Tshwane Masters Swimming (TMS).

POWERSTROKE 9 Tshwane Masters News Brief

Vol.9: 29 July 2004

E-Mail: Tel/fax: 012 6674247 Cell: 072 3401255

Snooze lane: While many Tshwane masters swimmers are still in snooze lane, others are being very active indeed, either working behind the scenes preparing programmes and gala schedules or shaking out the cobwebs by doing some gym work and swimming in the odd gala.This mid-winter issue of Powerstroke hopefully brings you up to speed on swim matters of relevance and, for good measure, covers these under “swim lane” headings.

Fast lane:Congratulations and well done to Tshwane Masters (in fact, to all SA masters) for their outstanding performance at the World Champs in Riccione, Italy. Special congratulations to our own Edith and Terry for their winning performances and world records. Edith did a phenomenal 26.53s in the 50 free and Terry an equally breathtaking 2:10.90 in the 200 free! Well done,also, to Joanne Cowell for her excellent performances at the Prestige gala held earlier this month in Durban.

Busy lane: Many thanks go to Helen Lawless for all her hard work in coordinating and compiling the swim programme for the Gauteng region. This is no mean effort taking into account conflicting interests and “important” dam swim. The latest 2004/5 programme is as follows (Tshwane Masters events highlighted):

DATE / EVENT / PLACE / TIME
24th July, 2004 / GMS Gala –Winter Chall (SC) / Linden / 2pm
31st July, 2004 / Sop, Swem & Sjerrie (SC) / Bloemfontein / 2pm
28st August, 2004 ///////// / Tshwane Short Course Winter Gala / Linden / 9am
17 September., 2004 / Easterns Spring Handicap Gala (LC) / To be advised / 2pm
9th October, 2004 ////////// / Coelacanth 1500 Swim (LC) / Hillcrest / 8am
16th October, 2004 / Sun City Open Water Swim / Sun City / Am
31st October, 2004 / Sams Short Course Champs / St. Benedicts ? / 10 amSunday
7th November, 2004 / Open Water Swim / Kleinfontein? / Am
20th November, 2004/////// / Inter-Regional Gala (LC) / Hillcrest / 2pm LC
28th November, 2004 / Killer Wales GMS Gala / Mondeor / 10 amSunday
9th January, 2004 / Elden Robertson Swim / Boksburg
16th December, 2004 / Open Water Swim / ? / am Tuesday
16th January, 2005 / GMS Gala LC ? / ? / 10am
22nd January 2005 / 6 Hour Endurance Gala (LC) / KemptonPark / 8am
23rd January, 2004 / Roodeplaat Dam Swim / Roodeplaat / Am
30th January, 2005 / Germiston Open Dam Swim / Germiston / am
12th/13th February, 2005 / Midmar Mile / Midmar Dam / Sat/Sun
15th February, 2005///////// / Tshwane Champs Long Distances (LC) / Hillcrest / 6.30pm
19th February, 2005///////// / Tshwane Champs Short Distances (LC) / Hillcrest / 9am, 2pm
20th February, 2005 / GMS Gala (LC) / Delville / 10 amSunday
5th March, 2005 ////////// / Inter-Regional Gala (LC) / Delville / 2pm LC
17th to 19th March 2005 / South African Masters Championships (LC) / Delville / Thurs/ Frid/Sat.

Meritorious lane: Several Tshwane masters awards will be presented at the Tshwane Winter SC gala at Linden (28 August). These will include awards for meritorious service to Tshwane Masters and for ourtwo swimmers’ world record breaking performances at Riccione. There will be a “Best Performance” trophy for the winner of the handicap race and certificates will be handed out for those Gauteng and Easterns masters whom, at the end of last season, participated in the Northerns Champs.

Handicap lane: At the Tshwane Masters Linden gala referred to above there will again be, as mentioned, a handicap race. Enter the handicap race and grab your chance to beat, over 50m, Edith and/or Terry. Just decide the stroke you are going to do and enter your last official time in nearest whole seconds for that event (e.g your time at Riccione or Nationals). The objective of the race is to measure best performance (fitness, etc) on the day regardless of age, type of stroke or gender. So, it is important, in fairness to other swimmers that you enter a time that you aught to do and not what you think you might do.

