Wow! what a ripper of swim from Tama to Clovelly. We thought beforehand that this swim could be a ripper, but it was more than that. TamaCloey may build to be one of the best swims on the ocean swimming calendar! Enigmatic course, spooky day, onshore breeze, following swell but backwash off the rocks ... cliffs most of the way ... once you're out, you're committed ... and what a glorious bottom from the point into Cloey ... this bottom was maybe more rocky and reefy that Wedding Cake Island ... what did you think of the starting wave arrangement? ... What did you think of the swim overall? ... Cloey has to have the best clubhouse on the coast, sitting right on the sea ...
And Pacific Palms ... what a lovely day out, yet again. A hidden gem of the north coast, one that we'd never have found but for ocean swimming ... that's what we love about this caper: there are so many places we go, so many experiences for which the swim is merely the catalyst ... What do we like about ocean swimming? Travel and meeting people!
Tell us what you think ... Click the comments button below ...
TamaCloey was excellent! A well organised event and like usual these surf lifesavers do a fantastic job and make you feel safe out there at all times! I entered on the day and was a bit confused on how I got an orange cap when standing there with men and women, young and old. Turned out I was in a group similar to my swim time which actually turned out to be perfect! Wave start for me went very well - no complaints - seemed that enough time was allowed as I don't think any of us orange caps got mowed down by the group behind us. Thank you for an enjoyable morning! Good to meet up with some fellow Wett Ones also!
ReplyDeleteThis weekend, as os.c says, was for me (and others), another weekend of travelling, meeting people and earning my sausage sandwiches.
ReplyDeletePacific Palms is a gem. Between the mad Easter rush time, the roads are surprisingly empty, and although the course is a short one, it's an hour glass shaped course, with probably some of the tightest turns. The event also boasts a very competitive turn out and with over 200 entrants, its a good turn out for a regional swim. I enjoy this swim because the course is weird and wonderful, and self contained within one of Forster's best beaches.
Tama to Cloey was unknown territory for me. Leaving home very early, I had to navigate to a distant land called the Eastern Suburbs. I thought the swim was exceptionally well run. The starting sequence worked well, but I did note some wave 5 starting in wave 3 as they couldn't tell dark blue from navy blue.
It was a challenging swim to say the least. I don't know about others, but it was a real roller coaster ride out there; trying to get my rhythm; the waves reflecting, refracting, bouncing, etc off the cliffs made it a real challenge to grab the water, pull through and then breathe without copping a gobful of saltwater (which ultimately requires plenty of hydration to rid one of the extra sodium).
The run in Clovelly Bay was interesting; it reminded me of the days when I use to dive under Manly Wharf as a kid to scratch around in the sand for money; at least that was something to take my mind off the bluebottle stings.
The sausage sandwich went down a treat, but thought it time to go when i was informed that I must wear shoes???
Great swim, loved the chop and the bottom on the way into Cloey. Bluebottle necklace only added to the experience. Very well organised and the ability wave arrangement seemed to be a great idea. It worked for me. If there's one potential downside, it's that the cut-and-thrust of an all-in age-based start was missing, but then, not everyone likes a kick in the head. So, all-in-all, a terrific swim and definitely a classic.
ReplyDeleteTamaCloey was simply awesome!! This was my 3rd ocean swim ever and definitely my favourite. Three cheers for the generosity and professional care of the surf livesavers who asked us if we were ok when we stopped several times for rest, pointed us in the right direction whenever we strayed offline, cheered for us around the point into Cloey, helped me to a chair and warmed me up with towels when I was shivering and dizzy as I staggered up to the finish line, carted me up to the clubhouse so I could have a hot shower, after which I was feeling normal again. Thank you lifesavers, organisers, sponsors and fellow swimmers! See you at TamaCloey 2010!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great swim and I loved the the starting wave arrangement using historical times to place you.Not being the fastest swimmer this starting process helps me avoid those testosterone charged swimmers who love swimming over the top of you at starts. Pretty dark & eerie out there however a lot of fun. Cant wait to buy some new fogles gogles to see where I am going next swim. A credit to the organisers I am definately a starter next year in what will challenge some of the iconic swims off Sydney each summer.
ReplyDeleteThis years "Rock to Rock" was my forth venture around at Pacific Palms. Another fantastic day and well run by the Pac Palms Club. I really enjoy the small regional swims where the sausage sandwich is usually thrown in for your efforts. Thankyou !
ReplyDeleteIn my travels up and down the coast I often spot a beach or a swim that would be great to try. Food for thought... How about the "Bridge to Bridge" at Karuah (New Bypass back to the Old Highway). About 3.6 - 4.0km on Google earth.
