2009-04-20 NLetter Apr 09.pdf - South African Masters Swimming

SPLOSH!
NEWSLETTER OF CAPE TOWN MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB APRIL 2009
FROM THE CHAIR
Can you believe it – Nationals is over for another year
and the last gala of the 2008/2009 season has been
swum?
41 members attended SAMS Championships in East
London last month. We were a great team with lots of
friendship and support was shown in and out of the
pool by everyone.
CT Masters walked away from Nationals with many of
the Awards. Each and everybody contributed to CT
Masters winning the SAMS Handicap Trophy, which is
awarded to the club scoring the most points per
swimmer entered. WP Masters won the Dr Heyman
Belfort Memorial Trophy for the region scoring the most
points – CT Masters, Cape Dolphins Masters and
Winelands contributed to this. Other awards are
mentioned further on in the newsletter. Congratulations
to you all.
We also lead the medal count with 183 medals – 97
Gold, 56 Silver & 30 Bronze. 7 of our swimmers broke
SA Records – Sanderina Kruger is our golden girl with
5 SA records & 2 World records – well done Sanderina
we are very proud of you. Other record breakers were
Cecilia Stanford (2) Lenchen Zundorf (2), Gail
McCarney (1), Marcelle Strauss (1), Judy Brewis (1) &
Dave McLachlan (1). 2 of our relays teams also broke
SA Records. Well done everyone.
12 of our members were awarded SAMS Colours
Congratulations to Diane Coetzee, Doug Howieson,
Rachelle Isakov, Sanderina Kruger, Dave McLachlan,
Edith Otterman, Amanda Pickard, Greg Price, Tim
Shead, Cecilia Stanford & Tyrone Tozer.
WWW.CTMASTERS.CO.ZA
All in all it was a very successful Nationals for Cape
Town Masters Swimming. Thanks to all of you who
were part of it. Those who could not make it this year
will hopefully be able to be part of the CT Masters team
that goes to Pretoria in March 2010.
The last gala of the season was on 1 st April at Long
Street Pool. This was a sprint gala and was well
attended. It was really nice to see so many new faces
that are all keen to join CTMSC in the new season.
Thanks must go to Doug Howieson & Flexitrade, who
sponsored the gala. Many of us went to Sinn’s
restaurant in Wembley Square for dinner after the gala,
which was great. Thanks WPM, for organising this.
The month of May is AGM time. Please diarise the
dates – listed in the calendar. Both are at Woodside
Village, Rondebosch at 7 for 7.30pm. It is important for
you, as a member, to attend these meetings as it is
where the committees are elected to lead you through
the next season and awards are presented for
achievements in the past season. So, please make
every effort to be there to support your committees and
fellow swimmers.
Well done to everyone who has participated in galas
throughout the season. Masters Swimming is all about
fun, fitness & friendship and achieving personal goals.
We all need to sit back now and take stock of what we
want to achieve in the next season, which starts in May
with the first gala in June or July.
Hope to see many of you at the AGMs and at the
galas in the new season.
Cheers
Judy S
SWIM CALENDAR
25 th April: Cadiz Freedom Swim. More info
available at www.freedomswim.co.za . A discount
of 10% is offered for pre-entry. New prize to be
awarded: first Veteran home.

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Thurs 14 th May: WP AGM at 7.30pm at
Woodside, Village, Rondebosch.
Thurs 28 th May: CTM AGM at 7.30pm at
Woodside Village, Norton Rd, Rondebosch.
MEMBER’S NEWS
Marcello da Silva left us too suddenly, in February,
and we mourn the passing of such a brave, friendly
and special swimmer. Rest in peace, Marcello.
PERRY CADIZ’ much longed-for skiing holiday came
to an abrupt, and rude, end when she was flattened
by some “bastard” and limped home with a broken
collar bone and shoulder blade. What an
inconvenient injury, Perry. Let us know if you need
anybody to pour your sundowners.
In the Midmar Mile, held in February, Marcelle
Strauss came in third in the 41-50 yr category.
Way to go, Marzi!
Marzi and Heather Morris-Eyton (Phoenix)
relaxing at the Midmar Mile
Numerous CTM members took part in the LAPS
FOR LIVES relay challenge, held at Rondebosch
High School pool, a few weeks ago. The swim was
whipped into creation by Margot King and yours
truly in order to gather funds for Ralph King’s (no
relation) grandson who has Burkitt’s lymphoma and
is in need of a bone marrow transplant. The swim
was great fun and the winning team – Matthew,
Robbie and Kirsten Slater, JD Breytenbach and
Paul Halliday – swam the furthest distance of
6275m in the hour. The response to the appeal was
SPLOSH
remarkable. The swim, and an article in the Fish
Hoek Echo, helped to bring in R30 000 for Joshua.
He presently has one more bout of chemotherapy to
receive (he’s had several) and, once he’s in the
clear, will be ready for the transplant. What an
amazingly brave and upbeat boy he is. We wish him
all the best and a quick recovery.
Gail displaying 6 of the best at Laps for Lives
EAST LONDON NATIONALS
Once again a large contingent of CTM swimmers
journeyed to EL to participate in the 25 th annual
SA Masters Champs. There were many moments
of joy, and quite a few disappointments too.
There was also sadness as we remembered
Marcello, his name still listed in the programme
reminding us of the fragility of life.
On the lighter side, these are a few of the
memories that were laid down:
DID YOU KNOW?
Terry Earley lost his cossie in the 50 Fly event.
The spectators were treated to spectacular
moonies on each undulation. Thankfully he
retrieved his tackle before standing up in the
shallow end. Heaven only knows what the
referees would have made of his pool aid. And
thank the swimming Gods that is wasn’t a
backstroke event.

