President's Message

June brought with it the passing of two South-Ender’s Ray Minkel and Fr. Dullea. Many of our club activities were cancelled, or re-scheduled as we took the time to attend their respective services to honor the time they spent among us. Ray Minkel, a Past-President of the South End touched many lives through his service to the club. He was always one of the first people to greet new members, shake their hand and make them feel at home. If you look closely, Ray is in many pictures around the club and he is always smiling and that is how I will always remember him. Peter Beck has written a nice eulogy of Ray, which we have included in this newsletter. I am sure everyone’s best wishes go out to the families of these two fine men, who brought full lives to share with us as members of the South-End Rowing Club.

Pictures
One of the pleasures of being President is to hang out on a weekend and watch the number of activities that go on at the club. While most of them are not prosecutable in all 50 states, they show that we are a diverse and active group. The club is well represented in Master’s Handball Championships, Rowing Regatta’s, Running events like the Dipsea and in open water swims from one mile Pacific Master’s events, to the English Channel. So, I feel it is important that when the new construction is completed, we begin to celebrate the diversity of our sporting experience we have at The South End Rowing Club. I would like to see all of our club walls become filled with photos from member’s lives. I want the effect to be that shortly after any guest walks into the club and deposits their $6.50 Day Use Fee, they get the immediate impression that there is a vital community in place at our club. I believe the basic format should be that if you have been a South Ender for a year, you are eligible to put ONE picture up of your choosing in the club. All you would have to do is present it to our Facility Manager and Canadian Master’s Handball Champ, Wayne Black, and he will take care of it from there. The one exception would be our new Day Room and CookShack. I have asked Pat Cunneen and Bob Roper to form a committee to determine which pictures to hang on the walls in these rooms when the construction is completed.

Day Use Fee
Wayne Black reports that we have doubled the amount of money that is being deposited in the box at the front of the club for Day Use Fees. Personally, I think this is because club members are taking the initiative in making sure the guest fees are paid. I want to thank everyone for helping insure the club’s future in this manner.

Doglike Behavior
I have had several phone calls about dogs in the club. I think it is important that the entire membership respects our club by-laws, which seemingly prevent dogs being in the clubhouse. However, we need to examine the intent of this by-law as we observe its application. Apparently when this particular by-law was inserted, it failed to include the complete text of the intended restriction. What I believe was intended was that “. No doglike behavior” be allowed in the club.” I agree! I particularly want us to restrict anyone from snapping, or barking at other club members, or allowing strangers to rub your belly while you lie in the sun. The last, sadly, must be a particular restriction for our female club members. Though even here I believe there should be exceptions and it should be allowed if the female member had been given flowers, taken on a date and kissed repeatedly before coming down to lie in the sun. From now on, if any person exhibits doglike behavior, they will be asked to leave the club and take their dog with them.

4th of July
At our last Board meeting we passed a motion that cancelled our normal 4th of July party. This was due to our construction project, where it is anticipated the concrete pouring for the foundation will just have been completed. Our clubhouse is not in shape to handle people cooking on grills, a band playing, or the presence of a large number of “guests”. What I am planning is that we will arrange to have some refreshments available in the late afternoon. I encourage club members to come to the club in time to watch the fireworks, perhaps swim in the Cove while the sky lights up over your head. Immediate family members are welcome, guests when accompanied by a club member, will still be subject to the same Day Use Fee. After the fireworks are over, we are going to encourage people to begin heading home, after all there’s chores to do tomorrow back at the ranch.

Easter Seals
A few months ago one of our members Mark Welte, called me with an idea that I felt showed a lot of creativity and promise. He wanted South Enders to participate in the Easter Seals annual Walk With Me event on July 1st, although from a slightly different perspective. What he wanted was a group of South Enders to go out and get some pledges and then swim, or row, up to PacBell Park and come out of the water into the event, as a sort of aquatic version of their fundraiser. He is presenting us with an opportunity to use something, a significant portion of our club like to do anyway, and raise money for programs for people with disabilities in our own community. I would like to see as many South Enders as possible participate in this event. If you don’t swim, you could donate a small amount to a swimmer, or rower who would participate in the club’s name in this worthwhile cause. If you would like more information they have a website www.walkwithme.org, select the San Francisco event for more details. Sign-up sheets are available on the Bulletin Board at the front of the club. I plan on participating in this event and invite people to join me. At the moment we are planning to jump near the Bay Bridge and swim around into McCovey Cove where we will be assisted into the stadium. I am accepting and asking for pledge donations, so please consider supporting either myself, or someone else to raise money for this worthwhile cause.

