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| El Bernard Buncle doesn't like having his pitcher taken at ocean swims, so he does ridiculous things to the camera, hoping that this will preclude us using them. Wrong, el Bernard. Didn't you learn from Barrie Unsworth swearing at the TV camera peering over his shoulder during voting in ACTU Executive elections? Didn't stop them using the footage. Indeed, it added a piquancy. As does your two-fingered salute. Bernie actually is a nice, decent, fun-loving bloke, an excellent father and husband. But he does have a sometimes unfathomable sense of humour. |
True, numbers were helped by the fact that Easter was earli-ish this year, with school holidays still some time off, so not as many people were away, perhaps. But they were enthusiastic mobs at each location, and they continue a trend of punters at last swimming longer seasons. The Victorian season is done now, Sou-Stra'a has one to go, Tassie finished this weekend, Queensland will run through the year, albeit spasmodically, and NSW runs through the end of June. But it was only a few years ago that most punters traditionally turned off after the Cole Classic in early February, that being their season goal.
One of our quests has been to get punters to swim longer seasons. We worried this year when bad weather forced so many cancellations and postponements. In Sydney, we went three weeks without a swim in February-March. Would you all come back, we wondered?
Yes, you have. There've been strong numbers at swims since that unfortunate inter-regnum, as it were, and April is looking good. New swims in recent seasons have gone to March and April -- Evans Head went to the June long weekend -- to get space. Now, March and April are our busiest months in terms of numbers of swims. Next weekend, there are four swims in NSW! On the last weekend in April, there are two swims on the one day, both on Sydney's Northern Beaches - South Curly-Freshwater, and Warriewood.
We have three months to go in NSW. We now have an eight-month season, starting with Forresters Beach in early October, running through Mona Vale at the end of June. Now, it's a season when too much ocean swimming is barely enough.
Tell us about your swims this weekend...
Easter Swim Orgy - Copeton Practice Swim
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect morning for a swim and a group of dedicated local swimmers decided to test the Copeton Swim Course out this morning in what could be described as idyllic conditions.
With the water level of the dam at 74.6 percent the Copeton State Park looks a picture with lots of camping areas around the foreshores. At 9.30am this morning the water temp was 23 degrees and Ranger Dave said it rises to about 26 degrees by the end of the day in these beautiful autumn conditions. With just under 4 weeks until the swim its time to get those entries in and only 7 days if you would like a chance at the Go Pro Camera. Check out the crew doing the practise swim by following the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gozd4WCfU0. Be part of this historic event, the first ever 'Swim with Altitude'.
We had another great swim at Pacific Palms on Easter Sunday. The Pacific Palms Real Estate Rock to Rock Swim is now in it's 14th year. It's a friendly 1.5km and the ocean was 22 degrees with a light WSW breeze standing the waves up a little on North facing Elizabeth Beach.Fortunately the water has cleaned up after all the rain(232mm on one Saturday about a month ago!)
ReplyDeleteWe don't have much beach left so the start was slewed a little in an attempt to make space for all swimmers. Didn't really work that well with many swimmers enjoying a short skip along the beach before taking to the water. Nobody complained.
The swim had particular significance this year and one minute's silence was held on the start line to pay tribute to Sandra Wilson who died of a heart attack after completing the swim last year. Sandra was the PPSLSC treasurer for many years and had patrolled the beach for 10 years without missing a patrol. A most beautiful person.
The finish was the closest we've had with first and second places separated by 11 one hundredths of a second. Congratulations to Ethan Whiteman (first) and Connor Shakespeare (second).
A personal best was recorded by Mel Eustace, a Downs Syndrome competitor, who completed her 6th Rock to Rock this year. Well done Mel.
Thanks to the competitors and to everyone who worked so hard to make the race happen.
I'm not a religious person I don't meditate but swimming in a warm clear ocean is about as spiritual as it gets for me.
Mark Martin
President
Pacific Palms SLSC
One more thing - We had a camera handed in after the Swim on Sunday. If you are the owner please call me on 6554 0757.
DeleteMark Martin
Thankyou to the Bondi crew for running the swim later rather than cancel as Sunday turned out to be a great Day.
ReplyDeleteAs for all you swimmers over 50 who are swimming faster than 25 year olds ASADA and the PM will be at the next Oceanswim with the wee wee tin for a bit of dope testing. As I am convinced youse lot are taking more supplements then 1st grade league players.
The Peach Farmer
Dear Peach Farmer - If beer, scotch & red wine the night before a swim are counted as supplements then guilty as charged.
DeleteBryce Songberg
Good grief, I have spent the past 30 minutes on this website - perusing the fab photos, reading Lizzie's blob, other reports, and watching Murray B de Cox's groundbreaking short film. The man is a master of the hand-held camera technique. Watch out Scorsese.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think I'd have better things to do with my time.