November 29th was the second last day of Spring, and the day that a great Summer sport descended on Coogee Beach.

Hundreds of men and women took part in the The Coogee Island Challenge open water swimming event for 2009. This open water swim happened in the early morning and involved competitors covering a distance of over 2000 meters.

The 2009 Coogee Island Challenge was given a shot-point start by Peter Garret, MP and environmentalist. Less welcome guests at the Island Challenge swim were a school of jellyfish, which were floating to greet the swimmers at the end of the race.

Despite the jellyfish, there was no menace of cold waters or unpleasant weather which turned Coogee beach into the perfect setting for a perfect day of open water swimming.

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The Cook Community Classic is each year on the first weekend in November. This year the event was held at Cronulla Beach and the adjacent Cronulla Park.

The competition involved a competitive surf carnival between our four Bate Bay Surf clubs, an open ocean swim and a community carnival in the surrounding park areas.
Even for people not interested in sport the carnival hosted entertainment, live music, local celebrities and community stalls featuring the participating event sponsors and community organisations.

This year, in addition to the very successful community open water swim there was an open community paddle ski event.
Through these activities the Cook Community Classic provides a fundraising platform local Shire community groups – including sports clubs, local charities, school P&Cs and other community organisations.

The Cook Community Classic is all about trying to make the most of the efforts of local community organisations.

The Cook Community Classic was not focussed on winners and placeholders for the sporting events, but rather getting as many competitors and spectators involved from the local Sutherland Shire Community.

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Australian swim brand Vorgee has launched the country’s first polarised swimming goggles – the Osprey – giving Aussie triathletes and open water swimmers the cutting-edge advantage.

18 months in the making, Vorgee’s Osprey goggles use the same type of polarising lenses found in leading sunglass brands. Vorgee first had the idea a couple of years ago when they kept hearing complaints from open water swimmers of the problems they were having with reflective glare off the water and its affect on their vision and performance.

The Vorgee design team ran with the concept and began to research the kinds of polarising lenses worn by other sports people – cyclists, skiers, sailors – who need to perform to a high level in glary, reflective environments. Their findings were then applied to swimming goggle technology and the Vorgee Osprey was born.

Osprey goggles feature polarised, UV protected, anti-fog coated, enlarged lenses that provide zero distortion and optimum viewing clarity, no matter what the conditions. Combine this with an oversized, one piece lens and frame design that enhances comfort and sight lines, plus a quick fit strap system, and you have the perfect goggles for open water swimming.

Vorgee’s Osprey goggles will also be available in tinted and clear lens versions for pool swimming.

The Osprey goes on sale at participating aquatic centres throughout Australia in September 2009.

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The big news in swimming this week was sparked by the dwindling numbers of professional swimming coaches. On the back of a string of high profile retirements, the number of elite coaches in Brisbane has dropped from 13 to nine. Scott Volkers, the coach responsible for the swimming legends like Susie O’Neill and current head coach at the Queensland Academy of sport believes it all boils down to the leasing of public pools to large leisure companies. The poor funding and lack of resources available to coaches is resulting in fewer new faces emerging and aging coaches are either retiring or being snapped up by international programs. Previously, councils would lease pools to coaches who would earn revenue from swimming lessons, gate takings and the kiosk while devoting large amounts of time to the less-profitable art of coaching. Now companies like leisure operator Belgravia, which runs 11 aquatic centres in Queensland’s south east, are taking up the rights to pools. Volkers says high-performance coaching, which reaps rewards on an international scale but does little for the bottom line of pool operators, is often the first activity tobe pared back. As a result, professional swimming could become a sport of yester year, because without the high quality coaches, there will be no swimmers.

Actor Steve McFadden has credited swimming as his secret weapon in his war against weight. Steve, 50, will don a wetsuit to take part in the British Gas Great North Swim on Sunday, September 13. The challenge will see him making waves in Lake Windermere, Britain’s largest natural lake, with depths of up to 220ft. He is doing all this to raise money charity.

