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/ Purple Peril News
January 2007
Happy New Year!
In this feature:
  • Debra’s Buzz
  • Membership
  • Birthdays
  • Dates for 2007
  • Nationals 2007
  • Accommodation for Nationals
  • Transport to Nationals
  • The Purple Fairy
  • FAQ about Nationals
  • Notable Concepts about Nationals
  • Dates for Nationals 2007
  • Wahoo War Gear
  • Wahoo Aquatic Centre
  • Clinics
  • Your Committee
/ Debra’s Buzz
A New Year filled with new expectations and new resolutions has begun!!!
With Nationals in March being so close, ie in Sasolburg, it will be possible for all Wahooligan’s to resolve to experience the major event on the masters swimming calendar. Not just for the super-fit, Nationals is an opportunity to ease into the world of swimming and once you’ve been to your first Nationals you’ll see that swimming can be fun! Most ‘newies’ (Masters Nationals first-timers) will tell you that the experience is amazing and is all about you and your personal best. Races are swum as timed finals so all us oldies don’t have to go through the agony of heats – thank goodness! Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age group, commonly known amongst Wahooligans as ‘bling’ (gold) and ‘tin (silver and bronze).’ And each Wahooligan will definitely earn their very own nickname!
Most Wahooligans like to ‘go away’ for Nationals and are staying at venues close by, as detailed later in the newsletter, for the duration of the gala. But, with Sasolburg being within driving distance those who just cannot take three days leave will be able to drive through for the day.
Because there is so much to talk about with regards to Nationals, this is a ‘large’ newsletter. If you have any questions about Nationals that aren’t covered please don’t hesitate to ask me or one of the committee members. You don’t have to do this alone!
I would encourage all Wahooligans to participate at Nationals, in the pool and out, it could be the experience of your life!
El Presidente
/ Membership
WOW!! - Our registered membership is now 106!
We would love to get to our goal of 110, so get your friends and family to join!
A Warm welcome to..
Albert Pos, Mervyn Miller, Mutheu Mbevi, Katrin Packham, Sharon Ball, John Norman, Lalla Alexander and Ross Alexander (no relation to Lalla, I think)
Welcome to the Wahooligan Family!
Still time to Register!
If you still have not done so, you can still register up to the 27 January! And then go to Nationals!

