Louise Stevenson
Louise Scales (née Louise Stevenson, born 16 March) is an accomplished pool and open water swimmer from Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Open Water Swimming Career Highlights
- On 20 February 2010, she won the women's division at the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia in 5 hours 7 minutes 21 seconds at the age of 28.
- On 26 February 2011, she won the women's division at the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia in 4 hours 56 minutes 42 seconds.
- On 15 May 2011, she won the women's division at the 10 km South Head Roughwater Swim in Bondi Beach, Australia in 2 hours 35 minutes 57 seconds.
- She completed an unprecedented 38 km two-way crossing from the Sofitel Fiji on the mainland of Fiji to Beachcomber Island and back in 9 hours 45 minutes in August 2011. Her course is a two-way route used annually by one of the world's top 100 open water swims, Fiji Swims.
- In 2009, she competed in the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia: 2nd Mixed Relay team in 5 hours 8 minutes.
- In 2010, she won the Bridge to Beach Swim (1st Overall, Line Honours) in 2 hours 53 minutes 55 seconds.
- In 2010, she finished second in the women's division in the Coogee to Bondi Swim in 55 minutes 2 seconds.
- In 2010, she won the Beachcomber Island Swim in the women's division (2nd Overall) in 4 hours 10 minutes
- In 2010, she competed in Coolangatta Gold, finishing 11th Male/Mixed Team in 4 hours 51 minutes 10 seconds
Bio
I was first introduced to water at a very young age. With growing up on a farm, I was priviledged and lucky enough to have a pool in my backyard. After trying out a number of sports - gymnastics, athletics just to name a few. I found my love for the water. At age 10 I joined my first swimming squad. It was there where an eight year journey began. I started off swimming 2 times a week and this gradually increased to 10. Throughout the 8 years I swam in numerous pool events in both New Zealand and occasionally in Australia.
Unfortunately at the age of 18, I contracted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and it saw the end of my swimming career (temporarily). Upon moving to Syndey in 2007 I joined the local surf club - North Bondi. This introduced me to Ocean Swimming. I discovered that my passion for swimming was back. I jumped in and did the first ocean swim of the season and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I continued to swim the rest of the season on very little swimming. It was then that I decided it was time to give Ocean Swimming a really good go and so I jumped back in the pool at the beginning of Winter 2008 and I haven't looked back since.
During 2008 I joined the North Sydney Masters Swimming club and re-ignitied my passion for racing. It was then that I decided that I would participate in the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney.
The beginning of 2009 saw me participate in the Rottnest Channel Swim as part of a team and this is where my passion for long distance open water swimming began. It was a memorable experience and I thank the guys who took on as part of their team at the last minute. Following on from this swim there were a number of challenges to complete the swim solo.
After a successful campaign during the World Masters Games in 2009 I re-set my goals to focus on the open water season and it was then I confirmed my participation in the Rottnest Channel Swim as a solo swimmer.
2010 saw me take on the Rottnest Channel as a solo competitor.
Winning my first marathon swimming event in early 2010 (www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au) kick started a new sporting passion. Since then I have swum between Sydney Harbour Bridge and Manly Wharf Bar, Coogee Beach and Bondi Beach, and throughout many beaches around Sydney. I have also swum to raise money for charity (Black Dog Institute & Centenary Institute Medical Research Foundation), to raise awareness for important causes/research. I am currently looking to compete in Fiji in 2010 and Rottnest Channel Swim in 2011.
One key to success is maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. I have a number of health issues and swimming provides me the opportunity to have a healthy lifestyle. It is also an amazing opportunity to develop life-long friendships throughout the world.
Pool Swimming Career Highlights
2009 World Masters Games - 6 Gold and 2 Bronze Medals - 4 meet records in the 200, 400, 800 Freestyle and 400 IM
FINA Masters World Rankings (25-29 years) 200 Freestyle - 3rd 400 Freestyle - 1st 200 Backstroke - 4th 200 Breaststroke - 7th 200 Butterfly - 7th 200 IM - 3rd 400 IM - 2nd
2010 Aussie Masters National Championships - 5 Gold (200 Breast, 200 Back, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM), 2 Silver (200, 400 Free), 1 Bronze (100 Free).
FINA Masters World Rankings (25-29 years) 200 Freestyle - 7th 400 Freestyle - 4th 200 Backstroke - 6th 200 Breaststroke - 7th 200 IM - 7th 400 IM - 1st
Current Records NSW State - Long Course - 200 & 400 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 400 IM, Short Course - 200 & 400 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, 200 & 400 IM Australian National Masters - Short Course - 200 Freestyle, 200 & 400 IM World Masters Record - 4 x 100 Medley Relay (120-159 age group), 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay (160-199 age group)