PathStar
On July 10th the club will host Dr. Nancy Iverson’s PathStar project again this year. She will have several of her Native American Indian swimmers here at the club, who will again swim from Alcatraz. It has taken me personally a long time to understand just what in the heck this was all about. I mean Indians? In the bay? From the Midwest? Couldn’t they just be happy playing LaCrosse? Actually there is more to it than meets the eye and this is another very worthwhile cause that Nancy has put a lot of effort into and we should be proud to support. Basically to cut to the chase, Nancy’s organization works to improve a community’s life and health by helping them develop their own hero’s. The swimmers she brings to the club, become positive role models back home, which improve not only other peoples lives they come in contact with, but their own too.

Alcatraz Invitational
This year the Alcatraz Invitational is filling rapidly. We have over 350 entries and we are 4 months away from the event scheduled for October 2nd. Pacific Union Real Estate and Mack’s Earplugs will be sponsors of the event and we are also talking with another company about a multi-year commitment. Lynne Cox will again be our Master of Ceremonies and I am sure she will help make this an exciting year for the club’s major fundraiser.

Campaign Pledge
In the rest of the newsletter you will read about alleged exploits of other club members. For the moment my time has run out, but before I go just want to remind you of my campaign pledge: The beatings will continue until the mood improves around here!

Building Update
Building Commissioner Report
May 26, 2004
Raymond Zahnd, Building Commissioner
The Infrastructure has gone through some exciting changes in the past few weeks. The long awaited Painting of the front and Hyde Street sides of the building is complete with the exception of the lettering and the oars on the front face. The old oars were dry rotted and will replaced by volunteers as well as the large S and E. The front of the building will have a new sign, which will be the round logo with the same oars and S-E, which will cover the round window next to the entry. The round window is also dry rotted. The red trim color was matched to the red swim shirt that is in the glass case next to the TV in the day room. It was the oldest sample of the club’s “official red” I could find. The Day Room/ Cook shack Construction Project is under way. We sailed through the demolition and excavation. Most of the forming for the foundation and deck has been completed. The delivery date for the steel reinforcing bars has been delayed, because they are a special order. However, the crew has other work to keep the project moving, such as framing for the elevator. I will be posting a weekly work schedule on the wall next to the new warm up/ weight lifting area.

Treasurers Report
Treasurer’s Report As of April 30, 2004, the financial position of the Club is on track with prior year, and within expectations of the Board. Total recorded revenue through April 2004, $206,000, is 10% higher than last year, before writing off member resignations for 2004. We expect to write off approximately $20,000 of recorded revenue from member resignations, which is generally what our historical experience has been with member resignations.
A number of board members are personally calling on these tardy members in an effort to retain those who may have just forgotten to send in their checks. We have collected over 68% of projected revenue for the year; the balance of projected revenue will come in as the result of guest fees, contributions, and various events. I am happy to note that guest fees have increased 30% so far this year, primarily as a result of handball members ensuring that guests pay the fee when they use the club. All of us should follow the example of the handball players’ efforts in this regard.

Cash on hand includes the following:
B. of A. -General Account $129,223.91
Contributions to the Building Fund
(on deposit with Recreation and Parks) $238,802.08
Other Building Fund Cash $368,025.99
Total at April 30, 2004 $736,051.98

Rowing on the Bay   by Tom McInerney
In Brief: Recreational Rowing – A politically correct term. Regatta – For pain that you can’t find at work. Boat Repair – For Pain you can’t find anywhere. God bless em. Disappearing South End Boats – a combo of no space and lot of it at the Dolphin Club, hence two boats in storage, nice. Less Brief: We’re already looking forward to our yearly assault on Lake Tahoe for the June Regatta. Given that we had some 18 South Enders last year we anticipate a healthy turn out again this year. A highly recommended venue to attend for all South Enders and rowers too. In looking back we knocked off the Open Water Regatta in April which proved to be on par as in years past. Conditions held up and the long course held its old route going out past the Golden Gate Bridge ½ mile, flip turn at said buoy, back to Angel Island zig at the Green Buoy, zag at Cone Rock and straight home some 9 miles all rowed by: Peter Sahmel, Nancy Rose, Tom McInerney, Diane Davis, Kathryn Furano, Tom Abbott and Katy Abbott (her first regatta). Petaluma Regatta in early May saw some more South Enders heading north for their yearly lashing of BBQ duck sausage and very welcoming hosts. The 5km race provided a long row against the tide. The alarm bell for beer was sounding loud around the 4km mark. We managed to struggle a few into us later and the better the company was for it. Those who enjoyed the North Bay River Regatta include the fearless Norm Petersen, a blast from the past Rory Moore and more often than not Tom McInerney and Diane Davis. Out of Time: Maas Boat Lessons are being offered through the summer. You need to have some experience in the wooden boats. Check the Boat Board for details. South End vs Dolphin Club Triathlon is Sunday October 10th, 2004 Please mark your calendar, the day has been changed from the original swimming calendar. Swim – Row – Run….

