Okay so to get the Blueseventy on… is like 100 times easier than the LZR!!
(even though it was a size smaller)!
I suppose with the zip-up back it allows for more freedom when putting it on
as it’s not as restricted…
and the panels on the LZR are the other factor that make it so hard!!

I did my time trial and it went well
the time was good…
and I felt really comfortable in it!
It’s VERY different to the LZR though!!
This one, instead of the focus being on the core-stabiliser and legs (that i found in the LZR),
it was on my bum!!
It felt like I had this really big bubble just by my bum!!
But wow what a different it makes to your positioning!!
My bum was lifted a lot, which affected my lunge forward…
It felt good!!
Although I must say, I do like the core-stabiliser in the LZR… which also helps with the lunge forward…
(sorry if you’ve been clueless about the ‘lunge’ Im refering to, its that in the breaststroke!!)
My stoke felt good in the Blueseventy…
It was also nice to use a zip-up as it takes some of the pressure off of the shoulders which felt good!!
The Blueseventy was also a lot easier to take off than the LZR is!

And then today, I did another time trial…
This time, my coach put me in a 24 Jaked…

WOW!!!!! IS THAT THING A MISSION TO GET ON!!
If anyone is planning on attempting this anytime soon, USE PACKETS OVER YOUR FEET!!
The difference they make is HUGE!!!!!!!
(no lies!!!!)
It took me 40minutes to get the Jaked on,
and I had to have a good friend of mine, suffer through putting it on me!!
Saying the thing is tight is an underestimation!!!!
As soon as you pull up on one side, the other rolls and is then IMPOSSIBLE
to pull up!!
It was a mission and a half!!!
I think it would be best if, once the suit is up the the knees, the person wearing it should work at raising it on one leg while a friend does the other leg!!
That way it doesn’t roll and become a total war
(trust me, the suit WILL win the fight if it’s not put on slowly and calmly!!)

It felt good to race in though!!
I didnt have it pulled 100% right at my knees though, so when I was in the water,
it creased behind my knee and actually hurt a little!
It felt soooo smooth though…
My body was really tired today
and I was feeling really sick, so I know I didn’t swim like I normally do…
But, I enjoyed the suit!!
It lifts you up a lot and is kinda a combo of what I;ve experienced in the LZR and Blueseventy!!
Although you should see the bruises I have from my skin being inched as it is pulled up!!
My legs are blue!!

The things we do to race… ha ha!!

Anyway… Now just have to see which of the 3- that I have tried- is going to be the one I compete in at World Cup
The anticipation grows… ha ha!!

Really excited but VERY nervous too!!
Gonna be some BIG boys and girls in Durban
and this is like serious!!
TOTALLY freaks me out thinking about how fast the ladies I have to
compete against are!!
But hey… LEARNING CURVE!!
and great experience

At the beginning of this week, I was able to meet Whitney Myers and
Lara Jackson…
They’re down from Arizona to compete at World Cup
Such awesome girls!!
Like honestly, they have soooo much under their
belts that they could stick their noses in the air about!!
But they really are awesome, down-to-earth people
And they’re also really willing to help out!
Like the tips and crits from people like them at their levels
really make a difference and an impact!!

Well… will keep things as up to date as possible with WC!
Good luck to every one
~specially our SA team

EVENTS:
Freestyle: 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m for women, 1500 m for men
Backstroke: 50 m, 100 m, 200 m
Breaststroke: 50 m, 100 m, 200 m
Butterfly: 50 m, 100 m, 200 m
Individual medley: 100 m, 200 m, 400 m

Since 2001, South Africa has had two men win the World Cup series.
They are namely Ryk Neethling (2004/2005 and 2005/2006) and Cameron van der Burgh (2008).

Durban, South Africa has been a host of one of the legs of the WC series for the past 6 years (2009 included). Which is amazing and a great achievement for Durban as it means we are right up there with the best of the best!! It’s these things that make one PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN!!

