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The New Home of Lurgan Masters & Open Water Swim Club
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New Gear Alert! |
4th November 2022
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With the rename of the club comes the new gear! There are lots of different items to choose from so order soon as the link closes on the 13th of November.
https://playr-fit.com/south-lake-masters/
https://playr-fit.com/south-lake-masters/
Leslie you LEGEND! |
21st October 2022
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Hats off to this man! Leslie just went and completed a Half Ironman in Portugal! For someone who just completed his first triathlon in July that is very impressive. Distances covered in a Half Ironman are: 1.9km Swim, 90km Bike & 21.1 Run. Not only did Leslie complete it, with a time of just over 6.5 hours he finished 27th in his division. Considering how many competitors attend these events that's simply fantastic. Well done Leslie!
There are a few Ironmen in our ranks! |
2nd October 2022
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In very hot conditions they not only completed the Barcelona Ironman but cruised through each stage! The Ironman events are an ultimate test of physical fitness and endurance, as well as a mental challenge. Distances covered are: 3.8km Swim, 180km Bike & 42.2km Run (a marathon).
The club is incredibly proud of their achievements and they are an inspiration to us all.
L-R: Gareth, Donal, Ciaran, Steven & Connor
Special thanks to Connor for travelling over with them to facilitate and support as it was a massive help for the guys.
The club is incredibly proud of their achievements and they are an inspiration to us all.
L-R: Gareth, Donal, Ciaran, Steven & Connor
Special thanks to Connor for travelling over with them to facilitate and support as it was a massive help for the guys.
The Big Bay Swim |
26th September 2022
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Big Bay Swim (renamed to Big washing machine)
Last open water swim event of the season but a first OW event for many of our members in seriously tough weather conditions; (L-R) Louise, Stephen, Donal, Catherine H, Nadine, Catherine D & Kathy. Hats off to Catherine D, Catherine H & Kathy completing the 1.5k in skins!
Donal the champ taking 1st place overall in the 3k race!
Nadine Murray’s first open water race taking 1st place in the wetsuit 1.5k.. no sharks were spotted.
Coach Catherine H there to support the club swimmers and placed 1st in the skins 1.5k race.. or 1.68 to be exact!
Amazing results for the club!!
Last open water swim event of the season but a first OW event for many of our members in seriously tough weather conditions; (L-R) Louise, Stephen, Donal, Catherine H, Nadine, Catherine D & Kathy. Hats off to Catherine D, Catherine H & Kathy completing the 1.5k in skins!
Donal the champ taking 1st place overall in the 3k race!
Nadine Murray’s first open water race taking 1st place in the wetsuit 1.5k.. no sharks were spotted.
Coach Catherine H there to support the club swimmers and placed 1st in the skins 1.5k race.. or 1.68 to be exact!
Amazing results for the club!!
Daniel and Leslie go OFFROAD! |
24th September 2022
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Daniel and Leslie had a triathlon with a difference as they headed to Shane's Castle in Antrim for the inaugural Legend of the Lough. This triathlon is a bit different with the bike segment on an off-road bike travelling over mixed-surface farm lanes and tracks of the estate. Both the guys had a fantastic outing (check out those conditions!) with Daniel placing 12th overall and Leslie winning his category. Well done guys!!
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The boys are back! |
17th September 2022
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Both Connor and Paul joined the masters at the beginning of last season. Here they are, a year on having completed the 3.9km Great Fjord Swim!
Paul said, "If you’d have said to me a year ago I’d be doing that, [the Lord of the Lough swim] or the 3.9k [the Great Fjord Swim] I wouldn’t have believed anyone".
Meanwhile Connor has been bitten by the OW bug. "Amazing swim and very lucky with conditions and water temp open water swimming is just brilliant ".
Both are a credit to the club bringing enthusiasm and craic to every pool session. I wonder what these two achieve after a second year in the masters!
Paul said, "If you’d have said to me a year ago I’d be doing that, [the Lord of the Lough swim] or the 3.9k [the Great Fjord Swim] I wouldn’t have believed anyone".
Meanwhile Connor has been bitten by the OW bug. "Amazing swim and very lucky with conditions and water temp open water swimming is just brilliant ".
Both are a credit to the club bringing enthusiasm and craic to every pool session. I wonder what these two achieve after a second year in the masters!
Lord of the Lough! |
10th September 2022
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CONGRATULATIONS ANDY!
Doc is the new "Lord of the Lough" finishing first the 2022 event at Camlough lake.
Andy completed the 2.5km swim in approx 34 mins to take home the title.
Paul put in a massive shift too coming home around the 50min mark. He's come on leaps and bounds since joining the club and this tees him up nicely for his next fjord challenge.
After the event Andy was quick to praise masters coach and open water legend, Francie. "Real thanks goes to Francie for telling me to go last night and being there today for everyone".
What a result for the club.
Doc is the new "Lord of the Lough" finishing first the 2022 event at Camlough lake.
