“Perfect” was the only word that could describe the conditions on Bondi Beach on Sunday 10th January. Bright and early on this day, hundreds of swimmers made the effort to swim almost 2kms around the Bondi Ocean Swim course.
The swimmers wore everything from budgie-smugglers to body-steamer wetsuits but the warm water made the former the most appropriate. Competitors of all ages and both sexes took part alongside each other.

Despite the fact that moored boats and ocean currents set up obstacles for the swimmers, the scorching sun was not the only thing to warm this day, the vibes of unity and good sportsmanship also were shining down on all the people involved in the 2010 Bondi Ocean Swim.

 BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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.

 BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

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After months of speculation about her future, Jodie Henry announced her decision to retire from competitive swimming on September 30.

Henry, who is 25 years old, enjoyed a relatively brief but fruitful career and will be fondly remembered as one of the most gifted and successful female athletes Australia has produced in the past ten years.

Henry began her competitive swimming career when she was 14.

Competing in the 1997 Commonwealth Youth Games held in Edinburgh, Henry won a total of five gold medals.

Her career continued to blossom at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games where she won the women’s 100 metre freestyle event.

Henry was also a member of the team who won both the 4×100m freestyle relay and the 4×100m medley relay.

Her greatest achievement in the pool was at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she won a total of three gold medals in the 100m freestyle, 4×100m freestyle relay and 4×100m medley relay.

Henry won each of these three events in world record time.

In recognition of her astonishing accomplishments in 2004 she was named Australian Swimmer of the Year and is one of only three women to receive such an honour.

Remarkably, Henry once held the Olympic, Commonwealth and World Championship crowns in the 100m freestyle.

She performed spectacularly at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, winning one gold and two silver medals.

And at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, Henry’s star once again shone brightly as she won gold medals in the 4×100m freestyle and medley relay

Unfortunately, her career was halted by a pelvic injury which left her unable to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the 2009 FINA World Championships.

Henry’s decision to retire comes hot on the heels of comments made by another Australian swimming starlet Libby Trickett indicating that she is considering retiring after she did not win a gold medal at the 2009 FINA Word Championships.

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The Queensland state swim team has carved out a piece of history by winning the inaugural State Team Short Course Championships in a decisive fashion.

Queensland came in at first place with a total of 2505 points, while New South Wales won second place, scoring 2346 points.

Third place was won by Victoria, with a total of 1515 points.

The 2009 State Team Short Course Championships took place at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from the 19^th to the 21^st of September.

The Short Course Championships consisted of four sessions held over three days, with two session held on the 20^th of September.

A number of skins races were held as well as timed finals during this competition.

Queensland put in a commanding performance throughout all four sessions of the championships, and by the end of the first day of competition they had established a 56 point lead over New South Wales, who finished the first day in second place.

As well as winning the championships, Queensland won best performing female team for girls aged between 13-14 and 15-16.

Additionally, Queensland received awards for the best performing male team overall and the best performing female team overall.

Queensland was also presented with awards for best team performance based on points per swimmer and best team performance outright.

New South Wales received awards for best performing male team for boys aged between 14-15 and 16-17.

Kenneth To, a 17 year old from New South Wales, was one of the stars of the championships, accomplishing the remarkable feat of winning four events in a row on the last day of competition.

To won the 50 metre freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly in the boy’s 16-17 group on the 21^st of September.

To’s win in the 50 metre breaststroke was particularly thrilling, as he managed to defeat Queensland’s Nicholas Schafer by just 0.02 seconds.

More than 200 athletes aged between 13 to 17 from across the country took part in championships, which consisted of 76 races held in the short course format.

BLK1 Article:  JUSTIN MACDONALD  

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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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There was plenty of drama in the world of swimming this week, resulting in a number of bans being imposed on various people and swim wear. First and foremost, Canadian swimming coach Cecil Russell has had his application for reinstatement rejected for a second time. Russell received a life time ban in 1997 for a doping infraction and initially was accepted. However under closer scrutiny by the CCES, it was found that Russell was convicted of conspiracy to possess ecstasy with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 4 years in prison in Arizona in March 2004, and as a result had the decision overturned. To the shock of many in the swimming world, some parents are still allowing Russell to coach their children.

The debate surrounding the new high tech performance enhancing swimsuits has finally been settled, well at the high school level anyway. The National Federation of State High Schools Association has officially banned the use of these super suits, effective immediately. They have also imposed tough restrictions on what swimmers can wear during competitions. Swimmers are now limited to one suit which must be permeable to both air and water and may not contain any zips or fasteners. For the boys they must not go above the waist or below the knee and for the girls it cannot go beyond the shoulders or below the knees, necks must remain bare. “The committee knew that in order to preserve the integrity, tradition and heritage of the sport, as well as protect and enhance the interscholastic swimming program, these new requirements were necessary to promote fair play and the educational values of high school and could not wait another year,” Becky Oakes, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the swimming and Diving rules committee, said in a statement.

