January 22nd 2006 Maslin Beach Olympics

Hi Fellow YNAI\'rs

Well, as you all know, Casey & I didn\'t make it to Maslins this year due to a family emergency.

I have received several email reports about the day. I think this report pretty much sums it up the best from someone wishing to remain anonymous:

Upon arrival to Maslins Beach, we started walking down the path, to a very strong northerly gale but it was forcasted as well as a 42c degree day (110f). When we got down to see the beach we could see them setting up the marque and fenced off area of the beach ready fro the games but they looked like they were struggling to get everything up with the night winds.

We got down to the beach and could see that people had started to arrive at get their sun tents up, as well as their esky\'s (Chili Bins) ready for a long day. We arrived at about 9.30am but it wasn\'t scheduled to start until 11.00am but there was easily about a 100 people there already stretched out along the beach.

We found a spot close to the marque, but far enough away where we can get away from the event if needed. Once settled in to our spot, and all SPF 30+\'d up we decided to go for a walk to see if we could see anybody we knew, bumped into a few people we knew and had the usual chit chat. Asked each other what events we were going to enter etc... :grin:

By about 11.00am the beach was getting very busy, at least a couple of hundred people, not as many as last year but I think the forcast of hot northerly winds and a hight of 42c (110f) was keeping the crowds away, plus Adelaide had 5 days in a row of very high 40c\'s with it only getting down to 35c on the Saturday night, I know I for one did not get any sleep Saturday night before the games because of the heat.

But saying the above, having a couple of hundred people turn up on a day with that weather was awesome to see, there was a mix of people, young families, middle aged families, young (male & female), and all nationalities.

All in all it was an awesome day with all the events well patronised and everyone looked like they were having an awesome time. Even after the events people stayed behind and enjoyed the beach, as later in the after noon a southerly cool breeze came through and cooled the day down. The events finished at about 4.30pm, but we didn\'t end up leaving until about 7.30pm, doesn\'t get dark at Maslins until about 8.30pmish. People were playing Beach Cricket, and throwing around the Frisbee.

Sorry but I didn\'t take any pictures because of the new rules about taking pictures of non family members imposed on by the local council.

Well, from that report I think the day was a huge success and everyone had a good time..

If anyone was there and wants to add to the above report, feel free to do so.

Rob