The Sea Eels commenced their 35th winter swimming season on Sunday 30 April 2023. Every season starts with a bit of trepidation wondering after all these years will the swimmers return. Once again we were not let down and was great to have the familiar faces back together again along with six new members looking forward to a full season of swimming at the iconic Coalcliff pool each Sunday. Apart from our regular Sunday swims, our calender was full, with visitations and touring. A special thank you to our committee for once again steering us through another very successful season.
Visitation to Bulli Sea Lions Sunday 28th May
Our first venture was a visit to the the Bulli Sea Lions for our annual get-together and grudge match for the coveted Jimmy Johns Trophy, unfortunately once again the trophy went home with the Sea Lions and according to them was won legitimately without the introduction of another new rule. Following the fixed relay debacle we were hosted at the Sandon Point Surf Club for a sumptuous lunch and plenty of liquid to wash it down, they will never learn.
Visit by Bondi Icebergs Ladies Sunday 4th June
Next venture saw the return visit of the Bondi Icebergs ladies, 30 swimmers in all, competitive, and just happy to be on their only visit to another club. Now a club favorite and our club members made it even more special with kranskys, soups and a mouth watering lunch followed by desserts. The Bondi girls appreciate what we do and this was shown by their generosity particpating in the raffle, Joker Poker and Fines. The Surf Club receiving a huge influx of money over the bar. The most sort after trophy for the “Ten Aside” relay (the bed pan) unfortunately went back to Bondi just nudging our ladies out, we will get revenge in 2024. The Bondi girls are most welcome back every year as they really are a breath of fresh air and a lot of fun, very generous leaving us with a cheque for $500 and enough apparel to clothe a family for a year.
Bring-A-Friend Day Sunday 18th June
Our following venture, again held at the Scarbough Wombarra Bowling Club accompanied by Era Surf Club, Kurranulla Cronulla RSL swimmers and members friends. The bowling club makes us very welcome and is a great venue promoting the Illawarra coast.
South Coast Winter Swimming Championships Sunday 16th July
Host club Bellambi Blue Bottles took care of the championships. Fifteen swimmers competed resulting in one 1st, two 2nds and four 3rds. Once again the swim was held at the Continental Pool North Wollongong and the dinner/presentation at the Corrimal RSL Club.
The Invitational Carnival Bondi Sunday 30th July
The second Invitational Carnival was again a great success. With a bus load of 18 eager swimmers ready to take on the might of some of the bigger Sydney Clubs along with a large number of supporters. We were looking forward to the day at the iconic Bondi Iceberg’s Pool and were not let down with the weather favouring us. This is a fun day and we welcome others who would like to spend the day in Bondi supporting us.
Hosted CRAM Foundation Sunday 27th August
CEO Karen Burdett along with 15 Carers and their families joined us for the festivities and lunch at the Surf Club and were catered for with soup and a delightful lunch. Unfortunately no swimmers from CRAM were brave enough to dive into the pool this season. A donation cheque of Three Thousand Dollars ($3000) was presented by Captain Barry McGuinness and Vice President Dawn Marshall for CRAM residents to enhance their well being. The Surf Club bar takings once again bolstered.
Sea Eels Championship Day and John Stacpoole Memorial Swim Sunday 10th September
Our last Sunday at the iconic Coalcliff pool where the handicapping system is discarded and the competition really takes on a new direction. This is also the day when we find out who has been foxing for the whole season, usually ninety percent of our swimmers. The hotly contested Blue Ribbon event the “Slippery Eel” for our 100% Attendance Swimmers, this season three in all, Dawn Marshall, Anne Woodward and Christine McDonald, with Dawn being the overall winner. With all the championship events completed it was back to the Surf Club for the medal presentation and usual socialising along with discussions about next year on how we can improve if possible the 36th season and resolutions being made in regards to swim training in the off season. It is not going to happen, that is the training.
Australian Winter Swim Championships Sunday 17th September
This season contested at the Waringah Aquatic Centre. An early start on Sunday for the bus trip with 24 on board to the venue via a detour to the Manly Quatic Centre, but we were there on time thanks to our understanding friendly Robertson bus driver. Our seventeen of Illawarra’s finest swimmers were up on the blocks against swimmers with tattoos of the Olympic rings on their chest, bending and stretching while our swimmers waved to our supporting members. The result being inevitable, but Christine McDonald, Jodie Cassidy and Michelle Gilmore made their finals.The dinner/presentation was held at the Dee Why RSL. A huge club to cater for some four hundred swimmers. In the speech from the Dee Why Club President, he commented that he had never seen so many people in the auditorium.