On a far more personal note, Speedos or the beloved ‘budgie smugglers’, an Australian icon since their introduction in 1914, has recently been banned at popular European water park Alton Towers. In a statement from management, the reason behind this ban was to help avoid embarrassment among patrons and to promote a more family friendly environment with more aesthetically pleasing and less revealing swim wear on display.

On the topic of teensy weensy swim wear, ex bay watch star Pam Anderson will be in New Zealand strutting her stuff on the catwalk to promote her new line of enviro / animal friendly swimwear during New Zealand fashion week. But the question on everyone’s lips (including her publicist) is…. will the suits be too skimpy for the casually renowned kiwis?

But it’s not all bad news this week, at the Hobart veterans swim titles some fantastic and nail biting new commonwealth records were set. New South Welshman Adam Pine carried his good form into the final of the 100m butterfly, producing a powerful finish to win in a new Commonwealth record time of 49.71 seconds and taking nearly half a second
off his own record set last year. Earlier, 30-year-old Ashley Callus set an Australian record to finish the fastest qualifier in the 50m freestyle semis, clocking in at 21.06 seconds. Queenslander Emily Seebohm won the 100m backstroke with a time of 57.47 seconds, setting a new commonwealth record, and then moments later went on to set the fastest personal time in the 100m medley and was the only swimmer to break the minute mark. Victorian Sarah Katsoulis set a new commonwealth record of 29.61 seconds in the 50m breast stroke, beating club mate Leisel Jones. Thomas Fraser-Holmes put in a mammoth effort in the 400m individual medley, prevailing over fellow competitor Leith Brodie by 3 seconds. And finally Libbie Trickett qualified fastest for the final of the 100m freestyle.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SHLEIBS

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This week in Australian Waterpolo saw Australia bow out in the quarter final stages of the FINA junior women’s championship but the young-guns of the team lead from the front.

Australia qualified for the quarter-finals after a seven goal haul from Balmain Tigers player, Kayle Leathem, leading to a 28-4 victory over Kazakhstan, however the USA took the crown from the reigning champions winning 9-4.

Australian head coach Peter Szilagyi was unhappy with the poor start and said “The mentally, better-prepared American team deserved to win.”

Leathem wasn’t the only youngster to when earlier in the week, 16 year-old Ash Southern, dominated Australia’s opening game scoring four goals for an 11-9 win over Spain.
Australia will now face off against Canada for fifth spot.

BLK1 Article: ELIZABETH MCPHERSON BLK1 Photographer:ANTHONY PEARSE

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As one of the most publicised beauty contests in the world, attracting millions of viewers from all across the globe, the Miss Universe pageant will no doubt, be one of the highest anticipated events this year.

Taking place on the shores of Nassau, the Bahamas on a little island so-fittingly called ‘Paradise,’ the prestigious pageants’ 58th year looks as though it will live up to its reputation as the most popular pageant in the world.

First founded in 1952 by Californian clothing company, Pacific Mills, the Miss Universe pageant went on to later become one of Donald Trump’s many acquisitions in 1996, and has since developed into a worldwide phenomenon.

It is this phenomenon which Mr Trump and his organisers remain steadfast in promoting as ‘not just a beauty contest,’ but a culture-rich event which strives to include intelligent, well-mannered and confident women from all across the globe.

Each of these women vying for the coveted title will be judged in three categories: swimwear, evening gown and a one-on-one interview with the judges. If successful, the winner will find themselves catapulted into a life devoted to overseas charity campaigns, intent on creating public awareness regarding the control and prevention of specific diseases, in particular, AIDS, and seeking to improve the lives of others through the promotion and general well-being of others.

Of course, the winner also gets to call the Trump Tower, New York, home, during her year-long reign and is exposed to a world filled with countless opportunities and career prospects.

Since touching down on the Caribbean nation’s picturesque shores of Paradise Island, each of the 84 contestants will spend their time leading up to the final date, visiting the island’s abundance of beautiful locations, and making various glamorous appearances before the first official round of judging commences on August 16th, in which 15 finalists will be selected for the lavish August 23 event.

With Venezuela, the United States and Puerto Rico possessing the highest number of wins in the pageants history, it will be expected that Stefanania Fernandes (Venezuela), Kristen Dalton (USA) and Mayra Matos (Puerto Rico), will all reach the finals and be strong contenders for the coveted Diamond Nexus Labs Crown.

