Levin Masters swimmers mark 40 years with Legend of the Lake challenge

Levin Masters Swimmers at Rotorua: Standing from left Lesley Parkin, Jan-Maree Brown, Nick Robinson, Ron Parkin, Heather King, Mike Johnston, Dean Harrison, Rod Pittams, Denise Ridley. Sitting from left: Karen Johnston and Rosie Pittams. Photo / Mark Tantrum

Masters swimming has long been a part of the Horowhenua landscape and caters for adults (20 years and over) who enjoy swimming for fitness, fun and friendship and meeting fortnightly on Friday evenings at the Levin Aquatic Centre. Members span a wide range of ages and abilities – all with a common interest in swim training programmes and improvement in strokes and skills.

Generally, activities are centred around pool swimming, with a growing number of members competing in open water events for many years. As the Club enters its 40th year it was agreed to make a team trip to the event at Rotorua's Blue Lake. The range of swims taking place catered for everyone involved – and we came with some excellent supporters.

The main event – a 3.5km swim – was entered by our chairman Nick Robinson, Mike Johnston and Dean Harrison, with Mike gaining a second-place medal in his age group.
Another event – the Rotovegas 1000m – was entered by Karen Johnston, Lesley Parkin, Ron Parkin and Lindsay Duncan.

The Rotovegas 500m was swum by Denise Ridley, gaining 1st placing in her age group, and Rosie Pittams (current club captain and Swimmer of the Year). Rod Pittams also tried out this event for the first time.

Another interesting event was the Amphibia – a 1.7km swim, 3.5km run and 500m swim.
Dean Harrison, Jan Maree Brown, Heather King and Alan Bull competed in this event.

Having had a quieter year during 2020, the club will be once again holding the Levin Masters Annual Swim meet on June 18/19, bringing in entrants from all over the lower North Island and some from beyond.

This event first took place at Kohitere Pool in 1985 and it is always well attended, involving distance events on Friday evening and shorter events with relays and special challenges on Saturday.

Levin Masters Swim Club had entrants in the 3.5km Legend of the Lake. From left: Dean Harrison, Nick Robinson and Mike Johnston.

Other Horowhenua participants who competed in the open water events in Rotorua and representing the Levin-Waitarere Surf Club and the Levin Swimming Club were:

Liz Fitzgibbon (1000m), Courtenay (3.5km and Amphibian), Cooper (100m)
Andrew Parkin (3.5km – 1st in Age Group; and Amphibian), Philippa (1000m and Amphibian), Maddie (1000m and Amphibian).

Jacqui – (1st in age group), with Georgia and Hana Kerins in 1000m with Hana also in the Amphibian.

Ollie Kennett (3.5km) and Jack Kennett (1000m)

Dan Turner in the Amphibian, Fergus (1000m) and Fleur attempting the 100m.
Anna Cooper (500m) and Bessie (100m).