Join us in congratulating Medical Practice Manager Sandra Rogers on ranking nine out of 95 competitors during the 800m freestyle event at the recent FINA World Masters Swimming competition held in Montreal, Canada.

Determined to do something exciting during her 50^th year, Sandra took to the pool 18 months ago to prepare for the competition, swimming up to six times per week.

“I trained with both my Masters team, the Seaside Pirates, and with the Macquarie Masters group here on campus,” said Sandra. “Special thanks must go to Macquarie coach Oleg Bytchenkov.”

Competing in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly events, Sandra says the whole experience, while nerve-racking, was the one of the most worthwhile and gratifying times of her life.

“I swam well in all my races but particularly in the 800m freestyle, so all the hard work paid off when I received my medal for that event,” said Sandra. “I had to take off nearly 16 seconds from my previous best time to get that medal and compete against 95 other women, so I am very happy with ninth out of 95!”

Riding on the wave of her recent success, Sandra is already planning her next race.

“I’m already thinking about what’s next and at this stage it is the National Championships in Hobart next April, then the Waikiki Rough Water Challenge in September, which is a 3.7km swim. Then I’m off to Mexico for the World Masters in 2017,” said Sandra.

Find out more about adult swim classes on campus.