Christmas Drinks Saturday 2nd December
For the first time in 35 years our Xmas Drinks get together was cancelled. This being no fault of our new hosts Cate and Graham but with the predicted (and accurtate) forecast of a 40+ degree day we made the decision to cancel. We have been assured that we will be most welcomed at their home in 2024.
Publicity
A number of reports were put into the Illawarra “Flame” magazine and weekly reminders plus wrap ups posted on Instagram and Facebook. Thanky ou to Christine McDonald for this outstanding effort.
Donations
Three thousand dollars ($3000) was donated to CRAM Foundation our main charity. Donations were received from the Bondi Iceberg ladies ($500). Many small donations of varying types were made by members. All bar sales throughout the season go to the Surf Club.
Fundraising
Our Fundraising is all through our incredibly generous members and guests participating in the weekly raffle donated by Margaret and Peter Hunt, fines from our Fines Masters Anne Woodward and Rod Hampson and the weekly draw from Joker Poker which amazingly went down to the wire on our last day. Functions were catered and donated by our members including the weekly homemade soups. Other revenue came through the Sea Eels cleaning the Surf Club as required.
Point Score Results
Open “King Cup” 1st Christine McDonald
2nd Dawn Marshall
3rd Ian Van Zyl
U/14 “Ernie Valbussa Cup” Frankie Larkin
U/18 “Phil Anger Memorial Trophy” Marley Larkin
“Endurance Cup” 1st Phil Kelly
2nd Marley Larkin
3rd Barry McGuinness
Sea Eels Championships
“John Stacpoole” Open 1st Russell White
2nd Graham Standen
3rd Lachlan McDonald
Womens Open 1st Christine McDonald
2nd Cate Burton
3rd Michelle Gilmore
0/40s 1st Russell White
2nd Justin Larkin
3rd Christine McDonald
0/50s 1st Steven McDonald
2nd Ian Van zyl
3rd Peter Lehane
0/60s 1st Graham Standen
2nd Barry McGuinness
3rd Richard Brien
0/70s 1st Peter McDonald
2nd Rodney Hampson
3rd Barry allen
Major Awards
100% Attendence Anne Woodward, Dawn Marshall, Christine McDonald
“Slippery Eel” Dawn Marshall
Club Member of the Year “Stan McCabe Trophy” Barry McGuinness
Life Member Anne Woodward
South Coast Championships
Finalists 0/30s Jimmy Quinn 1st
0/50s John Clingan 3rd
0/60s Ron Massaar 2nd
0/75s Rod Hampson 2nd
4 Man Nominated Time Relay 3rd
0/40s 6 Man Relay 3rd
C Grade Nominated Time Relay 3rd
Invitational Carnival Bondi
AgeFinalists Ron Massaar
0/40s Mens Relay 2nd
0/50s Womens Relay 5th
6 Person Mixed Relay 6th
Nominated Time 10 Person Relay ‘B” Team 6th
Nominated Time 10 Person Relay ‘A” Team 7th
Australian Championships
Finalists 0/45s Christine McDonald
0/50s Jodie Cassidy
0/55s Michelle Gilmore
0/50s Ladies Relay
Nominated Time 10 Person A Grade Relay 6th
Nominated Time 10 Person B Grade Relay 8th
Committee
President Peter McDonald
Vice President Dawn Marshall
Captain Barry McGuinness
Vice Captain Gary Marshall
Secretary Phil Kelly
Treasurer Terry Wood
Registar Steven McDonald
Publicity Officer Christine McDonald
SCWSA Delegates Justin Larkin, Peter McDonald
Handicapper Christine McDonald, Barry McGuinness
Chief Timekeeper Ian Van Zyl
Chief Judge Rod Hampson
Starters Barry Allen, Ralph Hall, Justin Larkin
Social Committee Margaret Hunt, Kim Van Zyl, Sandra McDonald
Clothing Co-ordinator Christine McDonald
