Another Fun Weekend of Swimming

Cottesloe to Swanbourne Beach 2200 metres

We are so lucky to have the choice of many swim events - published in the Open Water Swims Calender, collated by Masters Swimming WA.

Saturday 7th Feb. we participated in the 24th Annual Cottesloe to Swanbourne Ocean Classic, organised by the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club.

One of my favourite swims - it was calm, a little cloudy and the water crystal clear. Max and I left our car at the event finish and walked the scenic ocean path to Cottesloe where approximately 300 swimmers gathered for registrations.

A mass water start commenced at the Cottesloe groyne and a straight swim was enjoyed over some scattered reef and weed for 2.2km to the finish line at Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC.

A simply magical swim!

Cottesloe SLSC - Start of swim

View from Cottesloe SLSC - around the bend is finishing line at Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC

Myself and a number of other "Rotto" solo/team swimmers decided to swim back to Cottesloe for extra training ... a nice and gentle pace on a beautiful day, its great to be alive. My time for 2.2km was timed at 30:52 sec.

After presentations, we travel south to Busselton for the:

ILUKA Busselton Jetty Swim - Sunday 8th Feb '09.

It was a pleasure to have the company of Shelley Hatton for the 200km drive to Busselton where we settled in our accommodation, a very comfortable self-contained chalet situated near the ocean and walking distance to the start of the Jetty swim.

This swim aims to celebrate the local icon and heritage, the Busselton Jetty - for people to participate in an ocean swim and encourage personal fitness. The event attracts novice, experienced and elite swimmers of all ages and ability.

Starting point of swim

A record field of approximately 1400 swimmers registered for the swim from the region and metropolitan area. Around 5000 spectators were there to cheer on the swimmers from either the beach start or viewed the entire course from the Busselton Jetty.

Spectators watch on as a wave of swimmers commence their swim

Swimmers started in six groups, 2 minutes apart - 4 waves for individual swimmers followed by first swimmer for duo teams and first swimmer for three person team.

As an individual swimmer I started in wave A. It was a little cramped at the beginning but swimmers soon thinned out and found their 'space' leading up to the end of the Jetty. Turning around to swim back I found myself alone. Hey! where have all the swimmers gone? It would have been great to have at least one swimmer to pace with, no such luck, so it was just me and my breathing - and schools of small fish on the ocean bed to amuse me. Not for long though, swimming up to the red buoys, swimmers came from every direction. hmmm, maybe I was too far south, but the huge silver marker buoys were always just in front of me!?! Well, finishing with a mob of other swimmers made me sprint, just a little. The finishing clock showed 58:45. I was delighted to have gone under the hour.

Spectators and swimmers at finishing line

Completing the 3.6km swim

Receiving a trophy for age group winner - the trophy is made out of wood, Busselton Jetty wood.

Max and I have participated in 12 of the 14 Busselton Jetty swims and once again our sincere thanks to the many volunteers who gave freely of their time and who did a magnificent job making the event run safely and smoothly!

Just keep swimming - a breathtaking experience

Australia Day Long Weekend of Swimming

Two swimming events suddenly became three!

At first I was looking forward to the 10km "Rotto Rehearsal" swim on Sunday, but when the coach says we also do the 5km swim event the day before, I gulped and thought this was a little too much as the Australia Day 2km swim was scheduled on the Monday holiday and I would like to swim for a good time! Holiday?!

OK - ok..... lets give them all a good go. Well, I surprised myself by completing the three events. Does this mean that mental things are happening at last, "sort of" falling into place? Hmmm.....Please!

The 5km swim on Saturday morning was in choppy but warm conditions and I finished in good spirits with a time of 1 hour 26 mins. The Blue Seventy swim suit I wore felt great at the beginning but by the finish I had a nasty, red abrasion on the neck. Ouch!

One event down, two to go .... without the Blue Seventy suit and a rather sore neck.

5km female over 50yr winners - Myself (G) Judy Grieves (S) Kathy Phillips (B) with Shelley Taylor-Smith - presenter of medals for Swimming WA

Next day the 10km event for myself and most swimmers was a qualifying, rehearsal swim for the 19.2km Rottnest Channel crossing coming up in approximately three weeks time. This is an opportunity to swim along side your paddler and make sure you have your feeding and drinks right. My first stop - 1 hour when Ian Clarke (my paddler) handed a mouthful of banana and a carbohydrate drink. Next stop - 1/2 hour when I tried a carbo shot previously mixed with the correct amount of water. Yummy, nice and sweet in a somewhat salty mouth... It was choppy from the commencement of this swim and when the sea breeze came in, the choppier the ocean became making it more of a challenge and greater training - wearing ordinary Speedo bathers.

