The Sea Eels commenced our 29th winter swimming season on Sunday 30 April 2017. We had had a few unusual off-season events:
- Ralph Hall had been asked to look definitively at the issue of Public Indemnity insurance for all members of the Stanwell Park Sea Eels Winter Swimming Club.
- After many years of pleading with Wollongong City Council, and staving off rapacious dark forces who would steal the legacy left by our founder, the late Phil Anger, the WCC finally gave in to reason and threatened closure of the Coalcliff Pool, whilst it conducted long-overdue upgrades to the pool, its surrounds and amenities. This meant that we would have almost no notice of when or how long our home pool would be closed. We discussed alternatives and it was suggested Wombarra Pool because its width as well as its depth had been measured It was not too shallow as had been previously suggested.
- Whilst on an educational wine tour of country Victoria with his darling bride, our President had a near-death experience that forced him to spend some extended time in the tender mercies of the Victorian Health Service; we were sure of the date of his return home.
As this was an unusual set of circumstances, the Vice-President, Anne Marie Connolly, held a partial AGM, wherein all the previous committee were re-elected. We deferred decisions around membership fees and the possible relocation of our weekly swims until the return of our President.
The following week our pool at Coalcliff was indeed closed for the remainder if the winter season, and we scoped out alternatives. We settled on Wombarra Pool as it was unused by any other winter swimming club, it was reasonably close to home and it was 25 metres across the pool, making a return journey the regulation 50 metre swim. It also had showers and was large enough to host visitors.
An Extra-ordinary General Meeting was held on 21 May 2017 to discuss memberships and insurance issues. It was discussed by Ralph Hall that there were xx Winter Swimming Clubs in New South Wales, mostly stand-alone clubs with their own insurance. There were only three out of 27 clubs as sub-committees of registered Surf Life Saving Clubs. It was proposed, and after much deliberation, accepted that, to be covered by public indemnity insurance, all Stanwell Park Sea Eels members must belong to Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC to be covered by Surf Lifesaving NSW’s insurance. Those members who are not full or affiliated members already, will have to pay affiliation fee, currently $15.00 to be covered by the parent club’s insurance. The added bonus is that, in so doing, all members of Stanwell Park Sea Eels will be covered for visits to other clubs, such as Bulli Sea Lions, as well as the Sea Eels not having to pay $600 plus annually for insurance for the South Coast Winter Swimming Championships.
On 28 May 2017, we hosted our sister club the Bulli Sea Lions for our annual get-together. It was beautiful sunny weather, but the sea was huge, the pool was lashed by fierce southerly squalls, and the Vice President was all but swept away by the swirling tide, until saved manfully by Klaus Liss. The Jimmy Johns Trophy was conducted in an unashamedly biased fashion. True to form, there was yet another rule that we had overlooked which ensured that Bulli retained the trophy. A wonderful lunch, for which our members are noted, ensured that the Sea Lions hopped back on their bus substantially lubricated and well-fed. It was a good day indoors with lovely people and we look forward to visiting visiting their club next time.
South Coast Winter Swimming Championships
The South Coast WSC Championships were held on 16 July 2017. See their website for information about the day.
For those not at liberty to partake in the SCWSA Championships, namely all our female members, and for their male sympathisers, a quiet swim was held at Wombarra pool, followed by Chicken Laksa, buttered baguettes and boiled jacket potatoes at the Stanwell Park surf club.
South Metropolitan Winter Swimming Championships
Another faultless day where all our members were welcome to swim, both as individuals and as members of a relay team. Iconic venue, sensational program and legendary hospitality has made this a highpoint of our calendar which bonds our club members together. It’s just so great to all get to go together to a competition that is inclusive. It also helps that our club backs our attendance and it is a family day out for the whole club, regardless of gender or age.
Eternal thanks to our friends at the Cronulla Polar Bears for including our club initially, which seems to have consolidated into a recurrent invitation. We hope our inclusion might translate into a permanent inclusion.
CRAM House Day at The Helensburgh Tradies’ Club
Sunday 13 August was another high-point in the year’s activities. We had about 48 guests this time, which stretched our resources somewhat. This year, it was a “Treasures under the Sea” theme from the ladies to get the Cram House clients and staff as well as the Sea Eels to dress-up for the event. Thank you especially to Binner’s Farm and Christian’s Family Meats. Extra-special acknowledgement to the Helensburgh Tradies’ Club management for their support and to the Sea Eels members and families who donated to help others throughout the season. It was a great day particularly for the CRAM house clients and their carers who always seem to enjoy their day out.
Club Championship and Presentation Day
Sunday 27 August 2017 saw the conclusion of our 29th season, when the Championships and Presentation were held. xx won the prestigious John Stacpoole Cup and the other winners are on the attached page.
Congratulations to all those award-winners as well as all the contenders. Another busy season and many thanks to all those who helped out to make it a memorable day.
At the Club Championships there would have been four contenders with 100% attendance for the most coveted award, the “Slippery Eel”. Unfortunately for them, the Marshall family had a weekend away and “Brains” Van Zyl had to swim with the pretender, Damo Lloyd, who falsified his eligibility for contention. Congratulations to Brains for winning the Slippery Eel, yet again.
The Stan McCabe Cup for Club Person of the Year was awarded to xx for efforts beyond her years, always trying, her ever-present joy and eagerness to help. She was an inspiration to all the Sea Eels.
Winter Swimming Association of Australia Championship
The Sea Eels were represented by a fine body of men and women at the WSAA Championships at the Southport Pool in the lead-up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in early 2018, on Sunday 10 September 2017.
Christmas Drinks
We finished the season off with Christmas Drinks at the home of El Capitano, Pirate Pete and the fair Sandra. The food was plentiful and very tasty, the company was friendly and fun and a good time was had by all. Another memorable if overcast day to finish off a memorable season.
Patrons and Supporters
The Sea Eels are grateful for donations at our annual support for CRAM House Day from Helensburgh Butchery, Binner’s Farm. Special thanks for all the wonderful support from the staff and management of the Helensburgh Tradies Club and to the Helensburgh Hot Bread Shop for their weekly support.
Extra special thanks as ever to Marg and Peter Hunt for donating the weekly raffles.
