“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

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

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.

> > SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM PARTICULAR ARTICLES, READ MORE INFORMATION AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

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

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

The pavilion at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival was standing room only. The crowd had been kept waiting a little under half an hour, and were welcomed by a cheeky television personality grabbing voice pops from the designers seated in the front row. Usually when the lights go out at a catwalk show, the tone in the room is very serious. This was not the case at the Summer Holiday session. Jokes about mankinis and male-kaftans were made and the crowd that had been kept waiting in the claustrophobic pavilion had been brought back down to earth.

Jets By Jessika Allen was the debut parade for the Summer holiday series. It was a surprise to see a shift away from the usual strong cuts and nautical looks of this swimwear label. Usually, Jets By Jessika Allen is famous for the classic nostalgia it brings back to swimwear- but this time on the catwalk, the Modern Muse Collection all but did away with this tradition. The cuts were a lot softer this season, many of the costumes featured frills and (very puzzlingly) some of the models were seen to carry clutches that were traditional to evening wear. After a few minutes of seeing what could be purchased at David Jones the room slid into silent darkness. Clever light-sound technology stimulated the feeling of a aeroplane landing just outside the hangar. This signalled the new arrival of the Jets Menswear collection, which had never been seen on runways before. The Jets Menswear collection was a bipolar opposite to Borat’s Mankini. The Jets Menswear is a collective of boy leg trunks and patterns which complimented this seasons women’s wear. In the end, the Jets range was all about the women. The clutches suddenly made sense when the kaftans were unveiled. The Kaftans of Jets by Jessika Allen could be easily mistaken as glamorous cocktail-wear, reminding the audience that while the label has grown to take monopoly of the hi-fashion swimwear market in Australia it is still focussed on feminine summertime splendour.

Flamingo Sands followed Jets. While Jets can be worn by all ages, Flamingo Sands is definitely a young label because of it’s bright and busy prints. The thin string bikini’s brought about memories of hot, humid days spent on the beach in Surfer’s Paradise.

As always, Camilla was the Kaftan Queen. Models were marched down the catwalk in flowing fabrics, posing just at the end in a flutter of colourful fabric, the likes of which drew a direct parallel to a butterfly. Prints on the fabrics were blended between palm leaves, tropical flowers and animal prints- with every kaftan showing a mixture of all these Summer conventions.

Kooey is a very Australian name for a swimwear label and the didgeridoo instrumental that started the display made it clear that they are damn proud of it. The Australian pride was carried strongly in the colours of the one-piece costumes which reflected the desert climate. A closer look on their website showed that they also stock the all-aussie rashie and female boardies. However, what was seen tonight on the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival was definitely glamorous and with the frills and hugging cuts, showed an influence taken from the Jets design.

For all of the five minutes White Sands were on the catwalk, the label showed that they were
able to re-invent themselves and the typical expectancies of swimwear to create a delightful collection for Summer 2009. The highlight of the White Sands show was the Southern Summer bikini print which displayed an embossed palm leaf against a solid-cut bikini and one-piece design. When palm leafs are thought of in the world of swimwear, they resemble a tacky plastic image that people try to look away from. White Sands managed to recreate this symbol to be something of intrigue and style.

Lenny was the last swimwear designer to showcase their wears on the Summer Holiday runway. It could be said that they were the most original. Instead of drawing inspiration from Goddess-like forms and divine Summer settings, the Lenny designers decided to focus on the Serpent and the colours of the earth and the water. Soft browns and cool blues showed the meeting of the water and the earth, while the scattered scales of the prints kept the serpent motif slithering strongly.

The Summer Holiday Display finished in a confusing manner. Models plodded to the end of the catwalk, to brief applause and then a Rosemount advertisement began to flood the aural atmosphere- but it was cut- the houselights then turned on and the crowed tent was left unsure whether to stand and leave the pavilion or whether each designer would send models out to gain a round of applause. Perhaps there was some kind of technical difficulty with the audio-visual order of things or perhaps the one-time showcases of each designer was all that was needed to leave the spectators in awe.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO CURRENT BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE ON RELEASE OF IMAGES.

Images and Article: © 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

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO CURRENT BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE ON RELEASE OF IMAGES.

 © BLK1 2009. All Rights Reserved.

