Bay Harbour: December 05, 2024

8 <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Thursday <strong>December</strong> 5 <strong>2024</strong> Thursday 5 th <strong>December</strong> 14 local convenient locations • Barrington • City Market • Edgeware • Fendalton • Geraldine • Leeston • Lyttelton • Mandeville • Merivale • Methven • Oxford • Parklands • Prebbleton • Sumner Prices apply Thursday 5th <strong>December</strong> <strong>2024</strong> only. Promotion pricing excludes UberEats or any other third-party provider. OWNED & OPERATED BY LOCALS

Thursday <strong>December</strong> 5 <strong>2024</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz NEWS 9 Noel still swims daily at 86 after half a century of surf lifesaving HAPPY PLACE: Noel Saxton spends most mornings in the pool, after decades of competitive swimming and surf lifesaving at Taylors Mistake. PHOTOS: NEWSLINE, AMELIE CLARK SURF/FACEBOOK NOEL SAXTON swims to keep fit, stay social and break records. The 86-year-old, who spent several decades as surf lifesaver at Taylors Mistake, trains most mornings, swimming lengths with a squad of up to nine others at Jellie Park. With over 50 years with Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, Noel says he’s been swimming for most of his life and is continuously setting new goals. “Untypically for my generation I had regular pool training throughout childhood, albeit in the unheated 50-yard New Plymouth seawater baths which were filled and emptied at each tide,” Noel said. “I’ve always had a goal of doing well at Masters World Athletics Champs. I try to make new records and find myself constantly setting new goals – I thoroughly enjoy it.” Noel’s surf lifesaving started with Old Boys at Oakura, New Plymouth, followed by a time with Island <strong>Bay</strong> in Wellington. He then spent several decades at Taylors Mistake. His days are now predominantly spent training at Jellie Park, where he passes the early hours of the morning in the water. “By the time I’ve walked to the pool, spent a few hours swimming laps, had a coffee with my swimming mates and walked home, half the day is gone,” Noel said. “I swim because I love it – I love the challenge of competitions, and it’s a great way to keep fit.” Noel’s past awards range from surf lifesaving to swim competitions, including New Zealand records at Fina World Swim Masters in Australia in 2008 and Italy in 2012 in freestyle and individual medley. He also was second, fourth and fifth in the 3km open water swims at the world masters in Christchurch (2002), Perth (2008) and Italy (2012). He received the Jasi Masters Swim Club swimmer of the year in 2000, 2007 and 2008, and the club’s Paul McStay Trophy in 2023. Noel’s go-to swimming spot for an outdoor dip is his old stomping ground at Taylors Mistake, or the Jellie Park outdoor pools over the summer period. “The outdoor facilities are fantastic, I love the opportunity to carry out my training in the open air – whatever the weather,” he said. BAYLEYS SUMNER is proud to be supporting WOMEN’S REFUGE this Christmas Ahead of this year’s festive season <strong>Bay</strong>leys Sumner is supporting the three Women’s Refuge shelters across Canterbury. Visit our <strong>Bay</strong>leys Sumner office and leave gifts of any new and unwrapped toys, clothing, books or personal care items under our Christmas tree. So, join us in the gift of giving this Christmas, from now through to Thursday 19 <strong>December</strong>. <strong>Bay</strong>leys Sumner | 03 595 2844 | sumner@bayleys.co.nz 6A Wakefield Avenue, Sumner WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008