Charlie’s Story
Anyone who knows me knows I love swimming. Most of my colleagues think I'm obsessed and most of my friends are swimming buddies. What is less obvious is that I am not actually very good at swimming, or, shall we say, I am only just learning to swim properly at the age of 33....
The BlackSwim
It’s one of those things that sounds like a good idea at the time. Dreamed up by Jeremy Laming of http://henleyswim.com/ the BlackSwim held on the summer Solstice weekend , the longest day or in Jeremy’s mind the shortest night. Perfect for an all night swim down the Thames. The swim participation was invite only. A small group, all with previous long distance and cold water experience. ...
Reflections
Seated at 36,000 feet above the Pacific… a perfect opportunity to reflect on another summer of open water swimming in New Zealand. The sport continues to grow phenomenally. New Zealand’s biggest open water swim series, The State Ocean Swim Series saw record numbers of swimmers. The State Epic Swim New Zealand championships in Taupo also had a fantastic turn out. From a personal perspective the amount of new comers taking to the open water and experienced swimmers seeking new challenges provides encouragement for the sport....
Inaugural 10km Swim
Easter weekend saw the addition of the 2014 Inaugural Auckland Central Masters Marathon (10km) swim http://www.aucklandharbourswims.org.nz/ Run not for profit but for participation. This first event was limited to 63 competitors with plenty of unlucky swimmers left on the waiting list. Three days before Auckland was hit by one of the worst storms in living memory. Not the ideal build up, especially if you are the race director. Luckily he already had the grey hair. Not ideal but acceptable conditions greeted organisers and participants on 19 April. For me the interesting factors in this swim were the relaxed atmosphere, swim first, race second. And there...
Swim or Hibernate?
As the Northern Hemisphere emerges from the winter darkness the Southern Hemisphere enters its ‘cool’ time. For many of us winter does not conjure up excitement when it comes to swimming. Extra time under covers, hot soup and additional clothes are more ‘realistic’ images. One therefore can seriously pose the question, is winter the time to keep swimming or to enjoy some well-earned rest time? Winter swimming is the perfect time to hit the pool and revise and improve technique, connect with a swim group and add that social element to your swimming. It is a super time to build fitness ready for spring. We can...
Quail Island Swim
Quail Island is in Christchurch’s Lyttleton Harbour, directly out from our jewel of a beach in a Nor East wind; Corsair Bay. As soon as I entered the water I felt the thrill of open water swimming as you swim “straight” across to Quail island; unless of course you swim like me and realise that you may be swimming to South America! I pop my head up and correct my course taking in the scenery which confirms Yes it is beautiful and Yes I am in the middle of a historic volcanic crater. ...
La Grande
On Saturday 22 Feb the 4th round of the State NZ Ocean Swim Series was held in the historic French and British settlement of Akaroa. Nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano the village is only 75km from the city of Christchurch but with is quaint sleepy galleries, craft stores and cafes set on the harbour front you feel miles from anywhere and instantly chilled and relaxed. The date of the 22 Feb was also significant in that it was the 3rd anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes that claimed 182 lives. A minute of silence was held in remembrance. The day started extremely promising with...
Epic Round-Up
Each January at Lake Taupo, New Zealands best gather for the Oceania 5 and 10km Open water Swim Championships. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are invited to share the weekend with the elite swimmers in what has become known as Epic Swim. Epic swim events include 500M, 1km, 2.5km, 5km and 10km. Five minutes after the elite 5 and 10km swim race has begun the Epic swims start and swimmers of all ages get to enjoy Open Water competitive swimming in one of New Zealands most beautiful and the largest fresh water lake....
Water Safety in New Zealand
The closure of over 300 NZ school pools in the last decade is a sad reflection of the times. A pool will always lose when it comes to accounting based decision making because it often takes up a significant amount of zero's on a budget. Unfortunately there is no column for social impact on an accountants report; health and well-being from obesity through to drownings are all actual outcomes for closing a school pool. ...
Dealing With The Masses
It is one of the most voiced concerns open water swimmers raise when discussing open water swim racing; the mass start. It can be a daunting, scary, physical experience....