Andy completed the 2.5km swim in approx 34 mins to take home the title.
Paul put in a massive shift too coming home around the 50min mark. He's come on leaps and bounds since joining the club and this tees him up nicely for his next fjord challenge.
After the event Andy was quick to praise masters coach and open water legend, Francie. "Real thanks goes to Francie for telling me to go last night and being there today for everyone".
What a result for the club.
Annual swim Camp in Mallorca |
3rd-7th August 2022
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This year's swim camp in Mallorca was, like every other year, simply fantastic! Days 1, 2 & 4 we had a 2 hour coached session (by the wonderful Catherine) in an outdoor 50m pool. On day 3 we were treated to an amazing open water swim along the coast.
There's nothing like swimming in the sun and having an all inclusive to help you get those calories on board...and of course the rehydration, although some of the drinks might not count towards that!
There's nothing like swimming in the sun and having an all inclusive to help you get those calories on board...and of course the rehydration, although some of the drinks might not count towards that!
Wonder Woman Jo |
6th August 2022
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Another insprational member of our club; Jo competed in the Omagh Tri a Tri event this morning. In her first ever triathlon she not only smashed it but podiumed with first overall female! Wow!
Jo is a champion of #nevergiveup and #mentalhealth. After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2009 she has shown that anything is possible by embracing positivity and the strength of the mind & body. From barely being able to walk 10 metres Jo started park runs, orienteering and eventually competed in the European Masters Athletic Championships where she finished top 10 in her age group. She can now add Triathlete Winner to that list!
View her story in her own words at: fb.watch/ax1-OPgA6q/
Jo is a champion of #nevergiveup and #mentalhealth. After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2009 she has shown that anything is possible by embracing positivity and the strength of the mind & body. From barely being able to walk 10 metres Jo started park runs, orienteering and eventually competed in the European Masters Athletic Championships where she finished top 10 in her age group. She can now add Triathlete Winner to that list!
View her story in her own words at: fb.watch/ax1-OPgA6q/
Ben competes in the Nobull CrossFit Games, Wisconsin, USA |
5th August 2022
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Super proud of Ben our Gala coordinator. Turns out he's not just a beast over a 25m, 50m, or 100m sprint, but he can also throw some pretty heavy weight around very quickly too!
"Six months ago, I had never done a CrossFit Open. All I wanted to do was hopefully finish Top 20 in the neuromuscular adaptive division so I could make the semi-finals and suffer through a few more virtual workouts for fun. And now I’m here."
Check Ben out in this ITV segment: www.itv.com/news/utv/2022-07-15/portadown-athletes-first-team-in-ireland-to-qualify-for-crossfit-games
Ben competed in the adaptive division as he suffers from MS. Absolute legend and an inspiration to us all!
"Six months ago, I had never done a CrossFit Open. All I wanted to do was hopefully finish Top 20 in the neuromuscular adaptive division so I could make the semi-finals and suffer through a few more virtual workouts for fun. And now I’m here."
Check Ben out in this ITV segment: www.itv.com/news/utv/2022-07-15/portadown-athletes-first-team-in-ireland-to-qualify-for-crossfit-games
Ben competed in the adaptive division as he suffers from MS. Absolute legend and an inspiration to us all!
Weekend for the win! |
31st July 2022
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What a weekend for South Lake Masters swimmers!
On Saturday Kirsten, Donal and Leslie took part in Newry Triathlon Club's Top of the Mournes Olympic distance triathlon.
Kirsten had a fantastic race winning her age group.
Donal had a tougher time but still managed a top 10 finish in the swim.
Leslie picked one of the toughest triathlons for his first one and finished in style...onwards and upwards for him.
Then on Sunday Daniel topped his age group in the Virginia Triathlon & Cycling Club .
Major kudos!!
On Saturday Kirsten, Donal and Leslie took part in Newry Triathlon Club's Top of the Mournes Olympic distance triathlon.
Kirsten had a fantastic race winning her age group.
Donal had a tougher time but still managed a top 10 finish in the swim.
Leslie picked one of the toughest triathlons for his first one and finished in style...onwards and upwards for him.
Then on Sunday Daniel topped his age group in the Virginia Triathlon & Cycling Club .
Major kudos!!
Captain Frantastic! |
22nd May 2022
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During today's Swim Ulster meet at South Lake Leisure Centre & Watersports we were privileged to be able to present one of our club's founders a map of his epic Lap of the Lough. As the first person to circumnavigate the Lough, Francie raised a phenomenal amount of money for children's charities as well as much needed awareness, all inspired by the sad passing of his grandson Orán.
Francie continues to inspire, often from the poolside where he's taken tremendous pride in the progress of the new recruits.
There's only one #CaptainFrantastic and we are lucky to have him!
Francie continues to inspire, often from the poolside where he's taken tremendous pride in the progress of the new recruits.
There's only one #CaptainFrantastic and we are lucky to have him!
