Results...

1SOMS 2011-07 July

1SOMS July 2011 Results are available.... (Click results).. Pics available of finishers and on-the-water..

The 3.7m swelss did not materialise..actually fantastic conditions with a swell breaking over Cherry Reef made for a deep flat water swim that was enjoyed by all. 22 Polarbears braved the conditions.. and enjoyed the Winter profile that Clifton Bay displays.

First back top the beach was Callum Bell who opted to start with the Hares and not the Hounds. I believe this did not count in his favour as newcomers

 Willmore;Richard;#0961             Hound    7    0:26:18    0:21:18    1
 Cronje;Johnny;#0966                 Hound    8    0:26:37    0:21:37    2

chased him down in the Channel Rules category. They also took overall honours ahead of Westuits

 Cronje;Lodi;#0816       Yes        Hare        2    0:23:08    0:23:08    5    1
 Hanekom;TJ;#0773     Yes        Hound    14    0:28:48    0:23:48    7    2

Ballot;Nadine;#109             Hound    10    0:27:40    0:22:40    4   
Allan;Angela;#0768              Hare      12    0:27:56    0:27:56    14  

A big thankyou to Alex (Who runs the beach); Nicole who finish tags you, Deon who snaps the pics and Kevin who is the starter... Also big thanks to AquaSphere who support the swim and provide the lucky draw prizes.

Winter profile of Clifton Bay - the NW brings in the sand banks and flattens out Clifton's sandy bottem... this results in a much longer walk when entering the water and makes for great body-surfing waves on 1st beach.

Sea you next month on 7 August...

Waz

 Results are available ! Please click to view in Spreadsheet format.. (If there are any discrepencies please notify me so I can correct...)

 April 2011 -Race Report

What a way to finish with Summertime 1SOMS – a new participation record! Fantastic swim conditions… the first false start (and last I hope!) The day after South African Lifesaving Nationals was always going to be one to remember but then so to is it the last weekend before Iron Man South Africa. Interesting to note that the Channel Rules participants doubled the number of Wetsuiters so last 1^st Sunday of Month Swim before Freedom Day swim had everyone brushing up on their timed racing.

Reminder: After the debate in February of wetsuit vs non-wetsuit (and confirmation from FINA that rule OWS5.5 does determine recognition of a swim ) I realized that a tad more result analysis was being asked for. Accordingly, there is now a race within a race (and for you and me still overall results information) by which I mean that “Wetsuits” and “Channel Rules” can now distinguish their relative intra-group position. Below the overall position table is the Top 10 times for Wetsuits and Channel Rules.

First back to the beach was the wetsuited Hare–Henning Blaauw (#0818) followed in by Channel Rule Hare Hare Brad Gale (#590)..

Race honours

·         Wetsuits~ goes to Neil Malherbe pushing Henning Blaauw into overall race position of 2^nd .

·         Channel Rules ~ goes to Barend Nortje who outswam Charne Burger for race honours

AquaSphere as you saw came on board for this 1^st Sunday of Month Swim and sponsored some great prizes… I will be updating the www.1soms.co.za website so you can order products through me. I chatted to a couple of polarbears after Sundays jaunt and some opted to try out the range of swimming apparel … lets see if we can make some waves or rather whether we can enjoy some waves.

Interesting tidbits  The Saturday before saw a number of Polarbears complete Robben Island- Blouberg Solo crossings… A huge congrats to you all- I know how much determination and perseverance it takes to clock up the distance to make this a reality. It used to be said what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – well the update I hear is what happens in Vegas is known on Facebook ~ Congrats Chris ! The camera waits for no one – please remember this when finishing…its probably not the time to blow your nose or adjust your costume… ;-)

UPCOMING In the near future is the Iron Man triathlon (9/10 April)…Easter weekend if you are taking/planning a trip up the Eastern seaboard has the Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge .Take a look at the website for more info. A couple of swimmer have been making enquiries about open water training…drop me an email and lets see if I can assist. For all those venturing into open water PLEASE remember to keep it safe by swimming between the flags (or notifying the lifesavers on duty that you are planning to venture outside) and take a swim buddy along. It is much more fun to share the experience.

