for ages 19 to 119
All bird watchers….just spotted in George today – a new sub-species of Fish Eagle. It is the red-beaked, four-eyed, pink-headed Haliaeetus Vocifer Marilynatis. This bird is easily identified and her habitat includes Virgin Active and the Glenwood School pool. She likes watery spots and is known for her swimming abilities.
Early on 1 January 2021 the Fish Eagles set off to the Swartvlei Equastrian Estate for a lovely swim in the Wolweriver. Due to some unfortunate incidents including bakkies, mud, slipping and sliding and a long walk, we finally manage to reach the river. After all that excitement a swim was just what we needed to settle the nerves. In a beautiful setting, lovely water and great company we started the New Year off with a bang.
Getting out of the estate was much easier and faster than getting in, so after the swim we set of to Dix-Inn nearby to enjoy the hospitality of our hostess, Judy Dixon for some coffee, fruit cake and “botterkoek”. We even celebrated the New Year with some bubbly.
Since lockdown ended and the country moved to level 3, the Fish Eagles were out and about having as many swimming sessions as possible. We had:
Open Water Swim Sessions: Taking place along the Garden Route in Lake Pleasant, Island Lake and Serpentine river to name just a few.
Virgin Active Sessions: Group sessions under the whip of Tanya and / or individual sessions at own time and pace
Coffee Sessions: Yes, it is a very important part of our training.
Glenwood School Sessions: Now that we have permission to use the pool at Glenwood there is just no stopping us. Tanya picked up the pace on our training and have us fit as fiddles. With the sad news of Masters 2021 being cancelled we are still enthusiastic and still training.
Did we mention Champagne sessions??
SA masters swimming Champs 10-15th March 2020 – as reported by Tanya Osborne
Prior to lockdown, the Fish Eagles Masters were fortunate enough to compete in the South African Masters Swimming Champs held in Germiston, Gauteng over the dates 10 to 15th March 2020.
A small team of six Fish Eagles Masters competed with a total of 18 Medals and numerous placings in the top ten, a great achievement for our Eden Masters swimmers!
Unfortunately, FEMS were only able to take part in one relay, placing a brilliant 4th place against many competitive teams in the 4x50m Freestyle mixed relay.
Out of retirement ex Champ, Eugene Schoombie, achieved some excellent times as well as 1 gold, 2 bronze medals, two 5th placings and a 7th in his events.
First timer, Johan Kok, achieved 1 bronze medal, as well as 7th, 9th and 11th in his respective races, impressing everyone at his first ever masters champs. We look forward to see him styling in the water next year!
We welcome back to masters swimming, Mandi Wallace, a young at heart old hand at many sports won a bronze in the 3km open water swim as well as a 4th place in the 800m pool swim.
Also welcoming back Iron man and Road runner extraordinaire Cliff Wallace who achieved a 4th, 5th and 7th in his races.
Pippy Bishop swam her magic racking in 3 golds, 3 silvers and a 4th place. She was presented with her South African Masters Swimming Ten year award, a great achievement in the swimming circles!
Tanya Osborne achieved 4 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze as well as making the top ten for the prestigious dash for cash (under 50 year olds) coming in 5th!
All in all, this was a great outcome for such a small club and we look forward to next years Champs in Belville, Cape town during the second week in March 2021.
Any one wanting to get swimming fit, or merely join as a social member, can contact Judy Dixon 072 390 6667 or Jill Black 083 420 5029 or check out our facebook site fisheaglemasters or email fisheaglesmasters@gmail.com.
Come join us swimming for fun, fitness and fellowship!
The Fish Eagles are making the most of summer and getting as much swims in as possible. Apart from training at Virgin Active they are taking to the waters all over the Garden Route. From Lake Pleasant, to Lake Island to Ebb and Flow, Knysna Lagoon, Mossel Bay and beyond. They are competing in events like the Midmar Mile, the Knysna Mile, Biathlons, but most of all they are preparing for the Masters Championship in Germiston in March 2020.
Fish Eagles Masters Swimming 