My other feeds were 1/2 hour intervals and at the last feed break, I heard my name being called .... it was Karen, Tony Parbery's wife/paddler yelling out 'go Carrol go' ... Yikes! its Tony who trains with me and member of the Barracudas Club, he's right behind me.... I nearly choked on my feed, 'get a move on Carrol' !*! I muttered to myself. Whew, with a bit more swimming effort I just finished "the rehearsal" in front.... Hey! it's not a race you guys.....or, more like ... its not a race Carrol!

After swimming the 5km swim the day before, I completed this 10km swim feeling comfortable in 3 hours 12 mins. My main weakness is mental toughness and I am always learning how to make it happen without draining my mind. To focus on the 'here and now' and not on the entire swim all at once. I practised allowing positive mantras into my thinking and not to let myself think about all the other things I need to do today. Remember .... "Here and Now". Swim from feed to feed.....okay, now swim to the next buoy....okay, and so on.

The good things about my swim:

• Carbohydrate drink works
• Carbo Shotz with correct water measurement works
• Mantras works
• Thinking of the 'here and now' works
• Having a positive state of mind works
• Just swim from feed to feed works
• Use of long, strong strokes works
• A great paddler to direct and feed me during swim definitely works

I continue to find things that need work on:

• Feed stops to be more efficient
• Swallow less salt water when swimming
• Have a song in my head
• Strengthen my rotator cuffs
• Don't worry about how much further I have to swim
• To believe in myself more & more
• Use imaginary tools
• Be Calm, Confident and Comfortable in the water
• Break swim into mentally, manageable segments and confront one piece at a time - a must!
• Continue a well balanced nutritional eating plan
• Relax and enjoy the beauty of open water

and ... to make the effort to improve on them all with fun and passion.

I am extremely lucky to have a great paddler. Ian Clarke has many years of experience paddling/ski-ing with Surf Life Saving Clubs in West Australia and is also a great competitor in the States August weekend Avon Decent event. His father, Graham Clarke (Clarky) has previously been my paddler and has been my 'boatie' for many years during the Rottnest Channel Swim. What a team ... the best.

Oh. dear - is that me with paddler Ian Clarke

Water Corporation OWS Series #5

Organised by Swimming WA
Venue: Sorrento Beach

24th January '09 - Saturday

1.25km/5km events (includes SWA State Champs.)

Start & finish of 1.2km & 5km event

25th January '09 - Sunday

2.5km/10km events (includes SWA State Champs.)
Combined with: Rottnest Channel Swim Association - "Rotto Rehearsal"

Hey! that's our coach, Pauline Pratt. Is she hiding behind the finish flag to make sure we complete all swims?

26th January '09 -

Happy Australia Day!

The 19th Annual Australia Day Open Water Swim - 2km

Venue: Scarborough Beach

Presented by Carine AUSSI Masters Swimming Club (Inc)

What an excellent way to begin Australia Day. In fact, Max and I have been involved in this special day swimming the Australia day Open Water Swim Thru for the past 18 years. Max has been the event's organiser for as many years.

Brief Event Background

In 1990 Australia Day Council met with Carine AUSSI Masters Swimming club to arrange a swim-thru at Matilda Bay on the Swan River to help celebrate Australia Day. The first swim was held over 1500 metres with 10 starters.

1997 saw the swim outgrow Matilda Bay and the club switched the event venue to Scarborough Beach.

The event now attracts between 300-400 swimmers each year, age categories under 15 years to over 70 years. The race is open to people of all abilities, providing they are able to swim 2 kilometres in open water.

Swimmers proceeding to starting line in the water

Mass water start - the 19th annual Australia Day Swim

The mass start commences in the water and proceeds one kilometre south of Scarboro SLSC, around two red buoys and return to finish through the banners and flags on the beach.

I finished the 2km swim with a slower time than usual - being slightly weary after the previous two days events - 5km & 10km OWS

Organiser Max Wannell - completing the prize presentations

The National Anthem is played and sung by all and other popular Australian tunes can be heard during the morning. Coffee and a sausage sizzle is available for all these great Aussie people.

