Whales Challenge #3

Today is our 3^rd and final Whales Challenge for the season. The White team take a 2-0 lead into the Whales Challenge. Can the White team dominate with a clean sweep, or will the Maroon team claw back a win this week? Make sure you wear your teams cap to help accumulate points for your team.

Download Whales Tales

When you receive the email on a Friday night with the Whales Tales and Events list for the morning you also have the option to download a Word copy of Whales Tales.

Downloading a Word copy allows you to see any photos & other images that are included in Whales Tales, as these do not appear in the online version.

How do you do this? Click on the Issue link and then click on the Download button at the top of the page

Championships

Last week we held the 1500m Freestyle Open Championships. Congratulations to everyone who qualified for and competed in these events. It was great to see a full heat in the water.

This was the last Championship event for the season. A big thankyou to everyone who arrived early and assisted with officiating and timekeeping for this event and others throughout the season

Free Membership – 8yrs & Under

As the season concludes there is limited time left to claim the free membership for swimmers 8yrs & Under, who regularly swim in our club races.

To check if you are eligible to claim a refund for this membership head to the club website here.

Return Championship Trophies

As we prepare for the Annual Presentation we ask that you return any Championship Perpetual trophies you have at home.

Autumn Races in April

As Merrylands Swimming Centre will remain open during April we will be holding an Autumn Racing Carnival this year.

Club races will be held on Saturday mornings (5^th, 12^th & 26^th). No fancy outfits required, just a swimming costume!

The pool will open at 7.00am for setup and races will commence at 7.15am. Races will be done in around an hour so.

Keep an eye on the club website as the race program is finalised and published.

Anzac Day 2025

Our club has participated in the Cumberland Anzac Day Dawn Service over the past and we have arranged to participate again this year.

Date: 25^th April 2025

Venue: Merrylands RSL Club and then to Charles Mance Reserve, 6 Newman St, Merrylands

Times:

5.00am - March formation at Merrylands RSL entrance in Miller Street

5.15am - March will commence

5.30am - Dawn Service will commence

5.57am - Wreath Laying will commence

6.30am - Dawn Service Concludes

Club representatives will be laying a wreath on behalf of our club and members. Our Female Club Captain will be engaged on behalf of another group on the day, so we are seeking a Female club member (preferably a Junior member) to represent the club in the wreath laying service.

If you are interested please see Denise Assi.

Annual Presentation & Club AGM

Sydney Heads 4000m Swim

Last Sunday saw the inaugural Sydney Heads 4000m swim from Little Manly Beach at Manly, across the Sydney Heads, to Camp Cove Beach, near Watsons Bay.

Our own Ocean Swim King, Ian Wilson, participated and completed the swim. His comment later that day was “absolutely fantastic, great event”.

Congratulations Ian on another massive swim

Club Uniforms

Order your Club Uniforms now via the club’s online shop.

See Margaret if you would like to order a Hoodie, as she is preparing to place an order for these before the season ends.

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.

P-Plate Award

Only a few more weeks to go to find a worthy recipient of the P-Plate award. So keep an eye out for someone making a silly mistake during the season. 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? The club’s financial year ends on 31^st March, so there is still time to help out this season.

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 during the season, your kind help is greatly appreciated and helps us purchase equipment for our member’s benefit.

Make a donation

Lions Club Award

As our season comes to a close we ask that you continue nominating members (young & old) who deserve recognition for their efforts in helping out. The Lions Club Award is a great way for the club to recognise the efforts of those members who exceed & excel.

Nominate a volunteer

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

Marshalling for Races

A reminder for all swimmers that they should be in the Marshalling area when their stroke event is to commence, eg ALL Freestyle swimmers (all distances) should move to the Marshalling area ready to be placed in their heat when the Marshall calls for all Freestyle swimmers.

It is NOT the Marshalls (or any other officials) job to continually call out to an individual swimmer who is delaying the start of a race.

Swimmers who are in other areas of the swimming centre may miss their race if they are not in the Marshalling area in time for their race. Leeway will of course be given to swimmers who are undertaking roles around the pool.

School Carnivals

This week we saw club members swimming in a wide range of meets, including Prospect Zone, Northern Suburbs Zone, Parramatta Diocese SSSC, Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese, Merrylands/Parramatta PSSA, Blacktown PSSA and Wenty/Seven Hills PSSA.