/ Member’s Birthdays

/ Important Dates for 2007
Date / Event / Notes
16 Jan 2007 / Last day to order Sasol Nationals 2007 Kit
20 Jan 2007 / Deadline to order your Wahoo War Gear:
/ Costumes, Parkas, Hooded Tops, bags and towels – you don’t have to order everything but need to show the Purple Presence! If you are unable to pay on this day, you can make arrangements to transfer the funds at the end of the month
20 Jan 2007 / 6 Hours Endurance Gala / Make up teams of 4 swimmers to swim 6 for hours. Reach the longest distance in this time to win. Wahoo is the defending Champion.
Let Bobbie know if you would like to form part of a team.
27 Jan 2007 / Last Date of Registration for 2006/2007 season / -You can hand your Registration Form( in order to swim at Nationals)at Old Eds Gala
Last day to Fax or Hand your Nationals Entry forms to Bobbie & Pay (1) National Entry and (2). 50% deposit** on Accommodation. Payment must be done before or on this date. / - You can give it to Bobbie at the Old Eds Gala. Payment can be done any day before, please bring proof of payment or fax.
27 Jan 2007 / Old Eds/Florida Gala* / LC Gala
4 Feb 2007 / Phoenix Gala* / LC Gala
6 Feb 2007 / Relays for Nationals drafted / Based on your times swum at the previous 2 galas marked with a *
20 Feb 2007 / Tshwane Champs Day 1 / LC Gala
24 Feb 2007 / Tshwane Champs Day 2 / LC Gala
3 Mar 2007 / Inter Regional Leg 2 / LC Gala
4 Mar 2007 / Start and Turns Clinic
and Pre-Nationals Party:
-  Collect your Wahoo War Gear
-  Pay Balance of accommodation
-  Finalise Transport to Sasol
-  Finalise Relays
-  Organise Clothes for Dinner/Dance
-  Meet Team Captains
-  Meet Purple Fairy / You need to attend to get all your kit for Nationals. Please order your Wahoo War Gear from Nadia on or before 20 January and collect on this day.
Please note that no Wahoo Gear will be for sale in Sasolburg
14 to 17 March 2007 / Nationals 2007 / Can we improve on our 4th place from last Nationals?
*Please swim a 50 meter Freestyle and 50 meter of another stroke (of your choice) at one of these galas. These times will help us to compile the relay teams for Nationals
** Payment can be done before due date. In such an event, please fax proof of payment to 086 610 9393
Upcoming Galas
The best way to prepare for Nationals is to do Galas and our Clinics! Please see an explanation of the galas below. See info on the Clinics further below.
20 January 2007: 6 Hour Endurance, Kempton Park: This is food for the people that like the endurance/longer events. Make up teams of 4 to get maximum distance in 6 hours. If you would like to take part and you are not part of a team yet, please contact Bobbie.
27 January 2007: Old Eds/Florida Gala, Ellis Park: Entry forms has been mailed already and are also available on the SAMS website. If you are unable to download it, please give Bobbie a call. He will gladly mail it to you.
4 February 2007: Phoenix Gala, Sasolburg: This gala will take place at the pool where Nationals will be held. A great way to get used to the conditions.
20 & 24 Feb 2007: Tshwane Champs, Hillcrest Pool, Pretoria: The Tshwane Champs take place over 2 days. On the Tuesday, the longer events (200 meters and longer) is held, and on the Saturday, the shorter events (200 meters and shorter) will be offered.
3 March 2007: Inter Regionals (Leg 2), Ellis Park: Gauteng is lying a distant second behind Tshwane after the first Inter Regionals This is our chance to make up the deficit. Be there in numbers!
This is also the last gala before Nationals
14 to 17 March 2007: SA Masters National Championship, Sasolburg: The one not to be missed. You don’t need to qualify (only be a member of a Master’s Club), and is a great way to make friends and have fun. If it is your first time, I would highly advise that you go
Swimming Clinics
The Swimming Clinics are held at the Wahoo Aquatics Centre in Sunninghill under the guidance of a coach. More Clinics will be scheduled and you will be notified as such.
Cost: R40-00 (payable to the coach, on the day)
Time: 09h00 – 10h30 on selected Sundays
Date: Clinic:
Sunday 4 March Starts and Turns
/ Nationals 2007: 14 – 17 March 2007
This is the highlight of the season, and runs from 14 to 17 March. The Open Water event is held on 18 March.
If it is you first time, take the plunge! It may seem daunting, but it is great fun and a great way to set a benchmark for yourself. You can then improve on these times to Nationals 2008 in Durban!
Wahoo MSC has improved steadily over the years.
In 2004 we were 7th, 2005 we were 5th and in 2006 we came 4th.
Is 2007 the year when we crack the top 3? For us to achieve that, we need to compete in numbers and each swimmer doing 6 individual events.
The admin: Please get your 2 entry forms in before 27 January 2007.
You can either fax it to 086 610 9392, or hand it to Bobbie.
You can find the 2 forms on the SAMS website (www.samastersswimming.com) or you can email Bobbie on to send it to you
Relays for Nationals
In order to compile relays for Nationals, we need your actual times for 50 meter events. Please compete at the Old Eds/Florida Gala on 27 January or the Phoenix Gala on 4 February. Swim a 50m of freestyle and each of your other favourite strokes.
The relay teams will de drafted by 6 February, based on the times swum at the galas mentioned.
You do, however, still have a chance to improve your times at the Tshwane Champs (24 February) the Inter- Reginald’s (3 March) or ask for a time-trial at the Starts and Turns clinic (4 March). The relays teams will then be finalised.
We would like (as far as possible) let everyone compete in every relay. That means you will compete in 4 relays. Each person swims 50 meters.
The relays are 4 X 50 Free, 4 X 50 Free Mixed (2 Men and 2 Women), 4 X 50 Medley (Back, Breast, Fly and Free) and 4 X 50 Medley Mixed.
The relays form a crucial part in racking up the points for our team placing!
Accommodation for Nationals 2007
Accommodation for Wahooligans has been arranged at two venues. Please see the prices and details below:
1. Riverside Hotel – on the banks of the Vaal, 10km drive from the pool.
R 668.00 per room per night sharing, i.e. R334 per person per night sharing.
Sleeping 4 nights at the Riverside Hotel, the total will come to R1336 per person
You need to pay a deposit of R668 before or on 27 January.
2. Abrahams rust Resort – on the banks of the Vaal opposite the Riverside Hotel, 8km drive from the pool.
Chalets – Small – 3 beds R 200 per night (3 available) – R66,67 per person per night
Large – 6 beds (has a double bed, two single and two bunks – will really only sleep 4) R 250 per night (12 available) – thus R62,50 per person per night if 4 people are sharing
Sleeping 4 nights at Abrahams Rust (in a Large Unit), the total will be R250 per person.
A deposit of R125 will be required before or on 27 January.
You will then pay the balance at the Pre-Nationals Party before or on 4 March 2007.
(If you do pay before 4 March, please fax proof of payment to 086 610 9392)
If you haven’t already done so, please let Helen or Debbie know urgently where you would like to stay and if you would like to share (and possibly who you would like to share with). Then please confirm your booking by paying your 50% deposit before or on the 27th January. If you do pay before 27 January, please fax proof of payment to 086 610 9392.
.Transport for Nationals 2007
A number of Wahooligans who are travelling through to Sasol daily would like to share transport costs to Sasolburg. Please let Bobbie know if you are going to take your car and are willing to offer transport, or if you require transport. Transport schedules will be finalised at the Pre-Nationals Party on 4 March at Wahoo Aquatics.
The Purple Fairy (and the Spirit Trophy)
Our muse and team-spirit motivator, The Purple Fairy, will be introduced at the Pre-Nationals Party on 4 March at Wahoo Aquatics. She will need your help for Wahoo to retain the Spirit Trophy which we so deservedly won last Nationals! She will teach us some songs (war cries!) to encourage our team mates in the pool and drive the other Clubs crazy!
Team Captains for Nationals 2007
Every year lady and gentleman captains are elected to represent the Wahooligans at Nationals. They will also be responsible for making sure that all relay swimmers know which heat and lane their relays are. Also, together with the rest of the committee they will try and make sure that everyone is happy!!!! Club captains will be announced at the Pre-Nationals Party on the 4th March.
Dress for Nationals 2007 Dinner-Dance
The final social function of Nationals is a themed dinner–dance and awards ceremony on the Saturday evening. When the swimming is all finished so you can really PARTY.! Each club takes part in a procession into the venue showing off their interpretation of the theme. This year the theme is “All That Jazz”.
One suggestion is that Wahoo go as representatives of the Jazz ‘Flapper’ Era, a description of which follows: "They're all desperadoes, these kids, all of them with any life in their veins; the girls as well as the boys; maybe more than the boys."--- from "Flaming Youth," by Warner Fabian
If you have any other suggestions (the crazier the better) please let us know!


Web Links
www.samastersswimming.com
www.openswim.co.za
www.swimsa.co.za
This site also has a link for Swim Challenge Series.