~~ We are Australians ~~ We are Australians ~~

Myself, Shelley Hatton, Robyn Wilson and Tim Mather

Me (again!) with Eleanor Parsons and Lesley Croft looking on

The Australia Day Swim is presented by Carine AUSSI Masters Swimming Club (inc). Today after 18 years as Organiser, Max Wannell's retirement was announced. I am so proud of his dedication and 100% commitment to this event. Well done Max !!

A wonderful three days of swimming. It wasn't as physical or mentally stressful as first thought and I found it interesting to watch and feel how powerful the mind is on influencing the body.

Coming up

I have chosen to swim two more events before the Rottnest Channel Swim. http://www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/

• 24th Annual Cottesloe to Swanborne 2.2km http://www.swannysurfclub.org.au/
• Busselton Jetty Swim 3.6km http://www.busseltonjettyswim.org.au/

Just keep Swimming - A Breath taking Experience

Swim Thru Perth

18th January 2009 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Swim Thru Perth -

Presented by Claremont Masters Swimming Club, this historic event is the oldest open water swimming race in Australia. The 2009 Xstrata Nickel Swim Thru Perth features 2.2km and 4km swim in Perth's Swan River.

4km swim

On a warm overcast morning my husband, Max and myself competed with approximately 170 other solo swimmers in the 4km swim. The start is at Barrack Street Jetty and finishes at UWA Water Sports complex, Matilda Bay.

Preparation of The Swim Thru Perth finish line. Event course and Perth City in the background

Three buses took competitors to the start from the UWA Water Sports complex. Along the route to the swim start, people walking and driving were giving us odd and queer looks ... why? we are all sitting or standing in the buses wearing only our bathers!!

Competitors boarding buses

We all carefully waded a short distance through the muddy bed of the Swan River and swam out to the starting line just west of Barrack street jetty. Here, there is always chatter and laughter until the sound of a loud hooter is heard, then with shouts and plenty of hands and feet splashing, we all commenced the 90th Anniversary Swim Thru Perth.

As instructed during the event briefing, we stayed close to the Northern foreshore and about 1km down the river swam through the Northern opening under the 'Narrows Bridge'. Along the way are big yellow and red buoys marking the route and at all times we must swim between them and the foreshore for safety reasons.

After swimming past the historic 'Old Brewery' (now a restaurant), I was fortunate enough to swim most of the way side by side with a swimmer who has a similar pace to mine. What a difference this makes, both of us swimming strong and pushing each other along, even through the patches of white jellyfish with stinging tentacles and big brown, saucer shaped jellyfish - thud! on the head ... thud! on the shoulder .... UGH!! (how do you spell 'manawars').

I had a trip down 'memory lane' when swimming past the exact spot where Crawley Baths used to be based. The swimming baths was the home of The City of Perth Swimming Club when I was a member and plenty of wonderful memories are still with me of great times and great swims.....

Hey! stop memorising, where's that swimmer? Oh, there he is, just a short distance in front, get going Carrol and catch him up. Nothing like memorising and talking to one's self in the middle of a race.....Hmmm.

Carrol finishing the 4km Swim Thu Perth (Time 1:04:48)

At the finish we thanked each other for the company and a great swim together, then told each other to wipe our rather dirty faces clean!

This is approximately my 20th Swim Thru Perth and one of my favourite swims. It is always well organised and I congratulate all involved for the events tremendous success over the years. Results: http://www.claremontmasters.org/

Just keep swimming - a breathtaking experience

If You Dare!

Happy New Year to all.

......and Happy Birthday to my grand-daughter Kristen-Jade .... sweet 16 on 1st Jan. 2009.

Shark Alarms
Recently there has been sightings of big grey white and hammerhead sharks swimming unusually closer to our coastline, making ocean water swimmers a little nervous and hesitant to enter the water for leisure or training swims. Some popular beaches being closed temporarily for safety reasons. The average weather forecast is 35+ degrees C. and most of the Perth population love to cool off in the ocean.

Max and I and a few friends had already made previous arrangements to start the new year with an early morning swim starting from North Cottesloe to Cottesloe and return past Nth Cottesloe SLSC to Grant Street and back. There were quite a few other swimmers already training, so with brave faces, we entered the water slower and swam closer to each other than usual! Today's weather was perfect, no breeze, warm sunshine and a calm sea which made our swim over the reef bed so clear, we could view small colourful fish and different types of seaweed flowing back and forth with the slight tide.