Congratulations to all of the swimmers from our club who swam and to those who have progressed to the next level meets. May the whale be with you

A big thankyou to the following people who helped with set up, during the meet and pack up at the Merrylands/Parramatta PSSA meet this week  :

Our club earned a fee for this work and this income assists us with running the club and purchases such as trophies for our Annual Presentation.

Championships

Last week we held the 50m, 25m & 200m (Open) Backstroke Championships. Congratulation to everyone who competed in these events, we had a full heat of the 25m which was great to see. Results for the Championships were:

50 metres Backstroke

25 metres Backstroke:

A hotly contested 25 metres Championship with all of these swimmers breaking the 25 metres time

200 metres Open Backstroke:

This morning is our last Championship event for the season, the 1500m Freestyle.

Good luck to everyone competing in this distance Championship. We have one full heat, so please arrive before 7.00am to assist with timekeeping for the event.

Blacktown Masters BPS Meet

Congratulations to Alison Sakurovs who competed in the Masters BPS meet last Saturday. Alison swam in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly & 50m Freestyle

Free Membership – 8yrs & Under

This season, we have again provided free membership for swimmers 8yrs & Under, who regularly swim in our club races.

To check if you are eligible to claim a refund for this membership head to the club website here.

Autumn Races in April

As Merrylands Swimming Centre will remain open during April we are again planning to hold an Autumn Racing Carnival!

Club races will be held on Saturday mornings (5^th, 12^th & 26^th). No fancy outfits required, just a swimming costume!

The pool will open at 7.00am for setup and races will commence at 7.15am. Races will be done in around an hour so.

More information will be available on the club website as the race program is finalised.

Anzac Day 2025

Join our club participation in the Cumberland Anzac Day Dawn Service on 25^th April this year.

The service will be held from 5.30am at Charles Mance Reserve, Newman Street, Merrylands and commences with a march from the Merrylands RSL Club in Miller Street, Merrylands at 5.15am.

Annual Presentation & Club AGM

We have booked the function room at Club Merrylands for our Annual Presentation. So dust off your fancy clothes and book that hairdressing appointment.

Return Championship Trophies

As we prepare for the Annual Presentation we ask that you return any Championship Perpetual trophies you have at home.

Club Uniforms

Do you need club uniforms over the winter period? Order your Club Uniforms now via club’s online shop.

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.

P-Plate Award

Only a few more weeks to go to find a worthy recipient of the P-Plate award. So keep an eye out for someone making a silly mistake during the season. 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? The club’s financial year ends on 31^st March, so there is still time to help out this season.

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 during the season, your kind help is greatly appreciated and helps us purchase equipment for our member’s benefit.

Make a donation

Lions Club Award

Following the SwimFest we received a record number of nominations for the Lions Club Award and the Committee had the opportunity to recognise and consider all of the following nominated members (and non-members *). Thankyou to everyone who received a nomination in February, your efforts are greatly appreciated

There were of course so many people who helped out with the SwimFest and whilst you may not have been nominated we do want to also reconise your great efforts in making the SwimFest a wonderful event again

As our season comes to a close we ask that you continue nominating members (young & old) who deserve recognition for their efforts in helping out. The Lions Club Award is a great way for the club to recognise the efforts of those members who spend time undertaking extra work to help in club activities.

Nominate a volunteer

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

Swim for your School

Congratulations to everyone who swam for their school as part of club races last Saturday.

Galstaun College won the event, eclipsing Sacred Heart Primary School in the total pointscore

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

Congratulations to Leo Zhu who represented our club at these championships last weekend.

Leo swam in the 50m Breaststroke & 50m Freestyle events, swimming just outside his entry time in the Breaststroke and breaking his entry time in the Freestyle event

Open Water

Congratulations to Ian Wilson who raced at the Huski Tri last weekend. Ian competed in the 1k Open Water Swim and came 1st in his age group

School Carnivals

It’s that time of year when schools hold their swimming carnivals and swimmers progress through the next level meets.

Last week saw some great results with swimmers from our club progressing from Zone to Regional level meets . Keep up the great work and good luck for your next level meets. May the whale be with you

Backstroke Championships

Good luck to everyone who is competing in the 50m, 25m & 200m (Open) Backstroke Championship events this morning.

Next Saturday (8^th March) is our last Championship event for the season, the 1500m Freestyle.

Whilst you may not have family members competing in this event we ask that everyone arrive at the pool prior to 7.00am to encourage everyone competing in the event and to also assist with timekeeping.

