Author: Renee Carroll

For this week’s article on getting to know our club volunteers, we interviewed our very own female Club Captain and Head Junior Technician, Cara Parker.

Q: How many years have you been a club member?

A: Since I was three years old.

Q: What motivates you to volunteer each week?

A: My Mum used to be heavily involved with volunteering at swim club. I learnt from her and took over because I found it interesting. I initially started on the finish computer and now I’ve moved on to the start computer which is a bit more technical but I enjoy it.

Q: What is your favourite memory?

A: Winning the Geribo Cup (Chocolate Trophy) two years ago. My team involved; A friend of mine that I brought down to swim club for the day, my Dad (David Parker) and Gerry Tibbertsma. It was really fun!

Q: What’s the best thing about Swim Club?

A: I love the swimming, seeing friends and competing against family, especially when I beat my brother! I also love getting my exercise all done and dusted first thing in the morning especially on hot days.

Q: What is your favourite stroke?

A: Freestyle. It used to be breaststroke but my times aren’t as good anymore.

Q: Who is your favourite famous swimmer?

A: I like the Campbell sisters.

Q: What is the next PB (Personal Best time) you are aiming for?

A: To get back to my fast breaststroke times! 😉

Q: Do you have any tips for other swimmers?

A: “Don’t stop kicking”!

Thank you from all of us at DSC. We really appreciate your hard work and assistance with running our wonderful club 😊

It’s looking like Saturday morning could be wet, wet, wet! 

But don’t worry about it – you’re going to get wet anyway and we’ll only cancel in the event of lightning.  Just bring along some dry clothes to keep warm!

Program:

• 100m Butterfly Championship
• 100m Freestyle Sprint:
  • Week 4 of the 100m Freestyle Special Events for Under 10’s and 35 & Overs
  • 100m, 50m, 30m and 20m Freestyle for other age groups
• 200m, 4x30m and 4x20m Freestyle

A number of our swim members participated in the Cole Classic at Manly last Sunday 2^nd February with some fantastic personal achievements:

1km:

• We’re claiming that Jaxon Lewis unofficially won the  9-10 years 1km race!  He was officially entered in the 12yo age group, so that he could swim with his mate, but his finish time was 7 seconds faster than the official winner of the 9-10yo’s group!  Great work Jaxon and a credit to the DSC Junior Squad Coaching team!
• Phil Hayward has been training hard and had a great swim in the 1km event.
• Renee Carroll competed in the 1km with her family after running with her pram in the 7km Sun Run the previous day! [Ed: We’re claiming Atlas as the fastest toddler!]

2km:

• Congrats to Natalie Borozan and Craig Corcaran for finishing the 2km swim.  Special mention to Nat for winning the ‘Thanks for Coming’ Award; she won an Audi to borrow for a weekend – not a bad prize for doing the swim 😊

5km:

• Kristy Lewis (Jaxon’s Mum) killed the 5km in 1.31.18 placing 37^th out of 81 Females …. (Adam Lewis, you need to pick up your game here! 😉)

Due to unsafe beach conditions the race started and finished at Shelley Beach.  Well done to all of our amazing swimmers!  A big weekend of fitness for all involved.

We’re placing another order with Delfina and need to confirm order numbers for costumes.  If you are in the market for a new costume or shirt for the Battle on the Bay Swimming Carnival or want some Drummoyne Swim Club logo wear please read on…

The options are:

• Boys / Mens swim brief
• Boy’s / Mens jammer
• Girls / Ladies Open Back costume
• Unisex Tee Shirt
• Unisex Polo Shirt

A few things to note:

• We need to order a minimum of 5 x pieces per costume and 10 x pieces per shirt. If we don’t make the minimum quota for any particular style we’ll be in touch to discuss an alternative.
• Be sure to check out the size guide before making your selection as we are placing a special order and returns to Delfina will not be possible. Although we’ll try and arrange to on-sell the garment to another club member if possible.

Note that experience from our first order suggests that sizing is on the small side (ladies costumes in particular). So go for a bigger size if you’re not sure. For certainty, ask to try on a costume from the sample stock at Swim Club or talk to a club member who has a costume about sizing.

To place an order follow this link:

• Drummoyne Swimming Club – Uniform Order Form

If you have any questions about ordering any merchandise please contact Adrian Bell on 0424 561 831.

For this week’s article on getting to know our club volunteers, we interviewed our very own Phil Hayward. Phil is a man of many hats: He is our Club Treasurer, Race Referee, Life Member and a former Club President.