On the Run…. by Keith Nowell
First an important note—the date of the SERC v. DC interclub triathlon has been rescheduled to October 10th. The year is off to a great start with club members putting in good performances in the running scene. Locally, several Southenders ran the Home Depot Half Marathon in early February as a warm up to the season. Mike Slattery and George Rehmet competed in the Waterfront 10-miler at the end of March and John Gregson running the 7-mile Golden Gate Promenade run in mid April. George and Mike both finished in the top 10 at the Waterfront 10, with George getting the top SE spot finishing 4th ! Sunny Blende and Russ Kiernan continue to be active and doing well in the north bay running arena. Marathon madness has hit the South End with Southenders running early season marathons. Mike and Anna Slattery ran the hilly Catalina Marathon this March. Mike just missed breaking the 4-hour barrier on the tough course. Anna met with success running 3:57, good enough for placing 3rd in her division! Also in March, Gary Aguiar ran the Napa Valley Marathon. Gary ran a respectable 4:43 on the warm Spring day. Dominic Spinetta ran the Paris Marathon in April. Dom finished in the top 27,700 completing the course in 5 hours! Rumor has it that Dom was the first hippie to finish. I consider Paris to have one of the most grueling of the marathon courses as I would have a tough time passing the outside cafes and crossing the bridges without stopping. The end of April brought Big Sur. The Big Sur marathon is perhaps the most scenic of the marathons; unfortunately, it is a very difficult course having long climbs and testy weather. Gary Aguiar and Kathy Bailey tackled the course, both cracking the 5-hour barrier. Gary finished in 4:54 and Kathy in 4:56. Kathy’s performance was good enough for placing 8th in her division. Big Sur was Gary’s 18th marathon. The South End Boitano Cup run, the DSE Practise Dipsea, comes up on June 6th. The quickest Southender, based on the current Dipsea handicaps, gets their name and time inscribed for posterity on the Boitano Cup. Other runs to place on your schedule include the Coastal Trail Challenge on August 29 and the interclub (triathlon) run to Fort Point (competing against the Dolphins) on October 10. See you on the trail!

June 2004

Past President
Dominic Spinetta

Vice President
Kristine Buckley

Recording Secretary
Barrie Grenell

Treasurer
Joe Boone

Directors at Large
Mike Berline
Tom McInery
Kevin O'Keefe
Jim Scull

Commissioners
Boathouse Captain
Tom Abbott

Rowing Commissioner
Dan Marshall

Swimming
Rhys Ludlow

Handball
Mike Hickey

Running
Keith Nowell

Building
Ray Zahnd

Gymnasium
Diane Davis

Entertainment
Robin Dintiman

Membership
Trudy Dilorenzo

New Members Welcome!
June 2004
F. Joseph Butler
Marty Dalton
Mark Daniels
John Donohoe
Luke Gilligan
Jerry R. Lowden
Warren Murray
Anna Sojovner
Ralph Wenzel

May 2004
Mickey Clements
Jeany Duncan
Richard Gerrich
Jonathan Maier
Anthony Martorana
Patrick Moore
Lauri Medeiros
Ted Rademaker
Lorrie Beth Slonsky
Lutz Wenzel
Adam Wood
Chris Gage
David Dunlany

South Enders Travel to the Canadian National Handball Tournament May 18th-23rd
Winnipeg, Canada
South End Members
Tom McGrath,
Joe Tierney, &
Wayne Black
Outcome of the Tournament:
Joe Tierney WINS the Single “B” Division, Tom McGrath and Joe Tierney WIN the “B” Doubles, Wayne Black and Roberto Chavez WIN the 55+ Masters Doubles, Tom McGrath is defeated in the Semi-Finals to the Winner of the Masters 40+. Handball Director: Merv and Colleen Deckert were terrific hosts. He showed the South Enders a great time and Merv is a first class player himself. Nice going guys, the Nationals are really tough going.