A huge thank you to the following:

Registration desk: Nicole Burger (Previously raced), Alex Burger (Newbees)

Starter: Kevin Fialkov

Lifesaving team leader: Craig Getz

Finish Team: Mikael Medonca (Timing), David Tates & Alex Burger (Positions), Nicole Burger (Finish tags)

Photographs: Deon Fialkov

Next 1^st Sunday of the Month Swim 5 June 2011 (Registration 09h15~09h50, Briefing 10h00 and Start 10h15) bring down a friend to share the experience (and maybe even hold a towel) ! NOTE THAT IT IS ALL AN HOUR LATER… (I will try arrange the warm Winter water)

OVERVIEW

 TOP 10

 UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL :

Iron Man South Africa - 9 April

Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge

Challenge your fears

Africa's premier Indian Ocean swim, the Nelson Mandela Bay Bell Buoy Challenge, is one of the richest open water swim races in the country with a Men’s and Ladies winning purse of R10,000 each and over R70,000 in prizes for the top 10 swimmers. This international 8km Ocean Swim takes place during the Easter Splash Festival (Africa’s largest 4-day festival with over 500,000 visitors). Wetsuits are permitted for the swim with over 100 participants expected for 2011 including Serbian swimming legend Rok Kerin and India’s Richa and Rashmi Sharma. Check out www.bellbuoychallenge.co.za for further information.

Nelson Mandela Bay Ocean Racing Series -Part 5

Nelson Mandela Bay Ocean Racing Series – started in 2006 as a 5-part 1km swim series, the Series has grown into Africa’s largest family lifestyle beach event and features no fewer than six events taking place at the same time on alternate Sunday mornings throughout Summer (usually from Oct through to Apr). The Series includes a 1km ocean swim, 2km shifting to 3km (half way through the season) swim for the Ironman guys, a 5km Beach Run, a 5km Beach Walk, a 1km Kids Beach Run and a 2.5km Stand up Paddle race.

Your consideration of the above would be greatly appreciated. Over 6,000 participants and some R26 million in media coverage per season has helped this Series become the largest of its kind in South Africa. Check out www.oceanracingseries.com and give it a bash next time you’re in PE.

MAY:

Freedom Day Swim - 7/8 May

What a swim !

New Record ! 146 starters (2 withdrawals) ... awesome swim conditions 15'C Swell <1m Air temp 26'C... and AquaSphere have come on board and have provided lucky draw prizes at this swim. I will be setting up an order-form from this website so those seeking goggles and swimming apparel can purchase from here.

Please click to see some of the early pictures on facebook. ( Please tag yourself and friends - it helps me verify the finish positions as I still don't know all the Polarbears names)

Provisional times are below - Hounds deduct 5 minutes. The position corresponds with your finish tag.

Fin Tag    Elapsed Time
1    0:23:12
2    0:23:31
3    0:24:11
4    0:24:20
5    0:24:25
6    0:24:27
7    0:24:46
8    0:24:49
9    0:24:51
10    0:24:52
11    0:25:14
12    0:25:36
13    0:25:41
14    0:26:00
15    0:26:07
16    0:26:11
17    0:26:19
18    0:26:48
19    0:26:55
21    0:27:02
22    0:27:11
23    0:27:19
24    0:27:22
25    0:27:23
26    0:27:25
27    0:27:28
28    0:27:58
29    0:28:00
30    0:28:21
31    0:28:29
32    0:28:30
33    0:28:33
34    0:28:35
35    0:28:41
36    0:29:00
37    0:29:06
38    0:29:08
39    0:29:10
40    0:29:19
41    0:29:27
42    0:29:29
43    0:29:42
44    0:29:43
45    0:29:45
46    0:29:49
47    0:29:58
48    0:30:00
49    0:30:02
50    0:30:04
51    0:30:09
52    0:30:10
53    0:30:11
54    0:30:18
55    0:30:21
56    0:30:37
57    0:30:41
58    0:30:46
59    0:30:49
60    0:30:57
61    0:31:00
62    0:31:09
63    0:31:12
64    0:31:15
65    0:31:22
66    0:31:26
67    0:31:28
68    0:31:34
69    0:31:41
70    0:31:44
71    0:31:45
72    0:31:46
73    0:31:46
74    0:31:50
75    0:31:53
76    0:31:56
77    0:32:06
78    0:32:14
79    0:32:19
80    0:32:26
81    0:32:30
82    0:32:32
83    0:32:35
84    0:32:44
85    0:32:50
86    0:32:56
87    0:32:57
88    0:32:58
89    0:33:00
90    0:33:04
91    0:33:05
92    0:33:07
93    0:33:12
94    0:33:17
95    0:33:19
96    0:33:34
97    0:33:42
98    0:33:47
99    0:03:02
100    0:33:55
101    0:33:57
102    0:34:00
103    0:34:09
104    0:34:10
105    0:34:11
106    0:34:18
107    0:34:28
108    0:34:40
109    0:34:52
110    0:35:16
111    0:35:31
112    0:35:40
113    0:35:46
114    0:36:00
115    0:36:02
116    0:36:17
117    0:36:23
118    0:36:33
119    0:37:05
120    0:37:09
121    0:37:12
122    0:37:17
123    0:37:32
124    0:37:49
125    0:37:56
126    0:38:00
127    0:38:01
128    0:38:05
129    0:38:15
130    0:38:22
131    0:38:40
132    0:39:13
133    0:39:17
134    0:39:25
135    0:39:41
136    0:39:46
137    0:40:22
138    0:40:32
139    0:40:46
140    0:41:43
141    0:42:25
142    0:42:38
143    0:43:19
144    0:52:16

