Casey Seals’ 2015
For the Casey Seals 2015 has been a very mixed year with extreme lows tempered with some moments of sunshine. Early in the year we all had to grapple with fact that one of own, Andrew Hollas, had passed away while doing what he loved, swimming. This was a hard time for us all and our hearts go out to Jane Hollas and family through what has been a very sad time. It is an important and poignant reminder to reflect on importance of looking out for one another in the pool.
However, there have been some bright moments. There is something very special in the water at Casey ARC and we were blessed with five new additions to the Seals family with Molly Thwaites, Trish Seegers, Victoria Greenhan, Victoria Hovsepian and Raelene Anderson all welcoming young ones.
Trish Seegers left us and moved to Germany for work. Trish reports that her son is learning to swim like a German, which includes a frog-‐legged, head above water, glide. She misses the sun!
The Casey Seals Splash unfortunately had to be cancelled due to some confusion over sanctioned events, but never fear The Splash will be back in 2016! The Seals are working with MSV administration to tie this up as a warm-‐up event before the MSV Short Course Championship mid-‐year (school holidays permitting). Best you all tighten your goggles!
A number of Seals have been actively participating in swim clinics and programs provided by MSV and other, including the OWS program. The feedback from our members has been that programs have been very valuable and important in stroke and race development, which supplements our training program.
Jan Gooey went on a big Russian adventure and represented the Seals at the 16th 2015 FINA World Masters Championships in Kazan. This year the Masters’ followed the Elite (the young guns) Championships, so security was firmly in place within the athletes’ village and each sports venue. Tighter than any airport check-‐in, Russia took the security of their international guests seriously! Jan came away with no coloured bling, but 5 top ten medals of the 5 events entered. Best result was two 5th placings. Well done, Jan.
Finally, after years of domination by Ebony Ebenwaldner & Sarah Byron, the much coveted Casey Seals Open Water Swim Award had a new name on it. Aurel Wachter had a fantastic 2014/15 season to take out the award. It’s hotting up again so we can’t wait to get back racing in salt water.