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

> > SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM PARTICULAR ARTICLES, READ MORE INFORMATION AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

BLK1 Model. BLK1 Swimsuit photo shoot. Photographer: Peter Sollner

A luxurious Roman villa dating back to 320 CE, The Villa Romana del Casale is adorned with statutes, wall paintings and beautiful mosaics. Between the Corridor of the Great Hunt and the Hall of Orpheus and through the ante-chamber, there is a room featuring mosaics of ten young women. The woman on the far left of the room is holding hand-weights, another young woman is about to swing a discus and two young women are embraced in a heated running competition. In the centre of the mosaic is the winner clad in golden mantle, with a palm leaf in her left hand and a rose crown adorning her temple. The geometric mosaic derives its fame not from the decorative lining of the coloured guilloches or the athletic motifs of the early Roman era but from the bikini-style costumes framing the girls’ lithe bodies. Part early-eroticism, part-historical ornamentation, the bikini-clad girls pay homage to a bygone era, whilst reminding us that this era may nevertheless have been a tad ahead of our time.

Much has been written about the swimsuit, whether in the style of the bikini or one-piece, as this simple piece of fabric holds up a mirror to the society that we have moulded. What distinguishes the swimsuit from other garments is that it represents a direct measure of what society is willing to tolerate in terms of exposure of the body. The evolution of swimwear represents more than just shifting expectations. It stands as somewhat of a cultural zeitgeist, representing the ethical and political climate of an era.

The 19th Century represented an era of reserved dignity, with women often wearing dresses for bathing, accompanied by knee length pants underneath. It was also common for women to wear tights and boots in the water. Swimwear at this time was characterised largely by conservatism and modesty, with a focus away from the body, with loose fitting and covered garments. The removal of boots to reveal the knee is one of the first signs of a more relaxed attitude to swimwear.

The 1920s represented somewhat of a cultural shift in terms of liberating the woman’s body. The long dresses were replaced with figure-hugging wool jersey tank suits. The bathing suits were cut off mid-thigh, inching the wandering eye just a tad higher, and the swimsuit was fitted with built-in modesty pants.  A bathing cap in the style of a cloche hat was a popular accompaniment to the latest swimsuit.

The 1930s represented a departure from the somewhat androgynous silhouette of the 1920s. Cotton printed bathing suits with over-skirts were the new style and the 1930s garnered a greater focus on the commercialisation of swimwear as a reflection of popular fashion and style. Musical films of the era featuring synchronised swimming and stars like Esther Williams propelled a risk-pushing new suit, with bikini up top but a longer and more covered bottom. There was a noticeable shift toward a more liberal interpretation of the one-piece, although certain social sectors such as the Catholic Women’s League continued to advocate for modesty, with a one-piece bathing suit covering the top of the knees. Nevertheless, the new risqué swimsuit paved the way for a lingerie-styled one-piece – the 1940s corset swimsuit.

The 1940s corset swimsuit, which largely continued in prominence throughout the 1950s and 1960s, incorporated a greater variety of swimwear fabrics, such as lined cotton, stretch latex and nylon. The new swimsuits were designed to flatter the female figure with tummy control panels, bra cups for additional support and extra side boning to contour an hourglass physique and to hide flaws.

2008 Black one-piece swimsuit

Unbeknownst to French engineer Louis Réard in 1946, the bikini, which has existed in some form since 320 CE, was at the time heralded as a ground-breaking invention that would shape and shift cultural expectations of modesty and revive the sexuality of the modern female. The invention of the bikini caused such a stir that it was compared with the gravity of the first atomic bomb test the same year on the Bikini Atoll – an atoll consisting of 36 Micronesian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is from this historical source that the bikini derives its name.

The 1960s saw the introduction of Lycra women’s swimwear and an increased focus on fabric texture, in particular a focus on swimwear that provides for stretch and pull. Although pleated over-skirts remained in style, the one-piece had to be continually revived to compete with its two-piece competitor. The legs of the swimsuit were often cut higher and straight across to make for a more attractive figure. The 1960s one-piece was heralded as the swimsuit for all shapes and sizes for its comfort and modesty. A later version, such as the Gottex one-piece, accommodates for individual cup sizes and includes control tummy panels to provide maximum support and coverage. The Gottex V-Neck one-piece is particularly flattering for apple-shaped women with a larger bust and thicker waistline and is high-cut to accentuate leaner and longer legs. Gottex showcased its 2007 50th Anniversary Couture collection at ECQ Terrace in Sydney, with a stunning exhibition of custom-made swim corsets, bejeweled detailing and even a bridal piece set. The extravagant collection had catapulted the one-piece swimsuit well into the realm of hi-fashion couture.

