Event Wrap - 2023 NZ Masters Swimming Championships
The 2023 NZ Masters Swimming Championships were held over the weekend at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre with 142 swimmers taking part in the event. It was the first time in four years that the event had been held, and also the first time that Swimming NZ and NZ Masters Swimming had partnered together for to deliver the event.
Across the three afternoons of racing, there was a great vibe as swimmers from around the country donned their togs. For some Aquablacks it was a return to swimming competition, with Moss Burmester, Mark Weldon, Laura Quilter and Willy Benson standing up behind the blocks. Alongside them we had some of our eldest competitors, with Michael Tunnicliffe (91 years) and Jeanette Barker (90 years) light up the pool. With a variety of experience levels and ages involved, it was a supportive weekend of racing.
There were loads of NZ Masters Age Records broken across the weekend, with a total of 49 NZ Masters Age Records. Whilst these records will be ratified and processed over the coming days, we would like to congratulate the following swimmers on their records:
Jeanette Barker (90-94 Years – Napier Masters)
Willy Benson (35-39 Years – Heretaunga Old Devils Masters)
Moss Burmester (40-44 Years – SwimTastic Masters Swim Club)
Colin Coombs (30-34 Years – Roskill Masters)
Robyn Crotty (60-64 Years – Jasi Masters)
Brent Foster (55-59 Years – Roskill Masters)
Craig Hudgell (65-69 Years - Liz van Welie Masters)
Raphael Marinzeck Barborema (40-44 Years – Tasman Gold)
Sue Pollard (80-84 Years – North Shore Masters)
June Schaap (55-59 Years – Dunedin Masters)
Kyla Steenhart (45-49 Years – Roskill Masters)
Rebecca Tohill (60-64 Years - Dunedin Masters)
Michael Tunnicliffe (90-94 Years – Makino Masters)
Andy Vonasch (35-39 Years – Jasi Masters)
The relays were also a highlight each session, with a combination of club teams and combined teams matching off in the middle of the pool. The Auckland region took home the sought after Ngaire Prentice Trophy as the winner of the 6 x 50m Freestyle Regional Relay. Congratulations also goes to the Roskill Masters relay team for their record breaking performance.
Another highlight of the weekend was the open water skills clinic that Aquablack Ruby Heath delivered after racing on Friday afternoon. The session saw 20 swimmers learn about how to sight and practice their skills. After the success and popularity of this clinic, we look forward to planning and offering more of these opportunities in the future.
The battle for top club was close, with Roskill Masters claiming the victory (182 points), ahead of Makino Masters (165 points) and Dunedin Masters (162 points).
During the prize giving after the final session, some other trophies and awarded were presented:
Tom Logan Memorial Trophy – Richard Swallow (Masterton Masters)
National LC Men’s 50m Freestyle Champion – Mark Weldon (Roskill Masters)
National LC Women’s 50m Freestyle Champion – Marina McCartney
It was great to offer this opportunity for anyone aged 18+ to participate, with the event open to swimmers who aren’t members of a swimming club. It was great to have more than 20 swimmers racing that aren’t part of a club. Don’t miss out on this event when we host in 2024, keep an eye out for dates and more information coming soon.
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