More Handball News:
The 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo Handball Tournament was once again a roaring success. On the weekend of May 1st and 2nd, 41 doubles teams including 4 youth teams, established veterans and some up and coming stars provided the packed gallery of fans two days of drama, excitement, classic handball, and sportsmanship. Players from neiboring bay area clubs as well as teams from Sparks, Truckee and Reno NV, and as far away as Albuquerque NM participated!! The main event was the "A" Division. Teams from Fresno, Santa Rosa, San Mateo Elks, Concord and our own South End club provided the fans a festive feast of exhilirating handball. South Enders Tom Mc Grath and Gary Steadman seeded #1 and #2 were surprisenly knocked out in the early round. The Santa Rosa pairing of wiley veteran Mark Horell and young Shane Goyt came thru the pack playing with lots of flair and gusto to create an upset by defeating the strong Fresno team Nacho Delgado and Danny Solario in a thrilling final. Horrel and Goyt an up and coming star, won the fans hearts and support as evidenced by thunderous applause that echoed throughout the gallery in all their matches. Congratulations. The Masters Division final was a classic. South Ender's Bob Bradford and Randy Badler went down in a thrilling final to the Fresno team of Mike Flores and Rick Guzman. Better luck next time guys !!. The "B" Division was a victory for Truckee's Tom Echenique and John Kennelly over Albuquerque's Keith Hinds and Ron Doose. The "C" Division was a victory for the talented youngsters from Chico, Jeffrey Aguilar and Nathan King over game South Ender's Ned Corrigan and John Calder. This tournament was great because of efforts by several people. First and foremost, John Stadlberger and his team for providing excellant food faire and lots of it !! for the entire weekend even though the cook shack was in the demolition process. John's humor and dedication to serving others was a joy to behold. Always as ever, Mike Alvarez was simply Mike Alvarez Special mention to coach Larry Aguliar for bringing three teams to the tournament and for his ongoing efforts in coaching handball to youth. Also special thanks to the multitude of players, wives, friends and family from Fresno who always make Cinco de Mayo at the South End a unique occasion. Special thanks to Bob Roper and team for providing the sale of South End merchandise to guests and visitors. I would also like to thank the South End Handball Players committee for their efforts and contributions in making a truely great weekend of handball and fun.
Remember to hit the bottom boards,
Sincerely, Mike Hickey

The South End Loses a True Hero    by Peter Beck
Upon the death of our beloved, former President Ray Minkle, the ultra-conservative faction of the club has suffered a severe 33% loss. It is therefore fitting that we take a moment and reflect on a truly meaningful life and give thanks for the opportunity to have met a man of Ray’s stature.

If you look up the meaning of the word “hero” in the dictionary, you will find many definitions. Each of them applied to Ray. Let’s look at the first one: “ A man who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits”. Ray earned the Silver Star Medal in Korea for bravery and valor in combat against the enemy. This medal is never won easily and, during the Korean War, was awarded rarely. Reading the citation that accompanied the medal, Ray continuously exposed himself to enemy fire while he fought to provide safety for the members of his unit. He gallantly disregarded his own safety and single handedly subdued the enemy allowing his unit to advance and obtain their objective. Clearly, Ray was endowed with great courage and strength.

The second definition states that a hero is someone noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially someone who has risked or sacrificed his life. Ray’s 36 years of service to his beloved city as a Police Officer attests to his nobility of purpose. Not only did Ray survive duty in this city, he rose to the rank of Captain, finishing his career as the Night Shift Commander at Central Station overseeing all of North Beach and the district that encompasses the South End Rowing Club. Ray never saw his duties as risking his life, but he did so every day of his service as a Police Officer. His funeral on Thursday gave proof to how highly Ray was regarded by his peers. Rows of Police Officers from all ranks and departments filled the church. A 20 plus Honor Guard of Motorcycle Police Officers escorted Ray to his final resting place in Holy Cross Cemetery. This was truly a man of noble purpose who willingly sacrificed his life, on a daily basis, for his fellow man.

A third definition of the word hero states that a hero is someone noted for special achievement in a particular field. Ray certainly met this criteria when he served us once again as the President of the South End Rowing Club. Anyone who can successfully discharge that position and still maintain his sanity and high regard from his fellow Southenders has to be a hero!

Ray was many things to many people, a devoted father and husband, a war hero, an exemplary police officer and an outstanding club president. He was also a humble man who made coffee every morning and dearly loved this club. We will all miss him. Thank God we were able to know him and enjoy his humor, his friendship and his loyalty to one and all.