 More pictures... <== Click on the link for pics.. You are welcome to befriend me on Facebook so I can properly tag you

March 2011 -Race Report

Amazing! My trepidation of having my usual land-based control (Alex and Nicole) in various parts of the world (Sun City and Sydney!) did not deter me trying a whole bunch of different admin techniques to keep it moving smoothly. Hiccups along the way admittedly but I think I am on the right track. 96 swimmers started with only 3 withdrawals. Very pleasant conditions once we were underway. I am uncertain it was noticed that WP Lifesaving Championships were happening at Blouberg –that is except for the absence of lifesaver participants!

Reminder: After the debate in February of wetsuit vs non-wetsuit (and confirmation from FINA that rule OWS5.5 does determine recognition of a swim ) I realized that a tad more result analysis was being asked for. Accordingly, there is now a race within a race (and for you and me still overall results information) by which I mean that “Wetsuits” and “Channel Rules” can now distinguish their relative intra-group position. Below the overall position table is the Top 10 times for Wetsuits and Channel Rules.

First back to the beach was the wetsuited newcomer Hare –Neil Malherbe followed in by another newbee wetsuited Hare Andrew Slot..

Race honours

·         Wetsuits~ goes to Chad Noble pushing Neil Malherbe into overall race position of 2^nd .

·         Channel Rules ~ goes to Charne Burger who outswam Gustave du Bois for race honours

Interesting tidbits Scanning through the top 10 placings in both categories I note that the fairer polarbears are holding their own if not showing up some of the others… Keep at it! There are some personal best times amongst the participants – congrats ! I keep getting feedback from Polarbears telling me how much they enjoy the swim. A welcome return to Judy Howard who I think had the biggest smile of the day… 1SOMS again has shown that it is a most enjoyable monthly outing.

UPCOMING In the near future is the Human Rights Day Swim (21 March) and  Iron Man triathlon (10 April)… and a couple of swimmer have been making enquiries about open water training…drop me an email and lets see if I can assist. For all those venturing into open water PLEASE remember to keep it safe by swimming between the flags (or notifying the lifesavers on duty that you are planning to venture outside) and take a swim buddy along. It is much more fun to share the experience.

A huge thank you to the following:

Registration desk: Olga Davis (Previously raced), Nina Tredoux (Newbees)

Starter: Kevin Fialkov

Lifesaving team leader: John Bull

Finish Team: Natalie Abel (Timing), Nina Tredoux & Olga Davis (Positions), Deon Fialkov (Finish tags)

Photographs: Warren Fialkov

 Behind the scenes improvements and changes to admin : Sandra and Johan .. I am certain I will be able to work through the glitches.... also a HUGE thanks to Samantha and Nicholas for their assistance.

 Next 1^st Sunday of the Month Swim 3 April 2011 (Registration 08h15~08h50, Briefing 09h00 and Start 09h15) bring down a friend to share the experience (and maybe even hold a towel) !

Should we organize an outing for munchies ahead of the hibernation?

*     Position overall

**   Position out of wetsuits

*** Position out of Channel Rules

March 2011

What a day -- Huge thank you to everyone who assisted..and for the patience shown on the day..

I still have to summary the reults..but I do believe they are pretty solid and show a very fast race...

In short the 1st Wetsuit home was Neil Barnard and 1st Channel Swimmer Charne Burger... I hope I have not spoken too soon but congrats..

Provisional results are now available -please click on the link to view.