Blacktown Masters BPS Meet

Good luck to Alison Sakurovs who is competing in this meet today. Alison is swimming in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly & 50m Freestyle. Good luck Alison & may the whale be with you

Can you help on Wednesday 5^th March?

We are providing the timing system for the Merrylands PSSA meet at Merrylands Swimming Centre this coming Wednesday (5^th March). Our club earns a fee for this, so if you are available we would love to see you down at the pool to assist with set up and pack up of our equipment.

Club Uniforms

Order your Club Uniforms via club’s online shop. We hope to have the ordered long sleeve shirts soon (there has been a delay in receiving these from the supplier due to material shortages).

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? This is a great chance to recognise the great work done by so many people for the SwimFest. Why not nominate them for the Lions Club Award, our peak award to recognise our volunteers over the season.

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

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

SwimFest Wrap

In the blink of an eye SwimFest has come and gone for another year!

There are so many people to thank, as it takes a whole club effort to plan, prepare and host the meet. Thank you to everyone who volunteered for a role. We were able as a club to cover pretty much every job that needed to be done. We did also get some help from Aquablitz Toongabbie club, who took on timekeeping for one of the lanes throughout the meet.

I do want to especially thank Ian Wilson who took on the role of Meet Director (and assisted by Sylvia Chan). Ian was able to organise all of our volunteers over the weeks prior to the meet and have all the roles covered. This allowed us on the day to run the meet as smoothly as possible.

It was great to see so many people arrive early for setup and we were able to complete this ahead of the timeline.

The pool itself looked great (nice and clean of the usual sunken leaves) and the weather turned it on for us.

We did have some timing system issues, however were able to work through these and complete the meet, with some great relay racing as the finale.

And a big thank you to everyone who stayed back and helped with the pack up.

In the pool our team shone, achieving 57 new personal best times, which is even more impressive as our swimmers have already attained so many new PBs in the last few weeks with club championships and Speedo Sprint Heats. Our team earned 16 Gold, 19 Silver and 12 Bronze Medals across individual events and 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze in relay events.

And a final thank you to our meet sponsors, Club Merrylands, Starr Partners & Alpha Security. We greatly appreciate your kind support of our club and the SwimFest meet in particular.

Swim for your School

Today’s races are part of our Swim for your School program. Good luck to everyone who has entered to represent their school in their races.

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

Good luck to Leo Zhu who is representing our club at these championships this weekend.

Leo is competing in the 50m Breaststroke & 50m Freestyle events. May the whale be with you

Upcoming Club Races

As we move into the last month of club races we resume Club Championship races next week, with the 50m, 25m & 200m Backstroke Championships.

The final Championship for the year will be the 1500m Freestyle on Saturday 8^th March.

The 3^rd & final Whales Challenge then awaits us on Saturday 15^th March.

Can you help on Wednesday 5^th March?

We are providing the timing system for the Merrylands PSSA meet at Merrylands Swimming Centre on Wednesday 5^th March. Our club earns a fee for this, so if you are available we would love to see you down at the pool to assist with set up and pack up of our equipment.

Club Uniforms

Order your Club Uniforms via club’s online shop. We hope to have the ordered long sleeve shirts soon (there has been a delay in receiving these from the supplier due to material shortages).

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? This is a great chance to recognise the great work done by so many people for the SwimFest. Why not nominate them for the Lions Club Award, our peak award to recognise our volunteers over the season.

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

Warm-up preparations

Some great self reflection

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

It’s SwimFest Saturday!

The wait is over – the Merrylands SwimFest is here!

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for a role – especially those members who are just coming along to help.

We need assistance setting up for the meet from 11:30am so please come early to help set up.

Details of exactly what needs to be done and when are later in the newsletter, but there is lots of setup work to do. Then it all needs to be packed away again at the end. Please make sure you help.

Warm-up starts at 1:00pm with the meet starting at 2:00pm. All the information you need including the timeline and meet program is here. Swimmers need to be ready for the land warm-up at 12:45pm.

Alison and the Club Captains will be organising the swimmers to ensure they get to their races on time. We have 40 swimmers competing in 157 individual events and 9 relays. Relay teams are listed in the Meet Program and are on the notice board at the pool. If you are listed as swimmer 5 you are a reserve.

