club members planning on going? Just think about it for the moment;
This event is going to be simply a great buzz and it's happening in our own
country! Imagine being able to watch some of the worlds' greatest swimmers strut
their stuff and in some cases being able to stand up on the blocks next to them.
I for one am going to stick my neck out and say that people aren't seeing that
this is a once in a lifetime event and if you let it pass you by, you will regret
it. So ... think about it, even if you can only get to Christchurch for two
days or even just to be part of the support crew, you won't be dissapoited and
more importantly you won't regret it.
Money money money
No the club doesn't have any yet but it has applied to ever known funding body
for money to support our coaching program and equipment. We hope to hear early
next year on the results of our funding drive from the respective parties involved.
While staying on the theme of money, it was decided at the last committee meeting that lane fees and subs would remain the same for 2002.
World Champs 22nd-30th March 2002
Aldo has booked accommodation for us in Christchurch. Make sure you have let
a committee member know if you are going.
Fee Reminder
Fees for the whole year are $290,
$160 for 6 months,
10 x $33 automatic payments between March and December.
( account no for direct debit 123039 0753724 00, Waitakere City Masters Swimmers
)