Local Townsville beauty, Rachael Finch, who recently came close to being devoured by a five metre crocodile, whilst doing promotion work at Crocodylus Park in Darwin late last month, is also a pageant favourite for following in the footsteps of 2004 Aussie winner, Jennifer Hawkins.

Sadly, there are a handful of past participating countries, which will not be competing this year, including Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Northern Marianas and Trinidad and Tobago, due to various issues such as lack of funding, sponsorship and general lack of national interest.

As is true of every beauty pageant, further fuelling the budding excitement and anticipation in the lead up to the event, a string of controversial events, which have sparked considerable media attention, have occurred. Apart from Japanese entrant, Emiri Miyasaka being opening criticised for her daringly revealing leather-clad national costume, in which her hot pink underwear was clearly visible, insulting many people from her home country, a row has also broken out between Bolivia and Peru regarding the name of Miss Peru’s national costume, “la Diablada,” which the Bolivians are claiming is a stolen manifestation of folklore which belongs to them.

Alas, all publicity is good publicity, and as the beautiful Paradise Island finds itself inhabited by another 84 rare beauties, the hype continues to mount as to who will take over the reign of Venezuelan winner, Dayana Mendoza and who, with flowers in hand, and diamond tiara on head, will find her world inextricably filled with bright, new possibilities and the lasting memory of a night she will never forget.

BLK1 IS EXCITED TO BRING YOU FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2009 MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT

BLK1 Article: JESSICA LENI

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Hot wheels and hot designs were on display as the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2010 took centre stage in Miami. More than 12 thousand people attended the five day extravaganza as scantily clad models strutted down the catwalk showcasing the hottest looks and trends for summer.

Local designer Red Carter delighted the audience with his space-age glamour that included multi-coloured bikinis with gold hardware and structured cuts with mesmerising prints.

The season’s ‘Mercedes-Benz Presents’ designer L*Space by Monica Wise featured tasty bikinis in stunning fabrics with a gorgeous mix of African-inspired prints.
The unique colour of olive green and grey was seen repetitively in the swimwear range which generates a blend of chic modernity into the ageless art-deco environment. This olivine grey was also displayed as one of the colours on the new E-Class Mercedes-Benz coupe at the show.

“Fashion designers share a common thread with automotive designers and that realization comes to life at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Both the vehicles and the garments consistently reflect fashion trends, movements and craftsmanship”, said Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis.

Bohéme Boutiques commenced their poolside show with bohemian-inspired garments such as bikinis, beach cover-ups, one-piece swimsuits and scarves in bright colours and prints. With all the essentials covered that would make anyone look stunning at the beach, the collection integrated belted buckle detailing and energetic colours on one-piece swimwear, scarves and bikinis with a touch of embroidery.

Caffe Swimwear took a spin to the bohemian look and launched its first “Making A Change” ensembles with creative elements. Channelling its laid back comfort style in a more humanistic approach, designer Paula Saavedra produced high fashion resort collections that are super chic and sexy with an exotic touch.

Clever cuts and form-fitting bikinis were introduced by Tori Praver Swimwear. The fabulous line includes maillots and cover-ups with a hint of romantic pastels of white and cream pieces. Influenced by her travels, Praver’s swimwear designs are sure to make a big splash this summer.

Meanwhile, Cali-inspired brand Ed Hardy Swimwear took a fashion forward approach to its collection with diverse mix of styles, designs, colours and fabrics. The lifestyle focused brand offered a whole range of mix and match separates and unique embellishments encouraged by the sandy beaches and hot weather of the upcoming season.

Taking a more spiritual approach to her designs, Mara Hoffman translated a variety of unique silhouettes and intense prints from bright and bold to femininely softer hues. The swimwear range demonstrated different styles that will help flatter any body shape. This included playful bikinis and super sexy one-pieces accentuated with colour palettes from red, yellow, black, lavender and blue.

Resort collections with an eye for fashion, White Sands Australia featured 80s-inspired glamour with an edgy twist. Cute frilly bandeau bikinis, Brazilian-inspired bottoms, skilfully shaped maillots in rich gelato colours were presented for ready-to-wear beach wear.

White Sands Australia designer Leah Madden offered flawlessly structured shapes and deep plunging neck lines as well as fun and playful swimsuits, t-shirt dress with shimmering sequins and alluring maxi frocks.

Consumers and the media saw other design collections from Marysia Swim, Crystal Jin Eley, Aqua Di Lara and many more. At Poko Pano’s summer 2010 compilation provided colourful polka dots and stripes of tropical colours incorporated with black, white and beige.