What a truly awesome, memorable, amazing swim. T
ReplyDeleteThe website promised this would be a classic and I got home this afternoon still completely in awe of the event today and this amazing sport that I took up two years ago.
In true Countdown style, the top highlights of the day were....
10. Bus trip from Clovelly nippers car park was very civilized, the moment where everybody jumped up as we rounded the coastal road into Tama to check out the conditions was, well, priceless...
9. How was that rip taking us out at Tama? I felt I should have had a seat belt strapped on.
8. I was told that the waves were decided on some kind of seeding / previous race results but as I looked around at my Wave 3 mates I thought -geez, there are some good looking boofy blokes and gals here, so obviously they have ranked us all in terms of how good we look...and we have made it into the (semi) ocean swim model category (i.e wave 3)
7. Easter Eggs at the end of a race?? Who is the genius who thought of that??!
6. Two of my ANZ workmates swam today, and we had staff support as well - great to see the sport spreading at my workplace! We will try and organise some corporate sponsorship for a swim next summer.
5. WHAT A SWELL!! Finally this summer I have had a true ocean swim where i got smashed around by some quite nasty chop which really had no idea what it was doing, and reminded me that I really should learn to breathe on my right hand side.
4. Those little tiny gorgeous flock of fish at the 4/5 mark were the only thing that got me through the race - i was really stuggling by that point and thought, wow, those fish are really pretty!!! Life is not all that bad...
Last 3 points of praise are to the event organisers
3. Good meija coverage, great to see us all on the news tonight
2. After I got stung badly by a bluey 2/3 into the race i had at least 3 surf crew come to help me out (dee why 2008 - take note) and i said i am ok and will continue to the end...somehow knowing those guys were out there at 15-20m intervals was very reassuring
1. I came across the line very exhausted and in pain from the bluey sting - and this is where the true professionalism of the event kicked in - very kind surf life saving members immediately put ice on my stings, and then dragged me off to the showers in the clovelly SLSC where members were handing out 20c pieces to have a hot shower and dull the pain. Truly awesome guys, you do the sport a true credit.
Ok, now can I please have a case of beer to take to byron...
kezza
What a truly awesome, memorable, amazing swim. T
ReplyDeleteThe website promised this would be a classic and I got home this afternoon still completely in awe of the event today and this amazing sport that I took up two years ago.
In true Countdown style, the top highlights of the day were....
10. Bus trip from Clovelly nippers car park was very civilized, the moment where everybody jumped up as we rounded the coastal road into Tama to check out the conditions was, well, priceless...
9. How was that rip taking us out at Tama? I felt I should have had a seat belt strapped on.
8. I was told that the waves were decided on some kind of seeding / previous race results but as I looked around at my Wave 3 mates I thought -geez, there are some good looking boofy blokes and gals here, so obviously they have ranked us all in terms of how good we look...and we have made it into the (semi) ocean swim model category (i.e wave 3)
7. Easter Eggs at the end of a race?? Who is the genius who thought of that??!
6. Two of my ANZ workmates swam today, and we had staff support as well - great to see the sport spreading at my workplace! We will try and organise some corporate sponsorship for a swim next summer.
5. WHAT A SWELL!! Finally this summer I have had a true ocean swim where i got smashed around by some quite nasty chop which really had no idea what it was doing, and reminded me that I really should learn to breathe on my right hand side.
4. Those little tiny gorgeous flock of fish at the 4/5 mark were the only thing that got me through the race - i was really stuggling by that point and thought, wow, those fish are really pretty!!! Life is not all that bad...
Last 3 points of praise are to the event organisers
3. Good meija coverage, great to see us all on the news tonight
2. After I got stung badly by a bluey 2/3 into the race i had at least 3 surf crew come to help me out (dee why 2008 - take note) and i said i am ok and will continue to the end...somehow knowing those guys were out there at 15-20m intervals was very reassuring
1. I came across the line very exhausted and in pain from the bluey sting - and this is where the true professionalism of the event kicked in - very kind surf life saving members immediately put ice on my stings, and then dragged me off to the showers in the clovelly SLSC where members were handing out 20c pieces to have a hot shower and dull the pain. Truly awesome guys, you do the sport a true credit.