Father Charles W. Dullea, SJ
It is with great sadness that I report yet the death of another great Southender. Father Charles Dullea, SJ, a regular bay swimmer until infirmity greatly limited the times he could swim in his beloved bay, died on June 8th, 2004 at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California.

Father Dullea almost joined the South End at birth. His father, the Chief of the San Francisco Police Department was a great Southender and regularly played handball every noon on the old handball courts of the club. There are several pictures of Chief Dullea playing handball throughout the club.

Father Dullea graduated from St. Ignatius at the age of 17 and while he had earned a full four-year scholarship to USF, he elected to become a priest and left San Francisco for the seminary. This year, Father Dullea celebrated 70 years as a priest.

During Father Dullea’s career, he influenced the lives of thousands of people. For example, his presence in the Men’s Locker Room alone had a great effect on the language being used, at least as long as he was in the locker room. Both Bob Roper and Peter Beck can attest to that!

Father Dullea was an outstanding swimmer. While still in St. Ignatius, he was recruited by the Olympic Club and swam competitively on their team. He swam many Alcatraz and Golden Gate Swims, usually with his swimming partner, the late Tom Rice, known as The Masked Marvel in professional wrestling and an All-American Football player from USF. Even in the seminary, he once rescued two seminarians from the raging surf off Santa Cruz.

Father Dullea had a wonderful career. He served as a college professor, the Principal of Bellarmine College Preparatory School in San Jose and the President, Chancellor and Chancellor Emeritus of USF.

During his long tenure at USF, he propelled USF from a local “street-car” school to an internationally recognized university with a diverse, strongly Jesuit educational foundation. The size and scope of today’s USF are the result of Father Dullea’s hard and dedicated work. Through all this activity, he always saved time to swim in the bay. He loved a good joke, enjoyed the comradeship of his fellow Southenders and was always active in club activities.

He even managed two tours of duty at The Vatican but always returned to his beloved San Francisco and the South End. I can remember once asking him to help me get tickets to Midnight Mass at Christmas time in Rome. No small order, even if I were catholic. With Father Dullea’s help, I sat about four rows behind the College of Cardinals and could almost touch the Pope as he walked down to the altar to say Mass. I turned to my wife and said, “I feel guilty, these seats are so good, a catholic should be sitting in them!” In his later years, The Sunrisers fixed a rope to the pier so that Father Dullea could pull himself into and out of the water. He was always a ray of sunshine at the club and those who knew him should feel privileged to have known such a great and humble man who spent his life in the service of his God and his fellow man.

I will miss him but I am glad that our paths crossed at the wonderful South End Rowing Club. USF and the SERC are better because of his time on earth.
Peter Beck

South End Boitano Cup   by Patrick Cuneen
Many ask, “What the heck is the South End Boitano Cup?” First off, it is for the South End Champion in the Annual Dolphin/SERC practice Dipsea Foot Race. The official race is the second oldest footrace in the nation. Only the Boston Marathon is older. The run is a 6.8 mile, handicapped, tough, fun, beautiful course that starts in Mill Valley and ends in Stinson Beach. The official race draws great masses of folks and has a limited field. Because of the difficulty of entering, limitations, crowded trail conditions, starting positions etc., we opt for the more manageable DSE practice race. Anyone may just show up, pay the entry fee and run. Since 1991, the SE uses the current official race handicaps, which we use to adjust our winner at the finish. Ion this era , thhe Dolphin/SERC has no connection with the clubs. That is another story for a later newsletter. Now, why is the name Boitano used on our trophy cup? Back in the early “70’s, long distance running was just emerging: Frank Shorter had won the Marathon gold in the ’72 Olympics, society was becoming more health conscious and John Boitant, 1969 SERC President, former WWII Airborne, began the running arm of the SERC. John and his family were so prominent in running that the club conferred honorary membership for his wife and children, Mike and Maryetta ( aka: Sissy). They most always wore S.E.R.C. shirts. A few family achievements: By August of ’73 the family had over 90 awards in various categories( age groups, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, etc).Here are a few of the “Biggies”: 1971&’72 – Mike was the youngest (9yrs) to ever win the Dipsea and the first to Win back to back since 1905 or ’06. 1973 Sissy was the youngest female Dipsea runner ( 10yrs) and had the fastest woman’s time ever. She also won the event. The family also won numerous Klan Dipsea Awards. 1974-76 Sissy won the female division of SF’s Bay to Breakers before becoming a teenager. In the first ever National Women’s Marathon in San Mateo, Sissy ( age 10) rant the 26.2 mile reace in 3hr 01 minute 15 sec! Wow! She was 15 minutes of the Woman’s World record . She was even flown to NYC to be on the TV program “What’s My Line” because of her running prowess. I don’t have enough space to mention all the family’s achievements, but you get the idea why we named it the Boitano Cup. Rudy Stadlberger, SERC Pres. 1970 and John Boitano's business partner, was equally instrumental in creating our running commissioner. As you know Rudy is in the CA handball Hall of Fame. He claims one of the main reasons for his success was his running. At the end of difficult matches and his opponets legs were giving out his were not. June

