We have kicked off summer with great swim conditions. Stunning blue skies and water temperatures around the 20 degrees. First of all I would like to welcome our newest Freestylers Alan, Sita, Fraser, Elizabeth, Carl, Catherine, Oscar, Jayla, Darren, Laila, Dustin, Julian, Shelley, Richard, Geoff, Krista , Cathy and Allison. This weather brings all swimmers out into the ocean and it is good to see how many swimmers are ready to work and improve on their open water skills. With summer arriving we also face more challenging conditions as the wind and swells are much stronger. The great thing about Manly is that there is always a calm stretch of water in either Cabbage tree bay or at Manly cove. I have been receiving great notes where the results are paying off for the efforts being put in. Sometimes I am as nervous for the results as the swimmers are. So rewarding when I receive the text " I beat my last years time by 15 minutes" that is what we are all about.....results. It does not matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or advance swimmer what matters is that you want to move forward in technique, endurance and pace.
I am also pleased with how our Juniors are performing. Some great results have been made over the last months by Sam, Nicolo, Ruby, Ayla, Cameron, Murray, Jayla, Ashlee, Zara and Julian, Julian even came first in the 25 m sprint at his school carnival and Ruby, Ayla & Jayla have been doing some great distances. Sam and Nicolo are getting closer and closer to the 1 km mark per session. Keep pushing boys and girls
Swimming in new environments can be so cool as I have started training in the Manly dam with Shelley who is competing next week in Canberra Triathlon. Being in this freshwater reservoir is just magical, it is so quiet there but you here tons of bush noises. The water is silky soft and exceptionally clean. I am also swimming with some juniors in rock pools at high tide which turns them into a washing machine and fun conditions for them to face.
If you are in the Manly area and have time on Wednesday mornings there is a community beach clean up where we clean Manly cove it starts at 9.30 you would be shocked to see how much we collect weekly. Please spread awareness that we can't treat our oceans like a dumping ground. If you smoke a cigarette take your butt ;-) with you!
I am also excited to start working on Patrol 3 from MLSC where we protect the swimmers in the busy summer months. Whenever you hit the beach ensure you play by the rules of the men and women of Surf Life saving Australia, so swim between the flags and listen to the signals they are giving. I also agreed to do a three month trial to coach the Manly Masters swimming club. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the beach!
Happy swimming everyone!
Mark
Happy swimming everyone!
Mark