Yours

Warren

March 2011

What a day!... Fantastic swim conditions.. quick.. Below is the provisional time against finish tag (the Tag handed to you in the water at the finish)

I hope you enjoyed the event - I am still collating the position tags to your race number and who was in wetsuits and who wsa not... Hopefully by early Tuesday this should be finalised.

If you were a Hound deduct 5 minutes to obtain your Race Time.

Provisional Results

Fin Tag    Elapsed Time
1    0:22:26
2    0:23:11
3    0:24:17
4    0:24:21
5    0:24:43
6    0:24:46
7    0:24:50
8    0:24:51
9    0:26:09
10    0:26:28
11    0:26:31
12    0:26:33
13    0:26:38
14    0:26:49
15    0:26:55
16    0:27:13
17    0:27:22
18    0:27:47
19    0:27:49
20    0:28:08
21    0:28:18
22    0:28:19
23    0:28:20
24    0:28:28
25    0:28:34
26    0:28:48
27    0:28:57
28    0:29:02
29    0:29:03
30    0:29:04
31    0:29:06
32    0:29:14
33    0:29:18
34    0:29:19
35    0:29:29
36    0:29:30
37    0:29:31
38    0:29:32
39    0:29:33
40    0:29:43
41    0:29:45
42    0:29:46
43    0:30:23
44    0:30:27
45    0:30:40
46    0:30:50
47    0:30:52
48    0:30:54
49    0:30:56
50    0:30:59
51    0:31:05
52    0:31:20
53    0:31:22
54    0:31:24
55    0:31:25
56    0:31:26
57    0:31:34
58    0:31:35
59    0:31:46
60    0:32:00
61    0:32:01
62    0:32:17
63    0:32:22
64    0:32:38
65    0:32:54
66    0:32:56
67    0:32:57
68    0:33:07
69    0:33:09
70    0:33:23
71    0:33:25
72    0:34:06
73    0:34:12
74    0:34:46
75    0:34:54
76    0:34:56
77    0:35:28
78    0:35:29
79    0:35:31
80    0:35:33
81    0:36:36
82    0:37:15
83    0:37:19
84    0:37:30
85    0:38:03
86    0:38:46
87    0:39:53
88    0:40:58
89    0:41:41
90    0:44:55
91    0:49:24
92    0:53:42
93    0:53:49

Facebook photo album is now loaded - click album to access

2011 1SOMS February

Amazing! Forecasts of bumpy incoming tide then an early morning mist did not deter the Polarbears from their monthly open water jaunt. The mist/cloud evaporated as a deluge of newbees arrived to join the 1^st Sunday of Month Swim.

After the debate last month of wetsuit vs non-wetsuit (and confirmation from FINA that rule OWS5.5 does determine recognition of a swim ) I realized that a tad more result analysis was being asked for. Accordingly, there is now a race within a race (and for you and me still overall results information) by which I mean that “Wetsuits” and “Channel Rules” can now distinguish their relative intra-group position. Below the overall position table is the Top 10 times for Wetsuits and Channel Rules.

First back to the beach was the wetsuited newcomer Hare –Callum Bell followed in by another newbee wetsuited Hare Kent Horner..

Race honours

·         Wetsuits~ goes to Henning Blaauw pushing Callum and Kent into overall race position of 2^nd and 3^rd.

• Channel Rules ~ goes to Chris King #692 ,Achmat Hassiem#824, Henko Roukema #646. These three raced down many and I look forward to future duels.

Interesting tidbits I keep getting feedback from Polarbears telling me how much they enjoy the swim. 1SOMS is more than just a swim its almost a family of people who share a common interest.  Thanks for the words of encouragement – I will continue to strive to grow 1SOMS and the enjoyable monthly outing.

UPCOMING In the near future is the Xterra triathlon… and a couple of swimmer have been making enquiries about open water training…drop me an email and lets see if I can assist. For all those venturing into open water PLEASE remember to keep it safe by swimming between the flags (or notifying the lifesavers on duty that you are planning to venture outside) and take a swim buddy along. It is much more fun to share the experience.

A huge thank you to the following:

Registration desk: Alexandra Burger (who single –handedly managed to keep everything on track)

Starter: Alan Green (Imported from London)

Lifesaving team leader: Craig Getz

Finish Team: Warren Fialkov(Timing), Deon Fialkov (Positions), Alan Green (Finish tags)

Photographs: Alexandra Burger

Next 1^st Sunday of the Month Swim 6 March 2011 (Registration 08h15~08h50, Briefing 09h00 and Start 09h15) bring down a friend to share the experience (and maybe even hold a towel) !