Ok, now can I please have a case of beer to take to byron...
kezza
I've swam most of the ocean swims this year and have really enjoyed seeing different beaches, surf clubs, people and experiencing varied conditions in the water and air. I must say generally speaking the destination swims are usually the most satifying hence why Tama to Cloey is a good one. Thank you to the lifesavers and volunteers who give their time for free and make these swims possible...it is much appreciated. Just some feedback on this swim, the organisation before the race could have been run more effectively. There was a queue for the timing chip, one to get a number written on your arm and a third one for a swim cap. It created congestion in the small Tama surf club room and wasn't an efficient way to hand out each swimmers race kit. A blogger mentioned it before but I was one of the swimmers who nearly left in wave 3 as their swim caps were very similiar to wave 5...thank you to the swimmer who noticed my wave number on my arm and corrected it. Last point (not wanting to be negative) and understand it's part of Ocean swimming but you either need more people on the course to direct swimmers or have bigger bouys. It can be really hard to punch out a good swim without any stopping when you struggle to see bouys and don't have all lifesavers pointing in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAny news on whether the organisers of the Nth Steyne swim have re-scheduled the swim to another date this year?
Thanks,
Otto
Loved the Tama to Cloey swim today. For a new race, it was well organised and the waves worked really well. I, too, wondered why I had the cap I did but it turned out perfectly. The lifeguards were brilliant - what a thankless job! Well done to the organisers...look forward to next year.
ReplyDeleteThis is my new favorite swim. A fantastic swim and very well organized. Thanks a lot to water safety and those who organized it.
ReplyDeletePS. The american guy on the loudspeaker at Tamarama was a laugh. His commentary added a real atmosphere to the event and helped keep me from over-thinking and fretting about the upcoming swim. Thanks!
"Use adjectives" advises oceanswims.com, and after chatting to the aforementioned (is that an adjective?) famous (that is) scribe before the swim about journalsm and grammar I will undoubtedly (adverb) comply.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, my sincere thanks to the charming Colleen on the merchandising stand and her beautiful baby Imogen, who risked life and limb (or at least limb) by giving me some of her (ie Imogen's) nappy rash cream to use in place of vaseline. I'd asked her (i.e. Colleen) (sorry about all these brackets) where I could buy steal or borrow some vaseline and she suggested the very affective nappy cream to protect my sensitive neck. Thank you Colleen and Imogen.
In spite of my nationality I'm not a big fan of queues so I was fortunate to get to Tama (after a pleasant walk from Clovelly) before the traffic jam at rego. However the same phenomenon (i.e. impatience with queues) prevented me from getting what looked like a very tasty burned sausage sarnie after the event.
On the bright side, my seeding in wave 13 and subsequent late arrival (combined with a pedestrian time of 51 minutes, if a swim can be pedestrian) meant all those considerate swimmers in front of me cleaned up the blueys and left me to power (or struggle) home stuffed but unstung.
The swim itself? It was a bugger. Hard work. But fun. More thanks are due to the announcer who told us before our wave went off that a pod of dolphins had been seen at Bronte and not to worry if we saw them because they were "friendly fish" - or mammals. Not that I saw them, or anything else apart from big, dark waves, the occasional diver and shoals of so-called "bait fish". Small gulp.
The nice annoiuncer also told us that even though there was the occasional big wave they were well spaced apart and not to worry, so on charging in at the start I didn't worry until upon surfacing from big wave number one, immediately after which big wave number two hit me.
Luckily I still had enough breath to get under that one, fighing down a sense of panic (will I drown? will I look a pratt and get hauled out just after the start?) to find that thanks to the rip I was beyond the break and close to the first booey.
The rest of the swim was a battle - the swell was damned hard work and Shark Point (which fortunately I didn't know was called such at the time) took forever to circumnavigate, while the last stretch into Cloey was a long drag.
After the race, enjoying a free 20c shower, someone asked me how it was and I said "damned hard work". "Will you do it again?" they asked.
Of course - it was a great swim and many thanks to everyone involved.
PS Why are so many points round Sydney called "shark something" and so few called "bluebottle something"?
As an avid fan of ocean swimming, I observed the Tama/Cloey swim from Bronte cliffs as I had to withdraw due sickness. It was quite amazing to see the different lines the peletons took as it would have been impossible to see the only two white buoys on the entire course. In fact the first buoy off Bronte was removed after 30mins and taken in to the beach and dumped. This left only one off the cemetery and that would not have been visible until a swimmer was quite close. Granted there were lots of lifeguards with pointed arms, but this is not a satisfactory way of effectivly being able to swim a line.Ocean swimming is fantastic fun and is becoming more and more popular, but it needs to be as safe as possible, and having a lot more buoys placed at regular intervals would go a long way to enhancing this. Obviously the surf clubs do not have that many as it would be costly to organising for six months of the year, but I for one would be very happy to contribute to a fund to say this organising website to purchase enough buoys for the main events each weekend, which could be delivered the day before the swim.
ReplyDeleteChuck Hahn who swam Tama-Cloey is well known to those who like a beer and if you'd like to see what he gets up to in his brewery, with a short bio, read today's (Tuesday) S M Herald, Good Living section page 17.
