PRESIDENTS PRATTLE: NOVEMBER 2023

November has come and gone in a burr!! Members have swum in the Geo Bay Swim, fresh water swim around Lake Leschenaultia and made a mad dash around the pontoon at Doddi's with a near photo finish.

By all accounts the beginning of the Bay swim was pretty rough but as they turned the corner conditions improved. Garry Bowden finishing a solo, 19k swim, in remarkable time considering the conditions plus the teams all finished. It can become Manna's motto, "never give in". Well done to all the swimmers, a great achievement.

4 members travelled to the Lake with yours truly winning closest to the nominated time (taken from last years time). One of our swimmers succeeded in breaking her record!!! A most enjoyable lunch was devoured at the Mundaring Weir Hotel, great little pub with excellent food. Food for thought for next years swim.

After a rocky start with MSA actually cancelling our date (always was the 19th November) for our ABCCC Swim Meet, and not entering our swim on their calendar. We finally had 107 swimmers that entered on the day, which was fantastic. Mandurah had 30 members, great turn out from our members. Special thanks to the Doddi's Salties. Once again I would like to thank ALL MEMBERS for either swimming or volunteering in any positions, as I keep on saying, if we don't get the support from the members we don't have a club. The raffle raised $520.00 with members who keep on giving excellent gifts which is certainly noted, with them beautifully wrapped in boxes. The amount of outside masters swimmers that approached me to comment and thank the Mandurah Club on presenting a most enjoyable lunch, the majority said that they only come down just for the food!!! We, the committee, are open for suggestions if we can improve this swim meet, we welcome constructive feedback. Of course Mandurah brough home the winning club. Just remember we are all volunteers.

A big thank you to Dave Templeton, ALP Minister for Culture Arts and Sports, Lisa Munday, MLA Acting Speaker member for Dawesville, for attending and judging our famous Doddi's Dash. Most impressed how each individual costume was mentioned at the presentation, very professional. Dave and Lisa (who is a swimmer), commented that they were impressed with the effort that went into the designs. Some great marine themes. Remember the more spectators we have the less costumes that will be in the parade, something to think about as the numbers are dwindling in the dress up department.

Barb did an excellent job in handicapping the 36 swimmers that entered in the Dash, some new members, predicating the correct handicap would have been extremely difficult and with a near photo finish. One swimmer in particular decided to head towards the Old Yacht Club, not the only swimmer setting their own course and I'm sure the BIG orange buoys were easy to see. Some terrific times were set. Deb Bloor winning the Golden Goggle's, I'm sure the trophy will be displayed on her mantel piece with pride. A great turn out with family and friends attending plus having the sausage sizzle, a great success. (Thanks to the snags left over from our Bunning's sausage sizzle). I won't be organising the Doddi's Dash next year, hoping someone else will put their hand up.

Coming up on the 10th December is our Christmas Party at the Brighton Hotel, Velour Room (upstairs), 12pm-4pm, please RSVP to Alex so numbers for the catering can be finalised. Don't forget to bring a $5.00 gift for the Secret Santa.

The Swim Thru Freo is on the 9th December, entries close 7th December, South Beach with 250m, 1600m and the 3200m distances.

Entries for the Jetty to Jetty swim are open for early birds, Sunday 10th March is the date set, and we usually have a good attendance from Mandurah Manna's. This swim is run by Cockburn Masters.

Stay safe everyone, remember, Fitness, Friendship and Fun prevails.

Sue Mc