This year, the 6 venues for the WC series are:

>> Durban, South Africa (16-17 October 2009)
>> Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (23-25 October 2009) CANCELLED!!
>> Moscow, Russia (6-7 November 2009)
>> Stockholm, Sweden (10-11 November 2009)
>> Berlin, Germany (14-15 November 2009)
>> Singapore (21-22 November 2009)

It’s really important that EVERY swimmer taking part in the WC series, races in a FINA approved suit!

Durban Info:

http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2566&Itemid=622

Moscow Info:

http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2568&Itemid=624

Stockholm Info:

http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2569&Itemid=625

Berlin Info:

http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2570&Itemid=626

Singapore Info:

http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2571&Itemid=627

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR SOUTH AFRICAN SWIMMERS!!
******GO FOR GOLD******

This is probably the most important rule of all the rules: No one’s perfect, breaking a couple of these are acceptable.

1) When practice starts at 4 O’clock, it means come at 4 not 4:30.

2) Your allowed one stroke into the wall when doing kick.

3) No washroom breaks during main set

4) Cool down sets is time to cool down not go have a 30 minute washroom break or have irrelevant conversation with the coach.

5) When a set is descending 1-4, it means the first one is not all out. It better also mean that the last one has to be max effort and not ascending from the slow point.

6) It doesn’t take 10 minutes to get into the water.

7) Its 10 apart, touching another swimmer foot in a set is allowed once, and it should be an accident, anymore is crossing the line.

When the coach says “Do this or we’ll start over” You actually do it so you don’t piss the rest of the team off when the coach stops everyone because you don’t do it.

9) Going all out during warm-up or cool-down makes you uncool.

10) More then 1 stroke of one arm butterfly in a row during a full-stroke butterfly set is not permitted. (1 stroke in case you have to dodge someone or you choke water)

11) When doing resistance training with your kicking board in front of you kicking, and you have only half of the kickboard in the water so you move way faster makes you a slacker.

12) No stopping because you claim that your goggle is too loose when it’s not. (Speedo goggles are pretty much impossible to be too loose, there usually too tight that it makes rings around your eyes.)

13) No pulling on the lane rope while doing backstroke. (It is obvious to everyone that’s looking at you, the lane rope, or the end of the lane rope.)

14) When you’re at a swim meet you must stay away from the cross if you don’t want to be kicked.

15) No flipping over onto your front to swim during backstroke, unless your a new swimmer and don’t know how to finish on your back.

16) No reverting to an easier stroke when doing a hard set.

17) When lanes are on different intervals don’t race to the slowest interval lane.

18) When someone asks you to swim next to them on a test set you should say yes because they think that you would be a good person to push each other to swim faster.

19) If putting the lane ropes in place or putting them away is a team job then everyone as a team should pitch in even a little, not race to the change room.

20) No pacing through a max effort set and then putting effort on the last one to beat everyone. (It makes you an ass)

21) Your permitted 1 washroom break a practice unless you bring a water bottle that is larger then 2 litres.

22) No Skipping out on part of warm down or part of a set by purposely saying your done when you still have more.

23) Peeing in the pool is unpleasant but a fact of life, under no circumstance can you share what you did with the team. (Someone once told me that peeing in the pool shows dedication because you don’t want to miss out on a set)

24) Stealing a swimmers kickboard is like stealing his money.

25) Water in a water bottle is precious, pouring someones water all out is like a stab in the back.

26) You are allowed to scratch or adjust at anytime when you’re wearing a speedo.

27) Your not allowed to whine about how hard practice was unless everyone agrees, if that occurs then everyone can whine.

28) Slackers and Skippers should just stay home.

29) What happens in the pool stays in the pool.

30) No jokes about someone wetting themselves when wearing pants over a swimsuit.

31) Stretching is to be done before a practice, not leaving a set to stretch.

32) Faking a calf cramp is about as low as you can get. (Real calf cramps suck a lot)

33) Leave 5 or 10 seconds apart, either way, don’t leave 1 second after.

34) Leave others equipment alone, don’t throw it in the middle of the pool and make them get it.

35) No one is going to clean up after you.

36) Be a sport and shake your opponents hands after a race.

37) Don’t mock the suit if you can’t rock the suit (Dedicated to (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8705975673)

38) If you need to pass someone, go around, don’t continually try to grab at their feet or cut them off at a turn.