Q: How many years have you been a club member?

A: 22 years

Q: What motivates you to volunteer each week?

A: I grew up playing lots and lots of sport and I saw the generosity of many adult volunteers. It’s a sort of a payback thing.

Q: What is your favourite memory?

A: Beating Gerry Tibbertsma by a finger nail to win the BBB trophy in about 2008. [Ed: Result here!]

Q: What’s the best thing about Swim Club?

A: The best thing is that because of the handicapped racing format, children, teenagers and adults of all ages and genders intermix as equals in competition. It means that we all interact as rivals, and often as friends. I don’t know of anything that removes age from social interaction like our swimming club.

Q: What is your favourite stroke?

A: I do like butterfly but it’s at its best when I watch other people do it.

Q: Who is your favourite famous swimmer?

A: Susie O’Neill, the Australian 200m butterfly champion who won 8 Olympic medals in the 90s.

Q: What is the next PB (Personal Best time) you are aiming for?

A: 50m freestyle in 26 seconds & 200m freestyle in 200 seconds (who said you’re dreaming!).

Q: Do you have any tips for other swimmers?

A: The only measure of success is your own. Therefore set your goals and achieve them – that is success.

Thank you Phil, from all of us at DSC. We really appreciate your hard work and assistance with running our wonderful club 😊

A handful of our adult squad swimmers participated in The Big Swim on Australia Day last Sunday. There were two events: a 1km swim at Palm Beach and the big 2.5-2.8km swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach.

The weather was great but beach conditions were a bit challenging, with tough tides and waves. A huge achievement for everyone who competed. Please see below photos of some of the brave swimmers and spectators!

If you’re interested in training up for future ocean swims or improving your fitness and stamina for Saturday racing, please join the adult squad down at the pool at 6am on Monday and Wednesday mornings and 5.30am on Friday mornings.

The Cole Classic is on in Manly this Sunday 2^nd February and a few members will be swimming in the 1km or 2km events or braving the 5km long distance. Good luck to all of those competing!

We have a big program this week for the Australia Day long weekend.

Wave your flags and cheer on your friends and family in the races below:

• Week 3 of the 100m Freestyle Special Events for Under 10’s and 35 & Overs
• 100m, 50m, 30m, 20m Freestyle
• Heats for the Bill Gallie 50m Breaststroke Handicap Trophy
• 50m, 30m, 20m Breaststroke
• Final for the George Russel 400m Handicap Trophy
• 400m, 200m, 4x30m, 4x20m Freestyle

We’re very proud to report that club member Christian Taylor continues his climb to the top of Australian swimming! 

He smashed his PB’s in all of his races at the NSW State Age Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in December 2019. 

His efforts saw him qualify for the National Championships in March with these impressive results:

• 50m Freestyle – 4th – 23:94 secs
• 100m Freestyle – 4th – 52:57 secs
• 100m Backstroke – 2nd – 59:27 secs
• 200m Backstroke – 3rd – 2:10:84

Members watched in awe as Christian swam so fast and smoothly on Saturday, especially when he nearly won his 100m Freestyle event swimming Backstroke!

Christian has ramped up his training to at least 5 days per week and we wish him every success in fulfilling his dreams as a reward for his hard work and dedication.

Adult squads are back in full stroke on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  They are a great way to train for Saturday racing and some popular ocean swims.

Everyone of all abilities is more than welcome to come along and train with us. The Monday and Wednesday squads go from 6am-7am and Friday training starts at 5.30am in lanes 1 and 2 at Drummoyne Pool.  

There’s a very active WhatsApp group to keep everyone informed of the squad’s activities, upcoming ocean swims and other banter!

After a devastating holiday break that was tarnished by bushfire destruction, we were thankful for some long-awaited rain that held off for our first meet back.

We had a great turnout and the pool was a perfect temperature. Some of our brave (crazy) swimmers even tackled the 100m Butterfly for more of a challenge!

Everyone dug deep to buy raffle tickets, with all proceeds being donated to BlazeAid. BlazeAid is assisting rural families impacted by the recent bushfires by providing volunteers and materials to rebuild fences on properties. Their base camps also help rebuild these affected communities.

The club raised a total of $234.30 that was donated to BlazeAid, and gratefully acknowledged by the organisation. Thank you to everyone for their generosity.

Find more at www.blazeaid.com.au.