Erin McNaught takes the catwalk during the Miss Universe 2006 Preliminary Competition in Los Angeles

On a more social note, Erin McNaught isn’t letting her recent break-up with Braith Anasta cramp her style. Last weekend she was spotted with yet another sportsman – Eamon Sullivan. Confidential spies said the good looking pair were dominating the dance floor at Kings Cross nightclub Kit and Kaboodle on Friday night.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SHLEIBS Photographer HECTOR MATA

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The big news in swimming this week was all about free diver Mike Wells and his exciting feat of swimming a 120m under sea channel on a single breath. The cave of New south Wales northern coast is said to be Australia’s longest under water cavern and is a regular haunt for sharks and has never been successfully navigated by a free diver before, and proved to be a perilous task for Wells with 3 failed attempts due to weather conditions and cramps. However he persevered and succeeded in his 4th attempt, although it was not without its dramas. Towards the end of the channel is a very narrow section known by divers as ‘the chimney’ in which Wells’ monofin became wedged. Thankfully his son Jeremy was following behind him and managed to free the fin. “My fin got jammed in the crack. It just stuck there, it was a dead stop. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, literally, so I just (put my) head down and went to work, just keep swimming” said Wells of his narrow escape. The 39-year-old free diving veteran held his breath for the lung-bursting 2 minutes and 40 seconds it took to navigate the length of Fish Rock Cave.

Across the Tasman Swimming New Zealand has recently gone into damage control with one of its young swimming stars being hospitalised in Rome for excessive alcohol consumption following the swimming championships. 19 year old Daniel Bell is no stranger to controversy following an incident where he was photographed on the loo drunk at a social function in the final days of the Beijing games. The photo was taken by team mates Dean Kent, Corney Swanepoel and Cameron Gibson who were expelled from the New Zealand team and the Olympic Village as a result of the prank. SNZ chief executive Mike Byrne made a point of commenting that SNZ would support the young swimmer despite this second incident, which will have no negative impact on his future prospects of making the New Zealand swim team. “He needs to understand that as a high profile sportsman in New Zealand, society has different expectations on him than they may have on you and I. He needs to live up to those,” Byrne said.”He just had too much to drink, like a lot of us would have to own up to having done in the past.”

In other tid bits of swimming news, A Detroit man has become the 11th person to complete the 24.3-mile swim across Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania shore near Erie. Randy McElwain took just 11 hours, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds to swim from Long Point, Ontario to Freeport Beach in North East Township, beating the previous record for the swim by 20 minutes. The old record was set in 2006 by Josh Heynes.

Design giant Phillips- Van Heusen has licensed sportswear company Studio Ray to develop new surf inspired swim wear for its IZOD brand. The line will be available in department stores in spring. Now if you’re wondering why Phillips- Van Heusen may sound familiar, it could be because they are responsible for the backing behind brands such as Calvin Klein, Van Heusen and Bass.

BLK1 Aticle: ALEX SHLEIBS BLK1Article: © BLK1 2008 – 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Nicholas Caine

While most 16 year olds are at home enjoying the advancements of the technological age, Atherton teen Nicholas Caine is spending up to six hours a day training in open waters and pools to build the stamina and techniques he will need for later this year when he attempts to swim the English channel. He will swim from Dover in England to the shores of Calais in France, which is approx 20 nautical miles in waters that are a chilly 60 degrees, which the ambitious teen hopes to do in around 9 hours.    “If for some reason, I get bad weather or bad currents, then I’ll have a lot
longer swim than I planned on. If it ends up being 14 or 15 hours, hypothermia
would be a big problem to worry about.” Caine was reported in saying earlier this week. In accordance to the requirements for swimming the English Channel, Caine will embark on this swim without a wet suit. But hypothermia will not be his only opposition, with the possibility of jelly fish, huge swells and gale force winds all a real possibility. However Nicholas is not deterred, and is instead excited about the adventure.  “He just has this passion for open-water swimming,” said his mom, who plans to be on a support boat accompanying Nicholas across the Strait of Dover
sometime between July 28 and Aug. 6.

