By Sea Eels club president Peter McDonald
The Sea Eels have completed their 35th Year of winter swimming (except for their Annual Xmas drinks on Saturday, 9 December), and what a successful and enjoyable season it was.
We only had one bad day with rain but the rest were sunny, with water temperature never dropping below 14 degrees. Five new members joined us and are keen to return next season.
We had five away swims, the first being a visit to the Bulli Sea Lions, a club like ours with men and women swimmers. Once again we did not win the “Jimmy Johns” trophy due to some new rule introduced on the day.
Then came the annual visit by Bondi Iceberg ladies; they brought 35 of their best swimmers to take home the trophy. The ladies are a lot of fun and very generous, buying all of the raffle tickets and happy to pay fines for things they did not do. On top of that, we were handed a cheque for $500 to go to our main charity CRAM Foundation.
“Bring a Friend Day” followed, shared with the Cronulla Swim club and Era surf club. This season we won back the trophy in the Annual Relay, following the swim we hosted our friends at the Scarborough Wombarra Bowling club.
Our next adventure was the South Coast Winter Swimming Association, unfortunately men only. The club brought home 2 Bronze, 3 Silver, 2 Gold medals. The championships this season were hosted by Bellambi Blue Bottles and the presentation/dinner was held at the Corrimal RSL.
After this we headed off to the Invitational Carnival at iconic Bondi Baths. This is one day we all look forward to. The ladies can compete and thankfully they were there, as three women made the finals, and three relay teams were also finalists. In our two “Nominated 10 Person Timed” relay, out of 20 teams we finished 6th and 7th.
Our last trip away was to the Australian Championships at Warringah Aquatic Centre, thankfully our ladies were there again with Christine McDonald, Jodie Cassidy and Michelle Gilmore making the finals along with the O/60s and O/50s relay teams being finalists. Our two “Nominated Time” relays finished 6th and 8th out of 40 teams. After the swim we went to Dee Why RSL for a fantastic buffet lunch and presentation.
To end the season we held our championships, The winners were Russell White in the John Stacpoole Open, Christine McDonald Women’s Open, O/30s Belinda Woodward, O/40s Russell White, O/50s Steven McDonald, O/60s Graham Standen and O/70s Peter McDonald. Dawn Marshall, one of three 100% attendees, won the Slippery Eel and Barry McGuinness was named Club Member of the Year, receiving the Stan McCabe trophy. For overall Point Score results, Christine McDonald won the Open King cup, Frankie Larkin U/14s “Ernie Valbusa” cup, Marley Larkin U/18s “Phil Anger Memorial” trophy and the “Endurance” cup won by Phil Kelly.
This season we donated $3000 to CRAM Foundation to enhance the lives of the residents.
Our friendly club welcomes all local residents. Hope to see you on the blocks at Coalcliff pool any Sunday from April to September 2024.