39) Don’t continually jump off the ground of the pool.

40) Get off the “T”! (If you are on the “T” know that it is No man’s land and that if you get hit then you deserve it)

41) Don’t tell the coach that you need to get out early for work or school when really you’re just too tired to complete the set and are going home to sleep.

42) Don’t kick in a pull set.

43) Go hard or Go home

Once again, I can’t stress or emphasis this enough: No one’s perfect, breaking a couple of these are acceptable.

For those who believe that the world would be a safer place without close encounters of the Camel Toe, please voice your grievances here.

Its time we the peace loving citizens of the Republic stood up against those who seek to defame the legacy of the struggle by blatantly paraiding their Camel Toe’s in public.

The Camel Toe pandemic, commonly known as HCTS (Huge Camel Toe Syndrome) has reached epic proportions, and if measures are not taken soon we may all face the same horrible fate as those who have fought before us and failed.

I propose the death penalty to those who would openly flaunt their Camel Toe in public. For the sake of public decency. this is mein kampf (my struggle); to rid the world of all Camel Toes, and make the world a safer place.

Government is considering allowing the Ministry of Home Affairs to institue a National Camel Toe Day, in light of National Cleavage Day. I will be drawing up a petition which will follow soo in order to prevent such an abhorrent event.

BREAKING NEWS: GLOBAL WARMING IS LINKED TO CAMEL TOE-

Yes thats correct, in recent statistics released by the South African Government; HCTS is seen to emerge more rapidly within those communities that lack air-conditioning.

BREAKING NEWS: CAMEL TOES FOR HIRE-

Yes this is a new practice emerging amongst the youth in South Africa, it was said to have first taken hold at a local Night Club in Durban, aka “Refresh”, however it appears that this practice has become even more pervasive since the club was recently shut down….prevent Camel Toes from reaching other night clubs such as Eighties and Casablanca, by enegaging in a time old practice of crotch kicking…more to follow in coming weeks

BREAKING NEWS: CROTCH KICKING 101-

Im obliged to inform you that it has been found that by kicking a Camel Toe in the crotchular region may result in the loss of your foot…be mindful where your foot connects with the Camel Toe, as it may go in, but it might not come back out again….

BREAKING NEWS: TOEZ AT JOEZ-

It has recently come to my attention that there is an increase in Camel Toe infestation at one of our most beloved local night clubs Joes. I urge all of you to remain vigilant and weary of this alarming and somewhat disturbing report. Further investigations will be made into the report; however, given the situation I have decided to raise the warning level to CAMEL TOE BLUE, ie. extreme vigilance and caution must be exercised while at Joes.

BREAKING NEWS: YOU’RE A CAMEL HO, WITH CAMEL TOE-

Research demonstrates liink between being a slut and the likelihood of becoming afflicted by HCTS. (More to follow in the upcoming days)…

>If whenever you hear an electronic beep, and you instinctively jump, you might be a swimmer.

>If you have rings around your eyes unrelated to the amount of sleep you got, you might be a swimmer.

>If waking up before dawn to exercise seems normal, you might be a swimmer. (You might also be crazy)

>If jamming a piece of Styrofoam between your legs is not a kinky sexual activity, you might be a swimmer.

>If bugs die of chlorine poisoning when they land on your skin, you might be a swimmer.

>If you sport long, curling hair with split ends on your legs, you might be a swimmer.

>If the phrase “This set with fins” is better than hearing “You just won $1000,” you might be a swimmer.

>If you answer, “I don’t need to” when someone asks when you showered last, you might be a swimmer.

>If you love a good lightning storm when you have outdoor practice, you might be a swimmer.

>When you learn how to squirt water 15 different ways, you might be a swimmer.

>When your long term goal is to slap your bicep on your lat, you might be a swimmer.

> When you wake up before six for the free doughnuts, you might be a swimmer.

>When you go through so much latex in one season you could wallpaper your room, you might be a swimmer.

>If a friend asks how a certain guy dresses and you reply, “I only see him without his clothes on” you might be a swimmer. [SPEEDOS!!!]

