Well it was an active & eventful weekend!

Saturday saw the running of the inaugural Budgie 100 down at Iceberg’s Pool. It all started a few months ago…

A whole gang of us were around in Mikey’s place having a poker night, we were hammered and Goz turned to me and challenged me to a swimming race, specifically a 100m Free. I agreed and thought no more of it, partially because I just assumed it was drunk talk and partially because I really didn’t want to race as that would mean I’d have to do some swim training and I couldn’t be arsed.

All was well for a month or two until Graeme, who had overheard the challenge, resurrected it, christened it the Budgie 100 and started organising. The race was on, and there was only one rule: you had to wear budgie smugglers, or Speedos to you non-Aussies. We had about six weeks to get organised, which is why I started doing some lunch-time swim squads a few weeks ago.

Anyway, Saturday comes around, it’s cold and raining and the pool is outdoors and not heated. Not very appealing, but there’s no going back now. Graeme had hired two lanes at Icebergs, organised a trophy and got some sponsorship prizes! I wandered down to the pool with my support crew (Jacqui, Denise, Mark & Alannah), arriving just as the first heat got going. Bit of a panic as I thought I’d have 20 minutes to get organised. A quick stretch and it was my turn, with the fastest time so far being a 1:07. I dived in, my goggles came off and I couldn’t really see where I was going, as I was trying to keep my contacts from falling out. Not an auspicious start, but I finished in 1:06 to be fastest qualifier for the final.

I borrowed Graeme’s goggles for the final as I was taking no chances. Thankfully this time they stayed on and it made a huge difference. Managed a 1:03 in the final to win the inaugural Budgie 100 and walk away with $50 in prize money, a trophy which will have my name engraved on it, and a Nike laptop bag! Not bad at all. Goz finished in second and John came third.

The ladies followed up with a 50m Breastroke which was won by Helen, a fact that disturbed the Aussies no end, as it meant that “northern monkeys” had won both races. The men’s race finished Ireland, South Africa, South Africa with Jason as best Aussie in 4th ;-)

So, an excellent day despite the weather. The first year was a resounding success and it looks like I’ll have to phone in a result from Canada next November! Better start training.

PS: Great organising effort Reidy!

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