You would be forgiven if you thought that the sea conditions were a marked improvement on last time. For once, MetService appeared to get it right and the wind did drop away to wheezy whisper before start time, and the sea surface looked like one of Rylock’s classic glass finishes. However, Tangaroa is a wily old bugga and loves to create havoc for any land dwelling ilk! Hence, while wind versus tide can create character building conditions, wind plus tide proved to be the ultimate test of your ability to swim sideways while laughing (or crying). Never-the-less, 115 blindly oblivious individuals decided to again partake in the aquatic circus which is now our regular Thursday night activity (or self-flagellation – depending on your mental state). Brendan obviously has a soft spot for short course swimmers but contempt for long course swimmers and created a kind of navigational spaghetti map that even brail readers struggled with. Again, a massive thank you to Rylock who’s support make this event possible and our volunteers who clearly gain enjoyment at watching swimmers suffer (I believe the term is ‘sadism’).
The 1,100m long course comprised more twists and turns than the coalition government caucus. Lucas Bell and Tegen Stuart, seemingly immune to directional challenges, yet again proved that youth is ignorant of pain and suffering, completing the course in record time being 14:38.7 and 15:33.7 respectively. One thinks they are hiding hydrofoils in their wetsuits. Marina will investigate. In the naturalist division, James Boocock and Liliana Perrett lead the packs home in times of 16:08.6 and 19:25.3, clearly not hiding hydrofoils anywhere. Although the top of the table points have not changed, it is refreshing to see that, in all cases, the leads have been shortened from seconds to points of seconds. Hopefully the owners of the catamaran won’t ask too many questions about the dents in their hulls (curiously shaped like swimmers heads) or the blood stains on the bow.
The disproportionate short course of 300m was yet again thrashed by the neoprene assisted Ardan Warner giving his best impression of Aquaman in a time of 9:38.6. The female neoprene enhanced section saw a change in the top of the table with Arabella Brosnan completing the circuit in 10:38.1. For the first time this season there were no naturalists in the short course race perhaps indicating that anything less than 15 minutes in 19.5 degree celcius water is not challenging enough for the normal Nelsonian.
Still plenty of opportunities to create havoc in the harbour on a Thursday night and claim bragging rights over your friends, colleagues, or nemeses. Can’t wait to see what Tangaroa throws at us next. Don’t forget the last pool coaching session on Saturday the 13th at riverside pool at 7am and the coffee afterwards. It is your last opportunity to improve your swimming technique and perhaps your Thursday placing for the rest of the series. Enjoy the photos and see you next week for the last Thursday race for 2025. And remember: if you’re looking for true character growth, resilience, and a new appreciation for dry land, try swimming in a soupy swell!
Full results
Series points
Photos – By Ruth Leckey