In other big news this week, the official uniform for the Australian diving team was revealed in Sydney last week. The design process began late last year when David McCabe, owner of swimwear label Ying Fa Australia, approached 17 year old Brooke Fensom to come up with a design for the team, and by all accounts the results did not disappoint. “I just sat down and put down whatever came into my head… but I knew I wanted to make it subtle and at the same time stand out,” Ms Fensom said, who has no formal training in design. The outfits include swim suits, polo shirts, track suits, shorts and singlets.

Elsewhere in the world at the Canadian swimming world championship trials, Anna may Pierse smashed her record of 2:23:77, set at the Beijing Olympics for the 200 metre breaststroke with a time of 2:20:71, the third fastest recorded in history, and just 0.49 seconds off the first.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SCHLEIBS

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The prospect of freezing waters did not deter the hundreds of swimmers who took part in the Mona Vale Cold Water Classic Ocean Swim on Sunday 21st June.

There was a notable absence of heat from the sun, and a cold wind was blowing, but the swimmers- many of them aged over 50 years- had no fear for the chilly temperature.

There was an option to wear a wetsuit, but a majority braved the cold, reportedly saying that the chill was a large part of the thrill. While many swimmers opted to wear nothing but a pair of Speedos, many had stated that they had experienced colder waters in their lifetime and that the winds that were felt after exiting the water were the coldest part of the day.

The swim covered the distance from Mona Vale beach right into The Basin. All competitors who were registered to race managed to compete the course, proving that the promised cold temperatures really are no match for determined ocean swimmers.
BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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The swim involved a distance of 10kms. To take part in this event is a true achievement. The cliffs between North Bondi and Watsons Bay are some of the most exposed coastline in Australia, beaten by the elements; there is no shelter from the prevailing conditions on swim day.

Skies were sunny and wind was mild, but even a light breeze was enough to make the water a choppy challenge for all competitors.

The swim had competitors starting at North Bondi Beach then heading north around Ben Buckler & north along the coastline to South Head, then into Sydney Harbour past Lady Bay, Camp Cove and into the finish at Vaucluse Yacht Club in Watsons Bay.

All those who took part should be proud of their prooven ability to conquer some of Australia’s roughest seas.

BLK1 Photographer:  Marcus Christie

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Monday, 13th April was the first ever Tamarama to Clovelly Ocean Swim.

The event involved over 200,000 competitors swimming from Tamarama Beach to Clovelly Bay.

This very special inaugural swim began in fine conditions, with clear waters and overcast skys. All participants reported that they thought themselves lucky to be swimming in the event on this day, even though the heat of Summer has all but vanished and both Tamarama and Clovelly beaches are infamous for rough surf.

A few competitors actually commented on the fact that the conditions were especially good for the course, with a rip at Tamaram Beach making it easy to swim out to sea. But then there were others who complained of strong currents between marking posts along the course.

The fastest competitor to compete in the first ever Tamarrama to Clovelly Ocean Swim was 29 year old, Dario Pelli. Pelli managed the time in just half an hour. One minute behind him was Paul Lemmon, and just 20 seconds behind Lemmon, was Luane Rowe- the first woman to finish.

All competitors should be congradulated on completeing this twisty and challenging open water event.

RESULTS FROM THE 2009 ROCK TO ROCK PACIFIC PALMS TAMARRAMA TO CLOVELLY OCEAN SWIM:

 BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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The 2009 Dale Alcock State Open Water Swim is a prominent annual event and was recently held on Saturday, 28th March 2009 at Coogee Beach in Western Australia. The event covers two categories – the 1000m and 2000m swim and eligibility for entry is exclusive to AUSSI Masters Swimming members. Masters Swimming WA was established in 1977 and has strong affiliations with Masters Swimming Australia, with over 1200 members, aged between 20 and 95 years. The event is sponsored by Dale Alcock Homes. Mr Alcock is a third generation homebuilder and established his enterprise 20 years ago, which has since then become a leading residential corporation and was awarded the HIA Australian Housing Excellence Award in May 2008.

