Hi Everyone!

This blog is a little later in the month due to all the travel I have been doing so far! It's been a hectic month already and will only get busier as the weeks go on, but it always makes life a little more interesting when you're busy, I think!

This month started with some sunshine on the gorgeous Gold Coast where I competed for my university, Melbourne Uni at the Australian Uni Games from 29th September-1st October. I got a little bit of a tan and it was fantastic to get away from the rainy and cold weather we had been having in Melbourne. Bring on summer, I say! The meet went well and served as a great warm-up meet for the World Cup series, for which I will be leaving for the first leg in Durban this coming Tuesday 13th Oct.

Since the Uni Games, we have also had the Telstra Swimmer of the Year Awards, held at Parliament House in Canberra. I was nominated for a few awards, including the Swimmer of the Year, and came away with the Australian Unity Club Leadership Award, and an award for being part of the International All Stars Team. Thank you, Popey (my coach) for nominating me for the Leadership award - I was so shocked to have won and I wasn't prepared for the acceptance speech so made a few mistakes, but I guess I have to laugh and learn for next time... ie. to prepare just in case!

It was a great night in Canberra and everyone looked gorgeous in their black-tie evening wear. Take a look at some of the pics from the night in my photos section of this website.

Jessicah Schipper came away with all three major prizes for her brilliant swims in the 100m and 200m butterfly. If you would like to peruse the full list of award winners please see the Swimming Australia website here.

Next week I leave for the first leg of the World Cup series, which starts in Durban on 16-17th October. I'm really looking forward to racing again and I'll be competing in the 50 and 100m butterfly and freestyle, and will also be trying my hand at the 50m backstroke, for a bit of fun!

This month at SFO we have released the first of our great new Summer range. We have a pretty new sports bikini that is perfect for surfing, diving, swimming training, and of course just relaxing at the beach or pool. We also have some new onepieces, mens swimwear and racing swimwear.

Remember you will not be allowed to wear some types of racing suits as of January 1, 2010, due to FINA announcing their new rules for swimsuits. Swimming Victoria has also just announced that they will bring these rules into effect early, as of November 1, 2009. If you do not know the rules and wear a swimsuit that is not allowed, you will be disqualified from your race. Be 100% sure and see the memo here. All of our swimsuits abide by these new rules so you can be sure that you will not be disqualified from your race when wearing one of our suits.

If you have any questions about swimsuits, or any comments, be sure to post them and I will get back to you ASAP!

Otherwise, have a great October, train hard, be happy, stay healthy and love life!

Love Marieke xoxo