SWEET MOMENT: Paihia's Sue Rogers exited the water at the marina steps in downtown Auckland earlier this month.
SWEET MOMENT: Paihia's Sue Rogers exited the water at the marina steps in downtown Auckland earlier this month.
Paihia swimmer Sue Rogers has made it two out two in her 2015/16 New Zealand Ocean Swim Series campaign after completing the Harbour Crossing earlier this month.
Rogers admitted she found the Auckland event on Saturday, December 12, quite challenging, noting the estimated field of 1400 had to swim throughsome big swells in the middle of the crossing. She eventually completed the 2.9km swim in just over 1 hour 14 minutes, the 986th swimmer in a field of 1238 finishers, and 9th overall out of 15 in the women's 60-64 age bracket.
"The Harbour Crossing was awesome!" Sue said, going on to describe the iconic and unique perspective afforded the swimmers of the Harbour Bridge on their right whilst aiming towards the Sky Tower as an "inspiring" one. Admitting she was more "steady plodder than speedster", the Far North woman also reaffirmed her unreserved support for the ocean swim series concept.
"What I love most is the camaraderie, calming nerves, sharing tips and hearing other's stories of facing and overcoming their own challenges to reach this point; then watching others after you come through the finish line, and seeing swimmers of every shape and size, men, women, and youngsters, both able and disabled, finishing with huge grins of relief and accomplishment.
"The swims are so well organised and offer opportunity to swim places that normally you'd not be allowed to. Boat traffic is diverted or stopped to let us through, with lifesavers on surfboards nearby all the way and safety boats to pick anyone up if needed. With opportunities like that how can you not do it?"
Now preparing for the next leg in the series at Christchurch in February, Sue promised there'd be "no slacking off" and confirmed she will keep up with her regular 2-3km swims each week as she remains focused on realising a goal of swimming six events of the seven on this summer's series.
"My swimming buddies all agree we feel so much healthier, fitter and happier since we started regular swimming. We all started small, and mostly in the local pool, then progressed to the sea. We all have lessons at times, and are very safety conscious, swimming within our ability yet being challenged so we progress."
The remaining events on the 2015 NZOS Series are the Capital Classic at Wellington on January 31 (which Sue won't be at because of prior commitments), The Christchurch Crown on February 13, the Legend of the Lake at Rotorua on February 28, the Sand to Surf at Mt Maunganui on March 12 and the King of the Bays in Auckland on April 2.
