FEBRUARY 2006 NEWSLETTER

 The Committee of Whalers would like to wish all its members the best in 2006.  Welcome to new members  Roelf van Weele, Louis Koen, Cliff Coombe, Jackie Schneider, Cecelia Koen, Bernard Nel, Johan de Kok, Michelle Botes, Johan van Zyl and Yvonne Lerm.  Valerie van Deventer who started Whalers in 1996 has rejoined the Club, and we wish her successful running with us. Congratulations also to Gert Koen who celebrated his 80th birthday on 20 January 2006.  Our license fees to Boland Athletics are due by the end of February so if you intend getting a number for 2006 please do so soon – contact Ruby Waters

The year got off to a good start with 16 members running the Bay to Bay on 14 January. The results were covered in the Hermanus Times

Designated Races

The Committee has decided to encourage the participation of all Whalers in the following six road races in 2006:

At all these events there are shorter distances so that walkers can also participate.  At each one of these races we will try and erect our new Gazebo(weather permitting) so we can get together afterwards.  There will be free drinks for all finishers. 

Prize Categories

The Committee has also decided to award the following trophies/certificates at the AGM.

Social

The Committee has planned its first social event on the 20th April after the time trial.  It will be an ‘aches and pains party’ (after Two Oceans) consisting of a braai at the Cricket Club.  Drinks will be sponsored to some extent.  Further details will follow.

Personalities of the club  -  Carina van der Merwe

Carina, the current Race Co-ordinator, has been a member of the club since its inception in 1996.

She has also been the force behind the very popular Whale Half Marathon for the past 8 years and is well known in Boland Athletics circles.  Carina has been road running for 20 years having started at Stellenbosch University.  A Comrade novice in 2004 she was the first Whaler home in 2004 and 2005 with a best time of 8:40

Mother of Nicolene and Thys, she taught at Hermanus High School for ten years and now works with her husband Andre in his consulting business.

Carina      

Seriously though, Carina has been a great asset to the club.    Her organising ability as well as knowledge of ASA requirements, with regard to road races in particular, make her indispensable to her fellow committee members.

 

The new 1000km & 500km Challenge

Rickus Swanepoel has suggested and kindly agreed to sponsor this event, one in which we can all participate no matter what distances we run or walk.  Basically it means recording your time trial details, any races and designated Club training runs that you take part in.  Time trial and races will also aid the Committee in deciding on some of the other prize categories, whilst the designated Club training runs contribute to the overall distance.  The designated Club training runs at the moment are :

Times change with the seasons, so check with Les or Hugh before pitching up.

Masters athletic meeting

Leo Benning is arranging an athletics meeting on 18th March at Hermanus High school.  With sprints, field events and a 5km event, it is an exciting programme which we encourage you all to participate.  For further information, will be given at the time trials.

Stanford Time trials

If you have been reading the Hermanus Times, you will notice that Stanford time trials are under way.  The driving initiative has been Nadia Nel, and we again encourage you to go along and enjoy their route (which is very scenic), and their celebrations at the Magic Moments Café afterwards.  It’s at 6pm on Tuesdays, but contact Nadia(0836541963) if you wish to confirm.   This time trial is also part of the 1000km & 500km Challenge.

Whalers Committee