Madam’s lane:With respect to the SAMS’ Winter Challenge kindly note that Brooklyn and Coelacanths have sponsored, for a two hour period (10am to 12pm) on Saturday, 21 August, the use of two lanes at Hillcrest Pool. Do try and be there if possible as it would be great to use this opportunity to have a social get together. There will be a “bring and braai”at the Pool immediately after the swim.

If you cannot make it however, you are free to do the Winter Challenge in your own time as long as you have someone to count laps for you. Last year, “Madam” (Vilma Grobler) took “Eve” to do the lap counting and it is rumoured that Eve only counted one lap for every two that Madam did and that the dispute could only be resolved over a G&T!

Honorariums’lane:Hats off to all those around the country who give up their free time and are involved in the running and administration of the sport we love. Often, it is a thankless job attempting to meet the myriad expectations of those who demand nothing less than the best – albeit service which is provided free, gratis and for nothing. Coach McGee in Runners World (April 2004) puts it very well: “Gratitude is a great fuel for enthusiasm. By being thankful we keep the great wheel of our sport turning strongly. When appreciated, people find the will to continue serving the sport. Coaches and officials who feel valuable work harder and provide a better service.”

Memory lane:It was with much sadness that we lost our dear friend, Maryllia (Boustead)Hack. Maryllia (born on 1st July 1930) passed away on 25th May 2004 after suffering a stroke during 2002 and then enduring a long illness. Maryllia will always be remembered for her music, poetry as well as her wonderful spirit and laughter. One poem she wrote in 2002 for Barbara’s RobinIsland swim in fact epitomizes her own struggle:

“You swam the waves

and reached a star

achieved your goal

which seemed so far

bravo, bravo well done

you’ve earned your place

in the sun”

Allen Morrison (SAMS/Cape Town Masters) in his e-mail on the 29th May says it all:-

“I will always remember her wonderful disposition and ofcourse Iwill remember thatbeautiful smile. She was a true Ester Williamsand I am so pleased to have met such a wonderful person through my association with Masters Swimming”.

In masters swimming one doestruly meet wonderful people, all of whom, in their own way, contribute towards ones own happiness and success. In this regard one also remembers with fondness late Tshwane (then Northerns) Masters like; Fred Kothe, Chris Cairns and Ken Durrant as well as those masters from other regions who have passed away.

Slow lane:Our thoughts and prayers go out to all our fellow masters whose poor state of health continues to keep them in the slow lane. We think especially of our Tshwane masters; Gerrie Dorlas (another serious back operation), Ralph Wallach, Ted and Vee Beukes as well as Philip Esselaar (Fish Eagles). If you are aware of any other masters in ill health please contact Joyce.

Toll lane: Remember three important dates for SAMS affiliation fees:-31 July 2004, 30 September 200415 January 2005. Deadline date is 30 September butpay by 31 July and be in line for a lucky draw cash prize. After the 30th September, you will need to pay an additional R70 with final cut off 15 January 2005 (for both current and new members who want to attend nationals). Club treasurers, kindly note that Tshwane Masters would also appreciate payment of subs as soon as possible please but not later than 30 September.

Outside lane: Where are you? Over the past ten years, while Tshwane Masters has more than doubled its membership we have also “lost” some swimmers. Some names that immediately come to mind are: Astrid Armatas, Tiny Barnetson, Andre Kritzinger, Rob Mekel, and Mimi Jansen. We do need to encourage these ex members and others to come back to the fold – especially with next year’s champs being on the highveld. We are going all out to bring back as many trophies as possible to where they indeed belong – Tshwane Masters!! So, if you do have contact with any of these individuals or any other ex members do encourage them to rejoin otherwise please contact Joyce to do so.

Derek Fyfe

pp TMS Committee.

29July 2004