WSAA National Championships
2023 National Championships hosted by Dee Why Ice Picks in Sydney
The 46th National Winter Swimming Championships, this year held in Dee Why, took place on Sunday the 17th September. Owing to an unprecedented September heatwave, the day, and indeed the weekend, was hotter than a hot tub of Hemsworths, which certainly took the “winter” out of winter swimming.
Hoodies and ugg boots were closeted, replaced by sunscreen, singlets and sun hats as 40-odd Wobbegong Warriors wound their way to the Insular Peninsula and descended upon Warringah Aquatic Centre to swap out salt for chlorine for the day. The usual crowd of Winter Swimming Clubs were there to represent, including Clovelly Eskimos and Bondi Icebergs. This year also saw a contingent from our western cousins with fantastic names such as the Fremantle Shivering Shags and the Cottesloe Crabs,
Despite a valiant effort from all involved in their individual age group races, medals were just out of reach for all Wobbies, with the exception of our very own swimming legend Dale Holland, who took silver in the 70+ women’s. Have you seen Dale swim? It’s a thing of beauty to behold.
Our Australian record holding 70+ women relay champs took to the blocks to defend their title, but - alas - the fame and glory was denied due to a disqualification over a false start - happens to the best of us. Dale, Irene, Julie and Deb - you’re champs in our eyes and always will be.
This year also saw a 60+ women’s relay thanks to the addition this season of some fresh new Wobbie blood. We’re so proud of Jenny, Jennie and Jo who took out the Bronze in this event. We’re also on the lookout for one more 60+ woman whose name starts with “J” for next year. Applications open now.
The Wobbies also scored a respectable 6th place in the 10 a-side relay, an event in which a nominated time is submitted for the relay and whichever club gets closest to the time in the event wins. Well done Wobbies, we were just 6 seconds off our nominated time!
Big ups to all the Wobbies who went along! It was a great weekend for all involved, with friendships fostered or furthered, as our wonderful Wobby community continues to grow.
(Click on the photos below to see full size)
2022 – National Championships hosted by the Wagga Crows in Wagga Wagga
The collective noun for a group of sharks is a “shiver” of sharks, and this is certainly fitting for those winter Wobbies in attendance at the 45th National Winter Swimming Championships this weekend, held in Wagga Wagga which has yet to realise that spring has, indeed, sprung. The rain and wind (smattered with occasional sun) couldn’t dampen the spirits of the large number of winter swimmers who turned out to channel their inner Olympians in a 50m sprint and / or relay for the glory of their club.
And speaking of clubs, there are certainly some colourful choices of names around. We were up against the likes of the Gold Coast Marlins (is there even winter in the Gold Coast?!), the Harbord Frigid Frogs (toadally awesome), Narooma Numnutz (?), and the Wagga Wagga Crows (they know it’s not AFL, right?!). All the clubs had their own banner, and there were small seas of club colours dotting the poolside. However, I don’t think anyone cheered as loudly or as proudly for our swimmers as we did for each other. This may come from a place of bias, but I think it’s true.
I’ll leave it to Steve to post all the official times and results, but the highlights were: Nance smashing her 50m swim as the only nonagenarian and doing so with grace and one of the most beautiful dives of the day. The 70s + women's relay team consisting of Dale, Irene and Julie not only winning GOLD but also setting a new national record! (and double kudos to Dale for swimming first and last in this relay!). Dale and Julie winning gold and bronze respectively in their age group swim. I believe some PBs were set by Al and Jacqui on their 50m swim and many others.
But despite the medals, perhaps the most poignant moment of the day was when Donny finished off the men’s relay. Trailing behind, and with all the other relay finishers patiently waiting to exit the pool, he finished his 50m not only to cheers and yells by his beloved Wobbies, but by every single club around the pool. It was a tear-jerking moment and a clear reminder of the deep sense of community and camaraderie that is swimming.
For all the photos and videos click on the Flickr Album link here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148150997@N08/albums/72177720302280845
(Click on the photos below to see full size)
2022 – National Championships hosted by the Wagga Crows in Wagga Wagga
The collective noun for a group of sharks is a “shiver” of sharks, and this is certainly fitting for those winter Wobbies in attendance at the 45th National Winter Swimming Championships this weekend, held in Wagga Wagga which has yet to realise that spring has, indeed, sprung. The rain and wind (smattered with occasional sun) couldn’t dampen the spirits of the large number of winter swimmers who turned out to channel their inner Olympians in a 50m sprint and / or relay for the glory of their club.
And speaking of clubs, there are certainly some colourful choices of names around. We were up against the likes of the Gold Coast Marlins (is there even winter in the Gold Coast?!), the Harbord Frigid Frogs (toadally awesome), Narooma Numnutz (?), and the Wagga Wagga Crows (they know it’s not AFL, right?!). All the clubs had their own banner, and there were small seas of club colours dotting the poolside. However, I don’t think anyone cheered as loudly or as proudly for our swimmers as we did for each other. This may come from a place of bias, but I think it’s true.
I’ll leave it to Steve to post all the official times and results, but the highlights were: Nance smashing her 50m swim as the only nonagenarian and doing so with grace and one of the most beautiful dives of the day. The 70s + women's relay team consisting of Dale, Irene and Julie not only winning GOLD but also setting a new national record! (and double kudos to Dale for swimming first and last in this relay!). Dale and Julie winning gold and bronze respectively in their age group swim. I believe some PBs were set by Al and Jacqui on their 50m swim and many others.