>If your friends have stopped asking you about your plans for the evenings, you might be a swimmer.

>If you go from store to store desperately trying to find your favorite sports drink, you might be a swimmer.

>If the first place you go when you’re stressed out is a swimming pool, you might be a swimmer.

>If among your heroes are Janet, Jenny, or Amanda, or you know who I’m talking about, you might be a swimmer.

>If your daily apparel is held together by knots or is torn and see through, you might be a swimmer.

>If you have an inhaler in every color of the rainbow, you might be a swimmer.

>If the phrase, “50 double armed backstroke with a breast stroke kick makes you happier than anything, you might be a swimmer.

>If being fish-like is a compliment, you might be a swimmer.

>If your friends don’t even call you anymore because they know that you have no time to do anything, you might be a swimmer.

>If your nightmares consist of a series of numbers ending in 0 or 5, you might be a swimmer.

>If you have hickeys on your neck, you might be a swimmer or you might be lucky.

>If you sweat chlorine even after showering, you might be a swimmer.

>If you just don’t understand the charm of the swim suit edition, you might be a swimmer.

>If getting smacked on the butt doesn’t bother you at all, you might be a swimmer.

>If someone asks if you have any siblings and you start listing teammates, you might be a swimmer.

>If you cut yourself every time you shave, because you only do it 3 or 4 times a year and are out of practice, you might be a female swimmer.

> If you are determined, strong, smart and tough, you might be a swimmer.

*If you shamelessly walk around the hallways at school in your bathing suit, you might be a swimmer.

*If you think bald heads are hot, you might be a female swimmer.

*If the person who sits behind you in you’re math class always tells you that you reak of chlorine, you might be a swimmer.

* If land is your second home, you might be a swimmer.

* If you sometimes have trouble walking because you aren’t use to it, you might be a swimmer.

* If you suck at running, you might be a swimmer.

* If your stronger than many of the guys and all the girls in your grade, you might be a female swimmer.

* If you have to try on 30 shirts just to find one that fits your shoulders, you might be a female swimmer.

* If your hair remains in a wet ponytail throughout the day, you might be a swimmer.

* If when the life guard tryouts say you have to swim a 500 in less than 9 minutes you laugh, you might be a swimmer.

* If you have a permanent suit, goggle, and cap tan, you might be a swimmer.

* If all you ever do is eat and sleep during school, you might be a swimmer.

* If all your saturday and friday nights are spent around water, you might be a swimmer.

* If The Toadies “I Come From The Water” is your theme song, you might be a swimmer.

* If the first thing you look at in a guy is abs, you might be a female (maybe even a male) swimmer.

* If you are at the school so early in the morning for practice that you beat the janitors there and the lights in the parking lot are off, you might be a swimmer.

*If a practice of only 5000 yards sounds like heaven to you, you might be a swimmer.

*If you practice 3 or more times a day during the summer, you might be a swimmer.

*If your used to takin a 2 miinute shower and rushing to get dressed just to make it to class a minute after the tardy bell rings, you might be a female swimmer.

* And finally, If every time someone complains about how early they got up to get ready for school, you turn around and bite their head off and almost beat the living **** out of them, you might be a swimmer.

*If your shoes always squeak when you walk down the hall, you might be a swimmer.

*If you walk around with minimal amounts of clothing on, you might be a swimmer.

*If the only thing you can talk about is swimming, you might be a swimmer.

*If you pee on the pooldeck then walk around barefoot, you might be a male swimmer.

*If there are wet towels over every door in your house, you might be a swimmer.