Ironman New Zealand by Ben Grieb
On the first Saturday in March for the last several years and into the future 1200 or so people gather at Lake Taupo for the 0700 Am start of Ironman New Zealand. The lake is located in the middle of the North Island and is famous for trout fishing. This place is spectacular with major mountains (Tongario or for The Lord of the Ring’s aficionados “The Mountain of Doom”) at the south end of the lake. The lake is similar to Lake Tahoe in that is a blown out caldera and dammed by lava flows, however, thankfully for the biking and running challenge, not as steep as it could be. The town of 5000 is located near the outflow of the lake. Weather for Ironman New Zealand is always iffy, but, good for Californians who have to train through the winter. It can be cool and rainy on race day. Basically, New Zealand can be cool and rainy at any time. This summer (our winter) they had had several cyclones which are lower temperature hurricanes with associated wind and rain. The Kiwi’s had so much rain that they changed the swim course because they could not block the lake out flow. They seemed to be worried about the swimmers going over Huka Falls about 5 miles down stream. Race day this year was fairly typical with dawn cool and cloudy gradually giving way clearing and 75 degrees by the afternoon. If you were out on the course after the sun went down it got chilly. The bike and run courses are advertised as “Flat”. The Kiwis’ definition of “Flat” is best understood if you know their definition of “Hilly”. The Mountains of the Southern Alps on the South Island are what they call “hilly”. The run course is better described as rolling with one long steady uphill and several short steep rollers. These rollers are compounded by the 112 miles of biking which features two significant little gotchas. First, the flat part of the bike course includes a 6.5 mile climb up at the finish no big deal on the first loop but a killer on the second loop. Second, the Southwesterlies blow in the afternoon so the slow bikers get to have a solid 20 miles per hour head wind on the final 29 miles. After each race leg you a rewarded with a women’s hair band of different colors. These, as you can imagine, are much sought after and very valuable. The race becomes broken into a series of lusting after a 50 cent piece of red (first bike loop turn around), purple (second bike loop turn around), white (first run loop turn around) and yellow (final run loop) colored elastic. At the end of the race they wanted to take them away. You can probably guess my answer. My goal was to finish the race and have a beer prior to sundown. I did not make it by sundown but I did finish. I really enjoyed the process of the race. The swim was great. Wide enough at the start so you did not get beat up in typical triathlon fashion. I probably did not do enough biking in training but all in all was satisfied. My faster running days are long gone and my goal was to walk fast if required. It was. After the race we went down to the South Island for a week of touring. That is not enough time if you want to do it right but gives you an idea of what to come back for. To put New Zealand in its simplest terms you can say: Like nothing in this world, yet similar to many places but more concentrated. In a matter of hours you can go to something like Hawaii to Wyoming to Scotland. The Kiwis’ are great people who speak a language similar to ours. The country is not as cheap as it used to be, but, not bad. Well worth the trip and we are plan on returning soon. South End information: 1. For more tour guide information speak with John Taylor he has done a three week bike trip in New Zealand. 2. For fast triathlon tips and encouragement speak with Mike Larmie 3. If you want more information about New Zealand or Ironman New Zealand you can reach me at 415-334-0222 or Email bgrieb@sbcglobal.net. You can recognize me at the club; I am the one with the four different color hair bands around my wrist and a beer in the other hand.

Great smile!

Friends we know.

Southend handball

Working hard...

Pier 39!

T he South Ender is our quarterly newsletter. The opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the SERC, its members or board of directors. Articles, suggestions, inquiries and photos may be sent electronically to Pauline Yeckley at web@south-end.org or placed in the black plastic mailbox marked "newsletter" near the entrance of the club.

Previous Newsletters

Winter 2003

Fall 2002

Summer 2001 (2.2MB)