Cottesloe SLSC

Swimming along so peaceful, tranquilised and in my own world, when suddenly I was quickly jolted out of peacefulness. Yikes! what was that? Startled, I yelled out loud as I swam into something black and green. Wendy Smith! Wendy, wearing a black suit and green cap swimming in the opposite direction yelled out as well.......oh!....'thank God, it's only you', we echoed at the same time. Laughing, giving each other a hug and best wishes for a happy new year we then continued on....are we nervy? gulp, are we? The water and scenery continued to be magical, and swimming here never gets old or routine. Hey!! Mary-Anne, Tom, anyone, where are you...... swim closer!!!

Training area for many swimmers training for open water events

View from Cottesloe to North Cottesloe

Even with shark scares, we feel there is no better way to welcome the new year - starting off with a magical swim and yummy breakfast by the sea with wonderful friends.

Two Calender Open Water Swim events cancelled....

These were scheduled to take place this weekend - Sunset Coast Ocean Swim at Scarborough Beach and Water Corporation OWS Series #4 at Leighton Beach. Both events have been cancelled for safety reasons after consultation with the Water Police, CALM, Fisheries and Surf Life Saving WA. Sharks continue to be sighted along the coast and cancellation is in the best interest of all involved.

3rd January 2009

'Think like an Open Water Swimming Champion' Perth seminar #2

By Shelley Taylor-Smith in conjunction with Swimming WA http://www.championmindset.com.au/

I attended this seminar and it was so good to come face to face with Shelley Taylor-Smith whom I have known for approx. 20 years. I was lucky to be one of the time-keepers who clocked Shelley finishing to win the Women's 25km Long Distance Event in the Swan River. She became the World Marathon Swimming Champion gaining the gold medal at the 6th Fina World Swimming Championships in Perth on the 10th January 1991. Great memories.

Myself, Shelley Taylor-Smith and Sue Oldham

Shelley kept us motivated and focused right from the start to finish of the 'dry' and 'wet' workshops. I have been involved and experienced all varieties of open water events and still managed to pick up on special points to better my open water swimming.

Barracudda members who attended the OWS Seminar - Renee Wood, Jessica Murray, Sue Oldham and myself

As strong westerly winds were in force, the 'wet' workshop was challenging for most of us but definitely a great opportunity to put the 'tips and tools' to practice.

During the 'Wet Workshop' Practising Open Water Techniques

Just keep on swimming, a breathtaking experience

The Festive Season

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, happiness and hoping all personal dreams come true in 2009

As some family members are in Melbourne and Karratha we had a small gathering at my daughter Lorelle's place for a cold Christmas dinner of ham, chicken, prawns and crayfish (lobster) plus a variety of salads. Very tasty, followed by plum pudding, custard, cream and icecream! So glad this festive season comes around once a year, I indulge too much!

Boxing Day is for rest / sleep they say - but no, not for us ....... its more celebrations, food, birthday cake - its my eldest daughter's birthday!! Happy birthday dear Karen.

27th December

Scarborough Beach to Trigg Island and Return

A beautiful sunny day - 28 degrees C with mild to strong winds developing. My husband Max is on surf patrol during the morning for the Scarboro SLSC. This is usually an appropriate time for myself to have an open water swim as I can leave my swim bag safely in the surf patrol van.

The swim from Scarborough Beach to Trigg Island and return is approx. 4k. and is my favourite place for ocean training. Today the water is around 22 degrees and clear when swimming out past the breakers. I know when I'm swimming in front of Rendezvous Observation City Hotel as it casts a huge grey shadow over the water. As I keep swimming there are just a few small fish to be seen and plenty of board and body surfers, mostly wearing wetsuits and waiting patiently for 'the right wave' to arrive. The surfers' presence make me feel safe as I encounter six big rips making their way out to sea and also making that part of the water area very sandy and ripply to swim through. Returning from Trigg to Scarborough after a short break treading water, the wind and waves have become stronger making the time to swim back a little longer. It was a good shoulder and arm workout which will be very beneficial. Upon finishing the swim, I spent some time body surfing the waves. It's great to be alive...

View from Trigg Island to Scarborough Beach on a calm day - Rendezvous Observation City Hotel in the background approx. 2km away

A great morning. I was pleased with my solitary swim. It wasn't a long way but I felt strong, confident and pleased. Once again there were no stingers ...... so glad about this! they have a very nasty sting.

28th December

Mullaloo Beach

This is another beautiful beach north of Scarborough Beach and Trigg Island. The beach is situated in a bay and has some reef scattered in places but mostly consists of a sandy ocean bed. The sea is calmer than other Perth beaches making it a delightful place to swim and train.

