Bulk Intervals

Training this week -
"Bulk Intervals" - 3 sessions 4k+ on intervals per session.
Coogee swim Saturday, Cronulla ocean swim Sunday.
Total distance this week 16k

Sydney World Masters Swim Cancelled

Sydney World Masters Games Media Report:
Open water swim cancelled for safety reasons.
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Open Water Swim scheduled for 10am has been cancelled for safety reasons. It will not be rescheduled for Sunday.
The Chief Medical Officer, Chief Referee and Technical Delegate considered all options available when making this decision, such as postponement, shortening the course and moving the event to another day. Unfortunately, the water temperature and conditions prevented these options from being put in place.
The water temperature did not meet the minimum requirement of an average of 18 degrees and combined with the weather conditions (wind chill) it was not possible to safely run an open water swim.
The main concern is for competitor safety, and the risk of hypothermia was too high to enable the swim to go ahead.

Seas The Limit Senior Male Swimmer of the Year 2008-2009

Seas The Limit Senior Male Swimmer of the Year 2008-2009 Award

That was a surprise !!! There must have been a shortage of senior male swimmers this year.

Botany Pool Opens

Training this week -

4 sessions in Botany 50m outdoor pool, pace & consistency. Pool water's cold after a week of wind and no sun. Swim at Coogee on Saturday, big southerly swell, but it has blown in the warmer water, ocean temp about 20c.

Harbour water temp last week was still about 16c, it should warm up a little before the Masters Open Water Swim next weekend.

Total distance this week 18k.

Last Week of Indoor Training

Training this week -
4 sessions, double-up on Wednesday
Shorter distances, Working on speed & consistency
Outdoor pool opens next week
Distance this week 16k

Speed Week

Training this week -

4 sessions sprints 200s, 100s, 50s, 25s

Fastest 200 3:12 Fastest 100 1:28

Double up Wednesday morning & afternoon

Harbour training swim about 4k at Balmoral Sat with long-distance swimmers

Cold water 15.5c

Total distance this week 18k

Entries World Masters Open Water Swim

The start list for the Sydney World Masters Games Open Water Swim 17/10/2009 is available to registered entrants.
Entries have already closed 31st July.
3k open water swim around Chowder Bay, 2 laps and an in-water start & finish.
Looks like a tight rectangular course, 4 x 90-degree turns on each of the 2 laps.
For those swimmers who were not put off by the higher entry fee, or the cooler water or the prospect of swimming off Clifton Gardens, it should be a big event.
Total 660 starters split over 6 waves, so expect some jostling for position at the start and around the buoys.
The ruling on wetsuits seems to be fair "Wetsuits may be worn ... however the competitor will NOT be eligible for a medal."
No mention of FINA open water swimming rules regarding obstruction & interference with other swimmers, I guess common sense will prevail on the day.