Coach Rod's Page

Interests: Swimming, swim coaching, teaching the adults (who missed out on learning to swim as kids) how to swim, golf, camping, keeping out of trouble.

Aims: To continue coaching and teaching swimming, to get the house renovated, to get below 90 kilos, to learn to hit a consistently good one-wood, to become a level 2 coach, to get back below 30 seconds for 50 free and to one day swim in Lane 4 at a training session.

Background: Competitive swimmer from 1968 to 1977 - started with the Rosebery Swimming Club (on the west coast of Tasmania). Trained under my Dad to start off with and had a few sessions with a bloke by the name of Pat Devine (he had an Aust Record in the Medley back in the early 60's).

Moved back to Victoria (and the Noble Park Swimming Club) in 1975 and got beaten for the first time by a girl. This fish with two legs and two 'X' chromosomes was doing sub 30's for 50 free at a time when I could only manage low 31's. She was a Victorian junior medley champion at the time and was the first person my own age (who I knew personally) who could swim 200 metres butterfly without stopping. Still no excuse though - hey!

While in the Army (from 1980 to 1993), I still managed to win the odd swimming race - so I've never quite let the sport go completely.

Got the racing bug again in '90 and heard about AUSSI Masters at about the same time. I joined Toowoomba AUSSI (in Queensland) and had a couple of seasons with them. Went to Alice Springs for a few years (only swam socially there) and then came to Canberra in '99 where I reacquainted myself with AUSSI again.

While I dislike racing in anything over 200 metres, I can watch other people do it all day - as long as I've got a good book or a newspaper.

Only Claim to Fame: As a young bloke, I beat Greg Fasala (original Mean-Machine member) over 50 and 100 metres freestyle. Alright, he was only 12 at the time and I was 16 (and probably shaving already). Hardly a fair race, but its the only thing I could think of !!!! I wonder if he's in AUSSI.

Reason for Swimming: I enjoy the odd race (sprint) and seeing just how fast I can propel this (no-longer hydro-dynamic) bod through the water - even after a few reds the night before. Although since Shoalhaven (February 2005), I have readjusted my expectations somewhat.

Qualifications: - Austswim - Level 1 (Masters) Coaching - Had an open Drivers Licence for 27 years. - Can take Morse Code at 28 words per minute.

Words of Wisdom: << I'll think of something one day. >>