Every Sunday morning at 8:30am there is always a number of swimmers gathered just north of the Mullaloo SLS Club to train for a particular open water event or just swim for the sheer fun and enjoyment. This morning four of us - Natalie, Alan, Steven and myself decided to swim to 'the point' southwards and return - approx. 5k. The other swimmers are faster and upon my arrival at 'the point' there were three heads bobbing, laughing and chatting - this is a great sport! Thanks for waiting guys. We all swam back to our starting place where Natalie and I decided to keep on swimming. The weather is hot - 36 degrees C.

The swimmers here are mainly members of Westcoast Masters Swimming Club, quite a social crowd who bring a variety of food for all to enjoy after the swim. May this good life carry on through 2009.

Just keep swimming - a breathtaking experience

OWS Series 2008 - Mullaloo Beach

Event Date 14th December 2008

Water Corporation Open Water Swim Series #3 (Includes Carolyn Burke Memorial Fundraiser) Distances of 1.25km, 2.5km & 5km.

The sun was out and not a cloud in the blue sky. Such a beautiful perfect day for open water swimming with the air temperature expected to rise to 38Degrees.
Sea temperature 22Degrees.

Mullaloo Beach

The ocean is smooth and huge orange buoys mapping out the 1.25km lap course can easily be seen. Tall flags were displayed at the finishing line.

Start and finishing line

After listening to the course briefing and applying sun block and Vaseline (just in case of stingers), approximately 250 swimmers consisting of all age groups from under 15yrs to over 50yrs of age headed out for a mass water start between two orange buoys.

The siren rang at 9am and swimmers trying to find water space between kicking feet and twirling arms headed off north in the direction of the first buoy. The orange buoys were easily seen for guidance and by the time I approached the first buoy the crowd had spread out. I was more or less left alone in the 3rd and 4th lap and could only see the odd cap or arms splashing somewhere off in the distance. I swam rather strongly into the beach, walked through the finishing flags with a timed result of 1hour 29mins. Hmm...maybe the course was a little longer than 5km !?! or I need to do more intense training...ohh!

It was a wonderful swim with very clear water, I could see small colourful fish, a few stingrays and some rugged reef scattered in some areas over the ocean bed. Usually Mullaloo beach is renowned for 'stingers' and I am thankful for only being 'kissed' once on the face over the 5km swim.

The weekly pool training must be paying off as I felt strong and confident during the four laps.

We finished a great day off by heading down to Scarborough Beach for 'Carol's by the Clock' and the brilliant fireworks display which lasted 15-20 minutes.

Some Barracudas Masters 5km successful swimmers (from left) Sue Oldham, Rory Toner , myself, Tony Parbery & Kathryn Phillips

Just keep swimming - a breathtaking experience

Koombana Bay Swim Thru 2008

Event Date - 30th November '08

Koombana Bay Swim Thru is organised by the Bunbury Masters Swimming WA club. The 1600m event starts in the water to the north of the Dolphin Discovery Centre and finishes south of the Centre.

I travelled the 120 kilometres from Perth to Bunbury in comfort, keeping Eleanor Parsons and her dog 'Chelo' company and stayed overnight at Eleanor's parents beautiful home overlooking the Bunbury Harbour.

Lately, the weather has not produced its usual summer days, however, we were lucky to have a sunny morning for the swim making Koombana Bay look beautiful with its soft, very white sand and sparkling blue sea.

After the usual course briefing, the event started in the water and was underway at 10:00am. By the time I reached the first easily sighted huge silver buoy, the swim crowd had thinned out. At this time I was able to concentrate on my stroke and rhythm. The conditions were reasonably calm, near perfect making the event very enjoyable, even if I swam most of the way without company. I finished in 22nd place with a time of 23min 20sec. The course may have been a little short but I was pleased with the result and enjoyed my first open water swim for the season. Alas, there was no sighting of my favourite sea friends....the graceful dolphin.

Snappers AUSSI Masters member, Eleanor Parsons finished in 15th position with an excellent time of 21min 40sec. Is she flying? .... Hey, wait for me Eleanor!

Bold Park Masters member, Vic Paul never ceases to amaze all by his swimming talent. At 64yrs he finished 2nd overall with an incredible time of 18.mins 49sec.

Another great open water swimmer and mentor, Barbara Pellick finished in 5th place.

A great week-end away, a great swim and so good to catch-up with great swimmers from Perth and country areas.

Koombana Bay competitors: (from left) Eleanor Parsons, Vic Paul and myself

Just keep swimming - a breathtaking experience