The season’s hottest colours comprised of ocean blue, purple and pink as seen at Marysia Swim, Luli Fama, Cia.Maritima and ANK by Mirla Sabino Swimwear shows.

The everlasting colour of black used innovatively with clever styling details were strongly presented at Vitamin A and V Del Sol runway shows consecutively.

Cutesy-classic with the occasional outrageous twist has appeared to be the design motif used by designers when putting together catwalk shows both this year and in years that have passed. This year will prove once again that this keeping more designs steered towards consumer than couture is a fail-proof method to both sell swimwear and impress the crowds at fashion week.

BLK1 Article: THANH LOAN NGUYEN Images: IMG

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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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A recent study of over 200 women aged between 15 and 70 by swimsuit designer/manufacturers Swimco revealed what we all already knew, but just couldn’t quite put our fingers; the secret to looking great in a bathing suit isn’t a perfectly toned body that is cut like a diamond, it is much simpler and far more easily attainable, it is: confidence. And the easiest way to feel comfortable is to shop for your figure until you find something that complements your best physical asset while still giving problem areas attention. “It is definitely possible to find a swimsuit that is flattering, no matter what your shape or size,” states Lori Bacon, President of Swimco.” “Be prepared to take a little time, however, to get it right.” Not surprisingly the surveyed revealed that around a third of women would like to see swimsuits that help control and hide tummies which was closely followed by women seeking more bust support, bust enhancement and hip minimization whilst still allowing for that defining hour glass shape. As a response to the problem areas highlighted in this survey, Swimco have released a fashionable and exciting range to help combat swimsuit troubles. The Hip Helper which features brightly coloured eye drawing tankini’s with a feminine skirted bottom, the Tummy Toner with built in tummy panels, the Waist shaper in both high waisted and bikini cut bottoms for added torso length, the Bust Booster, an “up a cup” one piece with a supportive underband, and the C Cup and up which boasts built in moulded cups and flexible underwire to help give that much needed extra support.

The idea of being comfortable in your swimmers has carried over into the professional

world of swimming. In a controversial and somewhat rash decision, FINA is allowing swimsuits that obviously aid a swimmers performance to be worn in all races until the end of this year, when it will then change this rule and begin enforcing stricter guidelines. This has left many swimmers without swim suit manufacturer alliances in a less than ideal position. Unfortunately Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice is in one of these positions having recently being dropped from her Speedo contract. Ironically this has worked to Rice’s advantage, with no sponsorship commitments she has been free to trial different makers of speed suits including Jaked, Arena and the Adidas hydrofoil. Rice is however tipped to stay loyal to the LZR (Speedo), with her coach Michael Bohl claiming that comfort would win over minimal improvements in times.

In other swimming news, 8 time Olympic medal winner Michael Phelps has not let his high profile go to his head.”It doesn’t matter to me if I’m the favourite or I’m not, I have to make the team before I decide anything. Bob (coach Bob Bowman) and I just wanted to get here and see where we stand,” Phelps told reporters on Monday. The team he is hoping to make is the U.S championship team, which will compete in the world championships on the 26th of July in Rome. Phelps will compete in the 100 and 200 meters freestyle and 100 and 200m
butterfly.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SCHLEIBS

 Article: © BLK1 2009. All Rights Reserved.

 

Many professional swimmers are turning to the practice of tapering, a reduction in training done in the days leading up to competition, hoping it will provide a competitive edge.

Put simply, tapering in swimming consists of a reduction in the amount of training a swimmer will undergo and is done in the weeks preceding competition.

Swimmers are tapering their training regiment because it is believed that tapering can provide them with increased power.

The notion of reducing one’s training in the hopes that it will improve an athlete’s performance may seem nonsensical at first, but advocates of the practice of tapering point out that intensive training can be risky for athletes, placing great strain on their muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Tapering one’s training regiment allows the mechanics of the body time to recover and it also provides the swimmer with time to recover their mental strength and focus on upcoming competition.On average, swimmers that have successfully implemented a tapered training regiment have reported a three per cent improvement in their performance.

However, the practice of tapering has attracted some controversy.

Swimmers have raised question about whether tapering a training regiment could actually lead to a loss of fitness.

However, scientific studies on tapering have revealed that a reduction of both the frequency and volume of training will not result in a loss of fitness.

It is important to note that these same studies have indicated that a reduction in the intensity of a training regiment can lead to diminished performance.

And while many in the world of swimming agree that a gradual reduction in training before competition is a good idea, because no two swimmers are exactly alike, there has been considerable confusion and debate the exact percentage training should be reduced by.

Advocates of tapering suggest that the best way to counter this is for there to be strong communication between a swimmer and their coach throughout the tapering period.

BLK1 Article: JUSTIN MACDONALD

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