Issue 17, 2024/2025 by Peter Johnston - 7th February, 2025

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Freestyle Championships

There were PBs galore in the Freestyle Championships last week with 57 swimmers in attendance for the races.

A big thank you to everyone who helped set-up and pack-up the touchpads for the races. The test event went very well in preparation for next weekend’s SwimFest, so hopefully things run just as smoothly for the big event.

Merrylands SwimFest Jobs

Thank you to everyone that has nominated for a position at the SwimFest next week.

We also need people to assist with set-up and pack-up on the day. Set-up will begin from 11:30am. Please check out the list of what needs to be done later in this newsletter and see our Meet Director, Ian Wilson to find out where he needs you.

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

Good luck to our team of 11 swimmers representing the club at the Speedo Sprint Series Heats at SOPAC this afternoon!

Ocean Swim Results

Well done to our dedicated team of Ocean Swimmers who have had some fantastic results and plenty of fun over the past few weeks.

Ian Wilson finished 5^th out of 199 in his age group at the Big Swim on Australia Day, while Alison Johnston finished 2^nd in her age group at the Shark Island swim last weekend.

Also last weekend, Ian, Nuishka Shrestha and Amy Shaw swam in the Cole Classic at Manly.

If you are interested in an ocean swim, events are listed at https://oceanswims.com/

Club Uniforms

Get your Club Uniforms before the SwimFest via club’s online shop.

Bring a Friend

Do you have a friend that needs practice for their School Carnival?

Get them to sign up for a Come & Try membership and they can give our club races a go for up to 4 weeks before purchasing a membership!

True or False?

The first man to swim the English Channel used Breaststroke and completed the crossing in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Seen a Problem? Get it Fixed

If you see something that needs fixing you can elevate this directly with Council by logging the issue here.

Lions Club Award

Seen someone that deserves recognition for their efforts in helping out? Nominate them for the Lions Club Award, our peak award to recognise our volunteers over the season.

A big thank you to our volunteers nominated for their service through January:

Nominate a volunteer

P-Plate Award

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for someone making a silly mistake during the season. We like to recognise and reward all efforts during the season and the P-Plate award is the perfect way to do this for something funny that happens at club.

Nominate a silly mistake

Make a Donation

Did you know you can make a tax-deductible donation to the club?

If you would like to make a donation, or know someone who would like to then click on the link below.

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation already.

Make a donation

SwimFest Relay Teams

Our club’s Relay teams for the SwimFest are published on the notice board.

Please check to see if you are in a team.

School Carnivals

School Carnival season is here! Let us know how you go - email publicity@merrylandsasc.asn.au with some details and even a photo. Maybe you will make the newsletter just like these 3 up and coming youngsters:

No Club Races - Saturday, 15^th February

There are no club races on next week due to the SwimFest. If you forget and turn up early, the list below should keep you occupied until everyone else arrives. Club Races will be back on 22^nd February.

SwimFest Set-Up

11:30am to 12:30pm

• Shelters setup (see map)
• Tables and chairs setup (see map)
• BBQ set up (see map)
• Bollards and bunting set up (see map)
• Flags and Sponsor signs setup (see map)
• Marshalling Board setup (see map)
• PA set up and test
• Computer, WiFi and results screen setup

12:30pm to 1:00pm

• Pool cleared of public
• Touchpads put in pool
• 15m Rope installed
• Blocks uncovered
• Lane numbers and warm-up signs
• Test timing system

1:00pm to 1:45pm

• Warm-up
• Print and cut marshalling sheets
• Relay changes/withdrawals

1:45pm

• Warm-up ends/clear pool
• Final test of timing system

1:50pm

• Marshall first events 
• Officials briefing 

2:00pm

• Meet starts 

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

Set Up & Pack Up on Saturday Mornings

There is a lot to do in set up and pack up on Saturday mornings – thank you to the members who have been arriving early and/or staying back to help. These are some of the things that need to be done, with an emphasis commencing on time:-

Priority Items

• Shelter and side shade for the recorders on the lane 1 start side of the pool – lives in the clubroom near the side door.
• Plastic table and 4 (grey) chairs for the recorders. Table lives in the shed. Grey chairs from the club room.
• Wireless Router to be fitted to the time clock pole at the start end, plugged in and switched on.
• Starter podium and witches’ hats (to remind people not to walk in front of the Starter and Referee) – lives in the shed, front left corner.
• Power cables for computers to be connected to same power point as Router on pole.
• Speaker etc for starting device – lives in plastic box on Starter's podium. Place speaker on lane 8 side securely next to pole of backstroke flags and roll cable along pool deck coping to lane 1 side. Cover exposed cable with cable guards (see below).
• Starting device tripod – lives in the clubroom near the side door (same place as shelter and side shade)
• Starting device – will be on charge in the clubroom on kitchen bench
• Cable guards (6 yellow) for the Recorders & speaker for the Starter – these live in the shed.

Important Items

• Stopwatches and clipboards – black case lives in the locker in the clubroom and needs to be set up on a folding table from the shed. Turn them on.
• 15m (false start) rope (in box with Starter’s podium) and poles (in ‘old club room’). You will need someone to show you how this works and you will be so proud of yourself when you master it!
• 25m rope (for 25m, 33m & 15m races). Lives in the shed in a wire trolley and needs to be rolled out along the end (preferably 50m end) of the pool.

Final items

• Block covers removed and put out of the way under the blue shelter.
• Chairs setup for Timekeepers at both ends of the pool. Chairs live in the shed and there is a trolley to move them.
• Presentation dais (only for Championship days) – lives in the clubroom under the trophy cabinet right side as you enter.
• Umbrellas if it is raining – found in a black plastic drum trolly in the Shed – good luck wheeling this one 😊 Including the beach umbrella for the Starter.

Pack up; return everything to the location it is stored and please be careful in handling cables and ropes so as not to tangle. Sometimes the blocks get a wash if we can find a working hose.

On rainy days, placement of the recording table and all associated equipment including router will be on the veranda of the Clubhouse. No need for shelter and tables.

Remember that timekeeper watches should not be turned on until after the Router is switched on