Hi Ian
Thanks so much for a really great swim, you have done a fabulous job running the event. Photos are superb – well done to the photographer.
See you at the pool
Liz

Ian,
Great swim, extremely well run. Thank you, look forward to doing it again next year.
Carmel Dickson (Roskill Masters)

Ian McDonald
RNHC 2009
Sir:
i) I must endorse the earlier comments from my fellow swimmers - a very nice atmosphere and very safely run but one still faces the running of the bulls or walrusses off the beach !
ii) and thanks so much for saving me a croissant ! despite coming in at the tail end - which leads on to
iii) I would like to see the age of contestants ( and their ailments - just kidding here ) cos at my age - well 60 is the new 40 - I tell my kids I am happy just to be able to be in the swim and finish with a flourish
But I do think a lot of people in this country perhaps take their sport a bit too seriously - i look the other way when i see guys setting their stop watches ( again from my "old age" perspective I mean)
I do get a real lift from the sea - it almost never fails me as a tonic - and I have swum the beaches almost daily until winter each year since 50 - but strictly at my own pace - and away in my own "zone"
I have lined up for the Masters Rangitoto swim for most of those years although March 2009 was hard yakka - so I had better do the Chelsea as a decent warm up eh
iv) Also was tickled to id my mug shot at the start all togged up & entering the water.
Many thanks
John Burke

Hi Ian
I would like to say thanks too for organising these great races. We're very lucky to have these swims happening right here in Devonport. Thank you again.
Noah Orr

Thanks for all your hard work Ian. Had a bloody cold pool swim session last nite - brrrrr.......
Regards
Niccy Fraser

Hi Guys,
Thanks so much for organising the swim yesterday, really enjoyed it and great to actually swim in the "Round the Head" after all those years of running the thing!
Regards,
Matthew Williamson, original "Round the Head" co-founder

Dear Ian,
Thanks very much for all the effort you and your friends put into organizing this swim. Was a great morning and a good way to start the summer and kickstart my sea swimming again.
Regards,
Penny Bognuda

Hi,
Congratulations on organizing such a good event.
Thanks I will be there again next year.
Cheers,
John Matthews

Ian,
Thanks for organising the swim. It was great. I was amazed how strong the tide was.
Regards,
Bronwyn McKinlay

Hi Ian,
Thank you to you and your team for organising such an enjoyable event yesterday.
I was very nervous at the start because I have never swam that far in the sea and everyone looked so professional, however once you said that anyone who is struggling or cant finish to simply raise their hand, relax and help would be there right away all my fears were gone and excitement took over.
That was real nice to hear and once out there every time I breathed I saw support if I needed it.
Talking to lots of people after they all said how much they enjoyed it and what a beautiful swim course and like me, will definitely be back next year.
Thanks again
Sandie Morice

Hi
Ian thanks so much for yesterday you did a great job it all went like clockwork.
Jenny Le Noel

Awesome event Ian – thank you very much to you and your team for a well run and very enjoyable event.
Thank you!
Michelle Farrier

Thanks Ian for staging this race – it is one of my favourite Auckland swims and great to see it back on the calendar.
And it is a smart time to run the swim just before the big Sovereign Harbour Crossing.
Just what I needed before tackling the bigger beast!
Hopefully we will see you same place next year!
Mark Checksfield

Thank you Ian, it was a chilling experience, however there was warmth from how the whole event was run so well done and I will look forward to next year.
Regards
Simon Osner

Nice work Ian! I don't do them often so was quite impressed. As one of the slower, less experienced participants I'd suggest that in some way the more novice swimmers might be recognised.
And the start is pandemonium and I (among others I'm sure) got my goggles knocked off. Maybe some way of pushing the faster pack to the front would avoid the mauling over the first 200 metres?. Hot drink at the finish?
Otherwise all good!
Cheers
Paul Cornish

Ian, thanks for organising a great race. Glad to see it back well done to you and your team.
Cheers
John Kennedy

Hi Ian,
Just a quick note to say thank you.
Today was my first sea swim - and the event was absolutely brilliant.
Thank you for bringing the RNHC back.
Cheers
Wayne Pick

HI Ian
Just wanted to say congrats on a great event this morning - it was run superbly and a great local event - thanks so much!!
Cheers
Marjo Thomas

Hi Ian, just wanted to say thanks for a really enjoyable swim this morning in the Round North Head Classic.
I have never swam in the sea before this morning other than to cool off, so I am pleased to say my first experience was a good one. It was well organized and the support crew were very encouraging. I am looking forward to seeing my results!
Thanks to you and your club for organizing it.
Regards
Sharon

Frank,
Beautiful shots – but where are the ones of me ?
Jane Goddard, Overworked Late Entries Chick