This year, the 2000m men’s swim proved to be a competitive race, with Damien Eyre, who competed in the 35-39 years age group taking the reign as the fastest overall male competitor, with a result of 23.57.74. Eyre is a long-time competitive swimmer and was ranked third overall in the 400m freestyle, second in the 800m freestyle and most notably second in the highly-competitive 1500m freestyle event for the Masters Swimming Australia 2008 rankings. Second in rank this year was Paul Vivers, who recorded 24.01.63 and competed in the 45-49 years bracket. Michael Magazanik recorded the third fastest time of 25.03.28 and swam in the 40-44 years age bracket.

The 2000m women’s open water swim established a similar trend, with more seasoned competitors recording the fastest times. Allison Hass competed in the 40-44 years category and recorded the fastest time of 25.17.87 for her open water swim. The previous year, Hass was awarded the Perth City Swim Club’s “Most Improved” award and her first ranking is a testament to her dedication to the sport of long-distance swimming. Claire Ware competed in the 35-39 years category and recorded the second fastest time of 26.21.91, with younger competitor Erica Lemieux, aged 28, recording the third fastest time of 26.25.63.

Congratulations are extended to Damien Eyre and Allison Hass for outstanding results and we look forward to the next round of competition in 2010.
BLK1 Article: NADA MARTINOVIC BLK1 Photographer: MICHAELA SCHAEFER

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This year’s Balmoral Swim attracted over 600 competitors from all over New South Wales. The event, which is held at Balmoral Beach just north of Sydney, has raised money for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia since 2007.

In 2008, 713 competitors attended, raising over $30,000, and this year the charity has once again made a significant contribution, collecting over $22,000 for the cause so far.

The Alexander Patrick Hall Charity Cup is awarded to the individual and team who raises the most amount of money through the online fund. This year the award goes to team Clubaces, who have raised an astounding $13,863 to date, more than half of the total contribution. Nicholas Anderson was also recognised for his individual contribution of $2,145.

Several other awards and prizes are handed out to the winners of each race. The programme consists of a team relay, a 250m juniors team race, as well as a 150m open Dash for Glory.

But the curtain raiser for the event, the one kilometre race, was the main attraction. The long-distance harbour swim encouraged 602 starters to take to the chilled waters at 10am last Friday.  Eighteen-year-old Jake Nolan of Beacon Hill took out the race in just under 12 minutes. Kelly McCrae was the fastest of the women finishing in 8th place overall.

The Balmoral Beach Club, in co-operation with the Mosman council will be looking for an increased number of competitors and donators when the event is held once again next year.

BLK1 Article: ALI SULIO BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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Saturday 7th March could not have brought better conditions for the Caves Beach Ocean Swim. The annual ocean swim, which has existed for five years had to be moved from its originally planned date due to rough seas, icy winds and pelting rain.

Throughout its history, The Caves Beach Ocean Swim has been an event planned for families to enjoy. The fun atmosphere at this year’s event emulated the values of the organisers and, in the pleasant weather, was a day that both spectators and competitors could enjoy.
Newcastle local Jarred Killey was the first to swim in to shore, finishing the race with a time of just 14 minutes and 42 seconds. Another Newcastle local, Eliza Smith was the first female to finish, coming in with a time of 16 minutes and 11 seconds.

There were hundereds of competitors on the day, making the scenery something to be admired as the masses circled around the shoreline.

-Top 10 – 2009 Caves Beach Ocean Swim Results-

1. Jarrod Killey,  Merewether- 14:42
2. Josh Hollard, Black Hill- 14:46
3. Saxon Bird, Denistone- 15:03
4. Wally Eggleton, South Windsor- 15:33
5. Heath Winning, Highfields- 15:42
6. Keelan Bridge, Killcare- 16:08
7. Eliza Smith, Merewether- 16:11
8. Erin Killey, Merewether- 16:12
9. Joshua Elloy, Waratah- 16:12
10. Jerry O’Sullivan , Birmingham Gardens- 16:12

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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