*If your siblings call you beefstick, man-shoulders, Amazon, or Behemoth (emphasis on the HE), you might be a swimmer

BOYS:
Heindrich Alberts,
Dylan Bosch,
Werner Bosman,
Hermanus Botha,
Christopher Cowley,
Mark de Swardt,
Niel de Villiers,
Willian Diering,
Gideon du Toit,
Ricky Ellis,
Lyndon Ferns,
Cheyne Fisher,
Wesley Gilchrist,
Frank Greeff,
Marius Hattingh,
Chad Ho,
Marco Husselmann,
Rohan Jacobs,
Marko Janse van Nieuwenhuizen,
Daan Jansen,
Warren Karsten,
Justin Kermack,
Nicholas Kieck,
Chris King,
Marco Le Grange,
Chris Langly,
Jason Lawson,
Chad le Clos,
Kyle MacMillan,
Jacques Malan,
Danie Marais,
David Marais,
Murray McDougall,
Connor McLeod,
Michael Meyer,
Darren Murray,
Dean Myhill,
Matthew Napier-Jameson,
Bertie Nel,
Melvin Nel,
Ashley Oliver,
Terence Parkin,
Claudio Pereira,
Michael Pieterson,
Reynier Pretorius,
Abdul-Malick Railoun,
Riaan Schoeman,
Roland Schoeman,
Leith Shankland,
Gregory Stojakovic,
Jay-Cee Thompson,
Darian Townsend,
Garth Tune,
Cameron van der Burgh,
Donaven ven der Merwe,
Chris van der Sande,
Kyle van Huizen,
Conrad van Rensburg,
Jasper Venter,
Neil Versfeld,
Martin Vogel,
Neil Watson,
Daniel Wessels,
Reynard Wessels,
Wilken Jurie,
Gerhard Zandberg,
Giulio Zorzi,
Kyle Baxter,
Doron Benjamin,
George du Rand,
Kyle Duckitt,
Heerden Herman,
Ioto Iotov,
Sarel Lamprecht,
Jared Pike,
Sebastien Rousseau,
Charl van Zyl

GIRLS:
Claire Archibald,
Jessica Ashley-Cooper,
Jessica Bartram,
Kathryn Bauman,
Tanya Bouffe,
Jessica Bragason,
Nicole Brits,
Terianne Brown,
Liezl Burger,
BO Cameron,
Bianca Cant,
Oneida Cooper,
Lisa Cowling,
Tamlin Crafford,
Peggy de Villiers,
Natasha de Vos,
Dominque Dryding,
Jeanie du Toit,
Natalie du Toit,
Janke Engelbrecht,
Sarah Ferguson,
Kayla Ferreira,
Emma Forbes-Milne,
Kera Hauptfleisch,
Bianca Hauzer,
Ryleigh Jacobs,
Suzanne Janse van Rensburg,
Caitlyn Kat,
Chiquita Labuschagne,
Christy Lategan,
Jessica Liss,
Alison-Jayne Logan,
Mandy Loots,
Danielle Lushington,
Taryn Mackenzie,
Laura McCulloch,
Lindsay McLeod,
Dani Meerholtz,
Bianca Meyer,
Roxanne Meyer,
Courtnay Mower,
Kristy Muller,
Kerryn Mullin,
Nina Nicholas,
Keri Plumstead,
Tyne Potgieter,
Karin Prinsloo,
Tracy Randelhoff,
Tasmynne Roe,
Ronwyn Roper,
Megan Stephens,
Roxanne Tammadge,
Yolandi van der Merwe,
Leanie van der Merwe,
Karlien van Heerden,
Chanelle van Wyk,
Zoe Venter,
Rene Warnes,
Michelle Wessels,
Kirsty Wienand,
Camilla Wolfson,
Megan Hattingh,
Amy Lombard,
Lauren Mattheus,
Katheryn Meaklim,
Jean Marie Neethling

Will put up a list up of the SA team that’ll be competing!!

More info about the WC and the different legs of it etc can be found on www.fina.org

17 days and counting!!!!

Chad le Clos, after a break after returning from Rome, had his taste of excitement and fame!!
He had an amazing weekend of racing and the crowd was LOVING him!!
He was definately in demand between swims as younger admiring swimmers were all over him for photos and autographs!!

A mention must definatley go out to the Men Open Seagulls relay team!! The four- being Charl van Zyl, Wesley Gilchrist, Chad le Clos and Jasper Venter- smashed the 4x200m AND 4x100m free SA and All African Record!!! All suited in Arena X-glides, these Seagulls golden boys had the crowd behind them as they proved they could do it!!!!
WELL WELL DONE BOYS!!!!