But despite the medals, perhaps the most poignant moment of the day was when Donny finished off the men’s relay. Trailing behind, and with all the other relay finishers patiently waiting to exit the pool, he finished his 50m not only to cheers and yells by his beloved Wobbies, but by every single club around the pool. It was a tear-jerking moment and a clear reminder of the deep sense of community and camaraderie that is swimming.
For all the photos and videos click on the Flickr Album link here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148150997@N08/albums/72177720302280845
(Click on the photos below to see full size)
2021 – Orange National Championships cancelled due to Corona virus
2020 – National Championships cancelled due to Corona virus restrictions.
2019 – Perth hosted by Cottesloe Crabs Winter Swimming Club
A troupe of 12 swimmers competed and 6 of the off-water support team attended the WSAA National Championships in this year held at the HBF Stadium (Superdrome) in Mount Claremont, Freemantle. Our Women's Over 65 team, Dale Holland and Julie Sankey won Gold and Bronze respectively, so very well done ladies! Our most senior and much loved member, Nance Eady, again won Silver in the Women's Over 70”s Relay Race. Richard Bosdyk, John Stapleton, Lee Meehan, Brian Probets, Steve Pryn, Will Blessing, Jacqui Wilson, Julie Sankey, Deb Shapira and Joe Gjedsted, entered in the A-Grade of the 10-Aside Nominated Time Relay, winning Gold; a rare achievement for such a young club! Kudos to all the swimmers and especially to John Stapleton and Lee Meehan who, after a number of time trials of each individual competitor, were able to nominate a time for our A-Grade Team that was just over by 1.2 seconds, Wow! When the Nominated Time Relay results were announced at the Presentation event, the room exploded in cheers; a most memorable occasion. A Wobbegong tale is that the Wobbegongs on Huskisson Beach could hear our cheering all the way from WA. A special thanks to Lee Meehan and John Stapleton who again provided enormous support and encouragement to all of our club swimmers prior to and after each individual race; and to our off-water support team whose boundless Wobbegong spirit buoyed us all along!
(Click on the photos below to see full size)
2018 – North Sydney hosted by Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club
A troupe of 14 swimmers and 8 of the off-water support team attended the WSAA National Championships held at the North Sydney Olympic Pool. Our club came 14th in the 10-Aside Nominated Time Relay, a remarkable achievement! Our most senior and much loved member, Nance Eady, won a Silver Medal in the Women's Over 70's Relay event and her daughter, Dale Holland, won bronze for the Wobbegongs, in the Women's Over 65's Race: an amazing mother and daughter team and an inspiration to us all! One very memorable swim with an emotional finish was Don McRae in the Men's Over 75 Race who, when he completed his race, threw his hands up to the thunderous applause and cheer “Go Wobbegong, Go”. John Stapleton and Lee Meehan (Touring Team Manager) provided enormous support and encouragement prior to and after each individual event; so very many thanks. All our members swam exceptionally well in their age races, especially given that this was the first National Championship most of us had competed in. An enjoyable time was had by all and a special thanks to the off-water support team who cheered the swimmers on in true Wobbegong spirit.
A troupe of 14 swimmers and 8 of the off-water support team attended the WSAA National Championships held at the North Sydney Olympic Pool. Our club came 14th in the 10-Aside Nominated Time Relay, a remarkable achievement! Our most senior and much loved member, Nance Eady, won a Silver Medal in the Women's Over 70's Relay event and her daughter, Dale Holland, won bronze for the Wobbegongs, in the Women's Over 65's Race: an amazing mother and daughter team and an inspiration to us all! One very memorable swim with an emotional finish was Don McRae in the Men's Over 75 Race who, when he completed his race, threw his hands up to the thunderous applause and cheer “Go Wobbegong, Go”. John Stapleton and Lee Meehan (Touring Team Manager) provided enormous support and encouragement prior to and after each individual event; so very many thanks. All our members swam exceptionally well in their age races, especially given that this was the first National Championship most of us had competed in. An enjoyable time was had by all and a special thanks to the off-water support team who cheered the swimmers on in true Wobbegong spirit.
2017 – Southport hosted by Gold Coast Marlins Winter Swimming Club
At the end of the Wobbegongs inaugural winter swimming season, John and Christine Stapleton attended the WSAA National Championships held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport, which would become the home of the Commonwealth Games in 2018. John competed in the Men's Over 70's Race and made it to the Finals. Well done John! Half-way through the carnival, the State Member for Southport announced that this was the inaugural year of the Jervis Bay Wobbegong Winter Swimming Club. The response was a hail of cheers and much clapping from all of the other winter swimming clubs.
At the end of the Wobbegongs inaugural winter swimming season, John and Christine Stapleton attended the WSAA National Championships held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport, which would become the home of the Commonwealth Games in 2018. John competed in the Men's Over 70's Race and made it to the Finals. Well done John! Half-way through the carnival, the State Member for Southport announced that this was the inaugural year of the Jervis Bay Wobbegong Winter Swimming Club. The response was a hail of cheers and much clapping from all of the other winter swimming clubs.