Author: Fish Eagles Masters Swimming

Swimmers dressed in beanies and scarves arrived at Virgin Active, George on Sunday morning, 20 August, for the SAMS Winter Challenge – even though it was actually quite a lovely warm day.

Swimmers could take part in a 1-hour Individual Challenge, a 1-hour Relay Challenge, or a WFC Mile Challenge.  Most Fish Eagles swam the 1-hour Individual Challenge, but we also had four lazy swimmers who opted for the 1-hour Relay Challenge.   All proceeds from sponsorships and entry fees will be donated to the SPCA, George.

A “debriefing” took place afterwards, and swimmers were rewarded with a home-cooked Greek meal by Chef Paul.

The AGM was held on Saturday, 13 May at the house of chairperson Judy Dixon.

A new committe was elected:  Judy Dixon (Chair), Mike McDonald (Vice-chair), Jill Black (Treasurer), Tanya Osborne, Eugene Schoombie & Lanie Farrelly (General Dogs Bodies).

Judy served an excellent brunch with champagne after the meeting & topped it all off with a fruit pavlova & lemoncello.

Can’t wait for next years meeting.

Our AGM was held on Saturday, 13th May 2017.  Trophies were awarded to the Masters Swimmers who excelled at the Masters Championship 2017.  This year trophies went to:

Best Female Swimmer:  Tanya Osborne

Best Male Swimmer:  Alan Dando

Spirit & Enthusiasm:  Mike McDonald and Lanie Farrelly

The Masters Championship was held from March 15 to 19 in East London.  The Championship had 493 competitors who participated in 40 events over four days.    The Open Water Swim, over 1 and 3 km respectively, was held at Wriggleswade Dam near Stutterheim with 280 competitors braving the misty, chilly conditions.

Although the Masters swimming team had only nine members participating, they managed to bring home 32 medals between them.  Loy Park from Little Brak River – the oldest member of the team at 85 won 5 medals, and  Alan Dando (81) from Knysna won 5 medals.  These octogenarians proved that swimming is a great way to keep fit and active.   The rest of the medal count:  Tanya Osborne (44) from George won 8, Moneque Roos (34) from Cape Town won 5,  Pippy Bishop (35) from George won 4, Judy Dixon (76) from Sedgefield won 2, and Jill Black (60) from George won 2.  New members Mike McDonald (72) from George won 1, and lanie Farrelly (55) from Sedgefield won 1.

Most Fish Eagles members reside in or close to George and train at Virgin Active, Wellness  Center, and/or the Conville Pool, with open water sessions at the many dams around the Garden Route.

Not only did the team make an impression in the water, but the sponsored gear had other teams looking on with envy.  The colourful costumes especially drew a great deal of complimentary comments.