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Hester Snyman left EL faster than you could say
“Novocain”. After arriving, in typical HB style, in
a luminous orange wig and displaying her assets
poolside (see accompanying pic), her molars
started acting up. Unable to bear the pain of
swim dentist Nigel Hendricks extracting
anything, she chose instead to return to CT for
harrowing dental surgery. (Ag shame, Nige,
sorry if you feel scorned). She’s right as rain
now, but has apparently been offered a leading
role in District Six – the musical.
Those damn molars…
Al Morrison dressed up in black, and a pink
wig, to stand in for Hester at the 10 th
anniversary of the PFC club (don’t ask!) whose
founding members are Cecilia, Di Hau, Judy
Brewis, Hester, Chris and Amos Barkai. The
Club was initiated in (the hotel corridor) in EL
champs previously. Apparently nobody noticed
the substitution – must have been the cleavage.
Clara Aurik celebrated her 83 rd birthday with
her admirers (us). Viva Clara!
Clara with birthday flowers – what a babe!
The oldest female competitor was Rae Smit
(89).
The oldest male competitor was Jack Brink (89).
The SAMS Club trophy, awarded for the most
points, went to Amakhosi Club. CTM was 3 rd .
CTM won the Handicap trophy – awarded to the
club scoring the most points entered per
swimmer.
Allen Morrison was awarded (about time) the
Charles Buck Memorial Trophy for the person
most epitomising Masters Swimming….
………….we agree!
Al was a founding member of Masters Swimming
in South Africa – thanks Allen! – and has been in
attendance on many of the committees over the
years. His contribution to Masters’ has been
unselfish and remarkable. Congrats to him!
The Victrix Ludorum once again went to
Sanderina Kruger – what a consistent shining
star!
Sanderina was also awarded the Best Performance
trophy for the best time at Champs, measured
against the World record (3.84% under the world
record in the 100m freestyle).
David McLachlan achieved the best time in the
400IM race, and won himself the Peter Pirow Cup.
WWW.CTMASTERS.CO.ZA
Perry Cadiz swam fully clothed. Not out of choice.
Winner of the wet t-shirt competition
The parties were amazing – Amakhosi gave
contestants three opportunities to dance away
their tension/disappointments/age. It’s a pity that
more clubs didn’t take advantage of the superb
“Numbers” nightclub – Cape Town, as usual, was
well represented.
Both the poolside braai and the Awards dinner

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gave ample opportunity for jiggling the
wobbly bits and the swimmers gave it full
stick.
Hats off to the hosting club for a wellorganised
and most enjoyable National
champs.
Hands up if you’re enjoying yourself
More pictorial memories…
Shirwyn and Michael Arendse crack up
Ms Pearly Whites – Di “Hoo”
SPLOSH
Mike R had trouble containing himself
David being nipped Clara and Rixie were hot
COMMITTEE
For this year’s committee, CTM still requires a newsletter
editor. Please send nominations to chairlady Judy Brewis
judy@brewis.co.za.
It would be great to have some new blood working on the
committee this year as it is always the same people that
volunteer year after year. It won’t take up too much of your
time – and it’s great fun!
Bubble Leech Extinction
Copyright 1999–2009, H2Ouston Swims.
...Stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke, stroke.... Not too fast now
— don't wanna to use it up too soon... stroke, stroke, breathe,
stroke, stroke, stroke.... not too slow — don't wanna work
that hard... stroke, stroke, stroke... he really took off after that
last turn... stroke, stroke... damn, I might have to do some of
this by myself... stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke, breathe...
mebbe I'll just stop and adjust my goggles till he makes it
back by here... stroke, breathe, stroke...you'd think he'd have
the common courtesy to keep a steady pace, what with the
rest of us back here...stroke...I don't even see his bubbles
anymore...stroke, stroke...my goggles are just about to leak
so I'll stop here for 30 seconds or so...