1973 saw the introduction of the World Championships for swimming and competitive swimming finally got a firm-fitting one-piece that provided for greater agility in the swimming pool. Competitive swimwear has continued to develop over the years, with the latest invention of the Speedo LZR skin suit acting as a full-bodied water repellent. Some celebrate the LZR suit as innovative design technology; whilst others deride it as “tech doping” and complain that since national teams are often sponsored by manufacturers, nations sponsored by Speedo are gaining an unfair advantage. Representatives for Speedo have acknowledged that the suit improves drag resistance by up to 10% and increases oxygen efficiency by 5%. There appears to be some validity to the “tech doping” accusations, since at the 2008 World Championships in Manchester, 8 of the 9 world record breakers were wearing the latest hi-tech Speedo suits.

Whatever your opinion on the latest design technology, one thing is for certain – the swimsuit has moved well beyond its humble beginnings and stands today not only as a measure of sexual revolution but as a measure of human progress.

BLK1 Article:NADA MARTINOVIC  Photographer: TORU YAMANAKA/FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES/YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/CARLO ALLEGRI/MARK MAINZ

> > SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM PARTICULAR ARTICLES, READ MORE INFORMATION AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Images: © AFP 2008 /2009/ 2010 Article: © BLK1 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Courtney Atkinson, Male winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Defending champion, the Gold Coast’s Courtney Atkinson, has once again won
the Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships beating home rival Brisbane’s
Dan Wilson in a stunning sprint to the line in Hobart this afternoon.

In amazing finish, it was an exact repeat of the 2008 championship final,
right down to the time margin split of a mere second. As they pushed each
other to victory, Atkinson broke the tape in 55m30s with the 23 year old
Wilson a hair’s breadth behind in 55m31s. Teenager, 19 year old Josh
Amberger from Brisbane, who led the national field of 19 men out of the
opening 750m swim leg, finished 3rd.

The 20km bike leg saw a pack of nine tick off with precision the eight lap
course, from Hobart’s dockside to Battery Point, before entering transition,
when the real race began.

The experienced Atkinson darted from transition but Wilson was determined
not to let him go, and shot out behind him. The two ran neck at neck at 3
minute run pace over the 5km city street leg, racing for the last kilometre
as if they were in a final sprint. Despite surges from the two to try and
breakaway, the race came down the final 50 metres, when Atkinson in a final
lunge secured victory.

It was Atkinson’s fourth national sprint title and for the Beijing Olympian,
the win kicked off his 2009 campaign in style. But it was a race for
Atkinson to even get to the start line. His flight from the Gold Coast was
cancelled last night, and the Gold Coaster took a Sunday morning plane that
saw him land in Hobart just two hours before the race and at the race
precint, 10 minutes before the start gun.

Courtney Atkinson, Male winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championship

“I loved that today,” said an elated Atkinson after the win. “I loved the
pace of the race and the battle with Dan. It was worth coming here for
that, and in fact it was very worthwhile for me to have to race at such pace
and with such intensity.

“It is very very early in the season for me and I have only been training
for about a month. It was a lot of hard work, the pace was on and it was
probably a bit above what I am doing, but it was a good start.

“You know, there’s always a little doubt in your mind, and with a hundred
metres today, there was a big doubt!!

“But the years of experience, the hard racing, got me home. I like being in
those situations, but Dan should be proud of himself, he’s improved a lot .”

For Wilson, it was a disappointment to come in 2nd again, but rewarding to
know he was keeping pace with the world class Atkinson.

“It was close again, another really exciting finish, but he (Atkinson)
didn’t flinch,” said Wilson.

“I was so close, but so far. You know I think it would have been easier to
lose by 30 seconds, but that is racing.”

RESULTS:
Australian Triathlon Sprint Championship – MENS Hobart – Sunday February 15 2009:
1. Courtney Atkinson (Gold Coast – QLD)
55m 30 s
2. Daniel Wilson (Brisbane – QLD)
55m 31s
3. Josh Amberger (Brisbane – QLD)
56m 09s

BLK1 Article: TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

BLK1 Pay-Per-View Back Issue Article

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. HOWEVER REGISTER NOW AS A “FREE” BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER, LOGIN, RETURN TO THIS POST AND PAY A SMALL FEE TO READ/VIEW THIS BLK1 BACK ISSUE ARTICLE.  FEE WILL BE SHOWN WHEN LOGGED IN AS A FREE BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER. 

Article: © TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA  2008. All rights reserved.

Image: © BLK1 2008. All Rights Reserved.