|
|
|
 |
|
|
As a group, we are all looking to seize our
own limits. We have had many success stories,
and we are looking forward to a few more. This page is dedicated to
sharing a few of those stories. There are many to choose from, yet these
seem to stand out . . .
|
|
Age: 30
Vibrantly Married
The Helen Conway story is one well worth being told, often; so lets share it. |
|
20km Starters
Helen Swimming
Helen Finishing
The Team |
It’s October 2005. The new
season’s squad is assembling itself, and the group is starting to form. We are
introduced to a ‘pool-less’ swimmer, who upon first warm up was obviously a
seasoned swimmer. The technical rhythm suggested an avid open water participant
as well.
When first queried about her open water experience, the reply was, “I do not
swim in the ocean, and you will never get me into it either”. At first, my
reaction was of surprise, as her stroke and stamina suggested otherwise. The
second and more important reaction, to me, was one of a coaching challenge. “How
long will it take?”
Well, it didn’t take too long in the end. Not much more than her first attempt.
Now, most of us wonder if we’ll ever get her out of the ocean, especially her
supportive golfing husband.
With a passion befitting any, Helen tore into her first season. Coogee came and
went, and a thirst began. It did not take long for the 5km to become a target.
In an extremely quick 3 months, she went from not having swum one open water
event to looking to take on a minimum of an hour in Lake Burley Griffin.
That’s not just popping down to your local beach and challenging the island.
This is taking a holiday and having a swim while you’re there, sort of. The
challenge was accomplished, too easily, however; and the thirst was not yet
quenched. Next up, let’s swim the 11km of Bridge to Beach.
It’s not everyone that seems vaguely interested in spending a minimum of 3 hours
in the Sydney Harbour. Helen was not only piqued - she wanted it!
Damn blue bottles. Definitely still thirsty.
I still think the 10k Cole Classic was just a stepping stone, but what a step it
was. The first time you finish a 10km swim will always be special. That day at
Manly was certainly a good experience; but you couldn’t help thinking that it
might have only ended up being training for an onward objective.
At his stage, after deciding to attempt her first ever ocean swim less than 15
months earlier, Helen has joined a not too populated group of swimmers finishing
a 10k open ocean swim. Three months earlier, less than one year after the thirst
was caught, she had already made the decision to take on the 20km Lake Argyle
swim in Western Australia.
Again this is not just popping down and supporting the local surf lifesaving
club. This is accepting a journey that includes an entire way of life. A
challenge that takes you across the continent, traverses identities, and creates
lifelong friendships. That ‘I have to do it attitude’ is extremely powerful.
And that is exactly what Helen Conway did. She accepted an individual challenge,
pursued the required tasks to accomplish her goal, and put the work in to get
across the line.
In June 2007, Helen finished a 20 kilometer swim in the fresh water of Lake
Argyle in Western Australia. Her progression went from a 1km splash at Coogee in
November, 2005, to a bunch of Sunday races throughout the summer, to this elite
event.
She joins a very elite group of marathon swimmers who, defined by FINA, has
passed the 5-hour mark in competition. Not only that, who has a sense of
connection for having toiled so hard at one purpose, and who knows that their
efforts came through.
I would like to publicly congratulate Helen for her efforts and accomplishment.
Helen, you have embodied the exact spirit that we are all working on. Very well
done! Good work, also, to the entire group involved, training partners Ana, Marg,
and all, as well as inspirational partners, especially John. |
|
|
 
Our first encounter with Beverly
was in early January, 2003, when she keenly asked, "Can you help me with my
swimming? I would love to be able to swim over-arm stroke across the whole
pool". I was very impressed with her enthusiasm and admired her
courage. Only six short weeks later, Beverly swam (in her favourite Lane
1) the 50 meter length unaided over-arm freestyle, comfortably breathing every
other arm stroke. All there could feel the excitement in the air.
Upon finishing, her first statement was, "ooh, I'm there already",
also heard was, "I'm so happy I could cry", which truly describes her
wonderful soul. Good on you, Bev, you are a great inspiration.
Beverly is now planning on tumble turns, after already mastering her dive.
|
|
 
Lauren joined us as part of our Christmas
2006 Holiday Stroke Clinics, timidly taking to the water, yet showing a strong
determination to get better. Deathly afraid of diving, we worked our way
towards comfortably finishing 50 meters of each formed stroke. With no
history of squad training, Lauren joined the Stroke Development Group and
started improving by leaps and bounds. So much so, she swam well enough in
her first school carnival to earn a spot in the District Carnival, where she
competed in the 50 meter freestyle (with a dive from the platform).
Keep up the good work Lauren!
|
|
|