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Drafting. If you don't know what drafting is, stop right here
— read no further. Preserve your innocence. Walk away
now, untainted.
Now, for those of you familiar with drafting, let me say that
I'm not 100% against drafting once in a while. Heck, it's fun
to get a free ride from a faster swimmer now and then. And,
from a training standpoint, this practice has its merits — it
allows you to feel what it is like to get up and down the
pool a little faster. It also gives you a different feel for what
the water is doing to your body. If you are going to be
competing in open water, drafting is part of the game and
such skills must be developed. You have to find that
fleeting “sweet spot” where the trade—off between
turbulent water and flowing water gives you the best “ride.”
A little drafting helps you improve your understanding of
the water and its effect on your body.
However, this concept is often taken to an extreme. I don't
want to go off on a rant here but, I'm sure you know what I
mean — the guy who refuses to go first, even though he's
the fastest swimmer in the lane, the inconsiderate fellow
who swims up on your toes but who wouldn't dream of
passing (in fact, touching your toes is his signal for you to
speed up rather than his signal that he wants to pass), the
bozo who goes two seconds behind you then complains
when you stop abruptly in the lane and he runs into your
back, the cretin that leeches your bubbles for a long swim
with multiple negative splits and when quizzed for his splits
merely points to you and says “Same as Joe—Bob’s,” the
pusillanimous twit that drafts off you all day long and then
puffs out his chest in the locker room about what a tough
workout he did.
I'll not mince words. With rare exceptions drafting in
workout is cheating. It is a crutch — like training wheels on
a bike, like wearing flippers when everyone else has got
necked feet, like pushing food onto your fork with your
fingers, like swimming a 400 when other people your speed
go a 500, like going to the bathroom and not washing your
hands, like leaving 2 seconds early on a timed 50 — need I
go on? When you draft you know you are getting away with
something, you feel a bit sheepish when it is pointed out
publicly and you know it is intellectually dishonest to claim
credit for anything you do while drafting.
Yet some of you still insist on sucking foot most of the
time, swimming without the aid of a good draft only under
duress (or only with flippers or only with the cursed little
styro—virus between your legs).
Drafting directly reduces the amount of energy expended to
swim at a given pace. You are fooling yourself into
thinking you are doing great things when in reality the lane
leader is doing the great things.
SPLOSH
Because a drafter’s speed is largely dependent on the
other guy’s effort it is impossible for the drafter to
gauge the amount of effort really needed to swim at any
desired speed. A sense of pace eludes this misguided
soul. Foggy countenances and pained expressions
appear when negative splitting or any other type of
controlled pacing is the order of the day (unless, of
course, a trusty lane leader is present to do all of the
mental and physical work — then the drafter is happy
to do his part and mop up the bubbles).
Because of pacing deficiencies, chronic drafters are
often the ones who crash and burn during distance races
in meets. Onlookers cringe, teammates point and
snicker, parents point out the spectacle to their children,
admonishing them against the evils of a misspent youth,
and coaches disavow knowledge of the swimmer's
activities.
The problem of drafting would be self—limiting if the
drafter’s free ride cost the lead swimmer more energy
or slowed him down a bit. If this were the case a
swimmer that detected a bubble leech would soon
reward the offending party with invectives and physical
abuse. However, unless the drafter commits one of the
more flagrant lane etiquette fouls or endangers others,
peer pressure is rarely exerted.
Of course it all comes down to a question of aesthetics
— to the casual observer, does the swimmer who is
drafting look more like a sexy European sports car
flying along the course, sun glinting off its freshly
detailed chrome — or does he look more like a
demolition derby hulk being dragged off the track in a
choking cloud of dust and oily smoke? I'll leave it to
you to decide.♦
COMMITTEE DETAILS 2009
Chair Person and Membership Secretary: Judy Brewis
021 – 685 1812 judy@brewis.co.za
Secretary: Di Coetzee
021 – 790 6593 henrydi@telkomsa.net
Treasurer: Johan (Bez) Bezuidenhout
021 – 976 6165 tjbez@iafrica.com
Nationals Coordinator: Luzanne Boyes
021 – 671 0650 luzanne@mweb.co.za and
Tarryn Stanford tbird@gmail.com
Newsletter: Chris Donnelly
021 – 794 5406 chriswd@iafrica.com
Website: Julian Hansen (Technical) 021 – 794 0636
julian@marcorpsa.com;
PRO, Galas, Snail-Mail, TLC, magazines: Shirwyn Weber
021 – 531 3838 davesands@telkomsa.net
BANKING DETAILS
Cape Town Masters Swimming Club
First National Bank
Acc: 5017 111 5030
Branch: Plumstead, Code 201-109
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