Lastly, don’t forget your club uniforms, hats, sunscreen, healthy snacks and drink bottles and good luck to all our swimmers!

Speedo Sprint Series Results

Well done to our team of 11 swimmers at the Speedo Sprint Series last Saturday afternoon. The kids had a great meet with 25 new PBs from 35 races, with nearly every team member swimming multiple PBs.

Well done to Gabriella (4), Damien (3), Marcus (3), Tomas (4), Coralie (3), Anna (1), Jude (2), William (3), Lily (2) on their PBs.

SwimFest Set-Up

It takes a lot of hands to setup for the SwimFest – this is what we need your help to do:

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 

Swim for your School

Swim for your School is back on 22^nd February. Represent your school at our club races and the swimmers from the school that scores the most points on the morning will get a prize.

Invite your friends to participate to boost your school’s points. Just get them to purchase a Come & Try membership so they can enter.

See the website for more details.

What do you need to do to participate?

Enter online here and tell us your school here.

Make sure you tell us your new school if you have changed schools this year.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

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

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

Merrylands SwimFest Entries close today at 5pm

This is it – your last chance to join our team for the Merrylands SwimFest. No more procrastinating - entries close at 5pm today and there are no late entries.

We have our biggest team competing for many years, so enter NOW or suffer the FOMO!

Butterfly Championships

Well done to everyone that competed in the Butterfly Championships last week with a stack of PBs.

Congratulations also to Leo Zhu on setting a new record in the 50m Butterfly. Leo set a new record in the 15yrs 50m Butterfly in a time of 31.41, taking 0.93 seconds off the record held by Michael Kelleher since 2004.

Next week is the 50m, 25m and 200m Breaststroke Championships.

Did you enter the correct number of events this week?

Many people didn’t. Check the online entries in Swim Central for details on the number of events you can enter.

Swimmers that enter too many events, or events they are not eligible for will be removed from those events. Sorry, there are no refunds if you get it wrong.

Freestyle Championships

The biggest club morning of the summer is here with 55 swimmers in attendance for the 50m, 25m and 200m Freestyle Championships on today.

We will also be testing the timing system ahead of the SwimFest. This means we need help to get the 16 touchpads in the pool before the races commence.

Please arrive by 6:30am to allow your swimmers to warm-up and to help to set up the touchpads.

Merrylands SwimFest Jobs

We need lots of people to help run the meet. There are many niche jobs we need to fill.

Announcer: Do you like the sound of your own voice? Then the job of announcer at the meet could be for you!

Medal Table: Fancy a bit of bling? Then maybe a spot on the medal table distributing medals is your thing.

Marshal & Check Starter: Swimmers need help getting to the correct lane at the correct time. These positions are critical to the meet running smoothly.

Recorder: Can you handle numbers? The recorders process the results and relay entries for the meet.

Do any of these sound like you? If so, please volunteer when asked or nominate to assist with this role or any other role you are interested in here.

Ian Wilson is the Meet Director for the meet and will be coming to see what you have signed up for.

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 1908 London Olympics used a 100m long pool for the swimming competition.

Club Uniforms

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

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.

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

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

Congratulations to Leo Zhu on setting a new record in the 50m Butterfly Championship this morning.

Leo set a new record in the 15yrs 50m Butterfly in a time of 31.41, taking 0.93 seconds off the record held by Michael Kelleher since 2004.

Congratulations to Leo on his swim.

See Also

• Championship Records

Random Relay

An exciting finish to last week’s Random Relay with the mixture of strokes ensuring the winner wasn’t clear until the very end of the race.

After the disappointment of last week’s Handicap Relay, Talia Jambazian found herself back on top, with team mate Niushka Shrestha. Congratulations girls!

Championships are back!

Club Championships are back from this week with the 50m, 25m and 200m Butterfly.

Next week is the 50m, 25m and 200m Freestyle Championships.

Remember, the 200m Freestyle Championship next week is both an Age and Open event, so if you have qualified, make sure you enter the both the 50m and 200m events.

How many events can I enter?

Make sure you enter the correct number of events each week.

Check the online entries in Swim Central for details on the number of events you can enter.

Swimmers that enter too many events, or events they are not eligible for will be removed from those events.

Sorry, there are no refunds if you get it wrong.

Boardshort Relay

To celebrate Australia Day, we have our annual Board Short Relay this morning. To get involved, pull on your favourite pair of board shorts at the end of the usual races and we will stick you in a team.