ReplyDeleteAn avid ocean swimmer I had to withdraw from Tama/Cloey due sickness so observed the swim from Bronte cliffs. It was amazing to see the different lines the peletons took as the bunch followed the leaders as it would have been impossible to see the only two white buoys on the entire course.In fact the first white buoy off Bronte was removed afetr 30 mins and dumped on the beach .This left only one off the cemetery that would have not been visible until almost on top of it. There were lifeguards with pointed arms but that is not a satisfactory way of swimming a line in the ocean. Ocean swimming is a lot of fun but it is not without risk and one way of mitigating would be to have a lot more buoys placed at regular intervals on the course.
ReplyDeleteSurf clubs obviously do not have the resources to do this for six months of the year but I for one would be happy to contribute to a fund managed by this website that could purchase enough buoys that could then be delivered to each main event prior to a swim
Thoughts for next year
Chris Holt
Awesome swim! had no idea where i was going once out there in the mighty blue, but there was always some kind looking angel floating around to point me in the right direction. this event was supremely organised!! loved being in a wave start with swimmers of similar speed - didn't feel a thing :). can't wait to do it again next year!!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! so much fun. epic adventure. Rip to get through the break, swell that can't be beaten (keep you head up peeps and you won't swallow water), amazing visuals (swimmers and sea-life), navigational challenges (who moved all the buoys??), and mind-bending thinking time (is that a shark-whacker down there??). And that was just in the water. Best swim I have done in ages, although slowest time I must admit - I was distracted by all the good things underwater, in the water, and next to the water.
ReplyDeleteRe The Picture Caption "Spot the difference"
ReplyDeleteObviously it's a special chamber that carries this guys extra large heart. Considering he beat some of those little pea heart pretty boys in the 2.4km swim.
NB: The girl in the Freshwater cosies has dived way too early. The girl in the multi green coloured cosies has a very nice tan though.
Betty Anderson
Bambi wrote: "..thought it time to go when i was informed that I must wear shoes???"
ReplyDeleteLOL! Welcome to the Eastern Suburbs, where every drinking hole seems to have a security officer on the door. "Can't come in here with those shoes bro".
Perhaps the surf club could have a quite word with security next year.
Gotta love TamaCloey. Where else could you get swim showbags containing an SDS sunglasses case* (*sunglasses not included) and "celebrity slim" vitamins.
Enjoyed the swim, loved the course & conditions, excellent organisation & water safety.
THE T2C was the best swim i have had this year. The weather was great. The place awesome. The support fabulous. I am a little bit experienced ocean swimmer and for some reason i was sooo very nervous about this swim. Even 2 seconds before the gun i was considering pulling out from shear nerves. Once in the water, not for one moment did i had a panic attack. The number of support people on the water was very encouraging. I loved the lifesavers who clapped us as we came around the headland at Cloey. I really appreciated that. And the young lifesavers who chased after me on their skis as i swam off course a number of times. And i always appreciate the people who help me take off my leg bands at the end of a swim. I am very wobbly when i get onto the shore again. Thank you always to the lifesavers who voluntarily help me when i swim just to feel great and say "I can do that".
ReplyDeleteLoved the pacific palms swim - course was so easy to follow, fun swell at northern end, nice big wave groups so had lots of company. will add to the ever-growing list of swims i must do again next season. thanks v much to the slsc and thanks also to the v excellent glistening dave - what a wonderful photographer he is, managing to get a snap of me with my gut sucked in. you are a true gentleman dave.
ReplyDeleteI though the Tama to Cloey swim was really well organised and a true credit to all those involved. After the postponement of last year's event the whole affair had really good vibe even with the dodgy weather !!
ReplyDeleteHad a grand swim, it was a bit shallower than i thought it would be and after 'pitching and rolling' in the chop for 35 mins or so, it was nice to turn the corner at Shark Point and have 500 mts over the rocks and sea-life into Clovelly.
I though the waves worked perfectly, very little bumping and barging, but that might be down to smaller waves. It also seemed that the 'seeded' waves created smaller groups of two's & three's of similar ability that swam together the whole way. It was certainly a pleasure to be in Wave 9 were good humour and spirit were order of the day.
On the subject of the relative visibility of various types of bouys, what about those cylindrical ones with the helium filled balloons floating a metre or two above. I seem to remember them being used at Bilgola over the past coupla years, and not having any trouble seein them at all; even before Santa got me a pair of those specky prescription goggles from View for Chrissy. Since then I've been able to spot markers of all shapes and sizes much more easily, as well as have a much better gander at whats goin on below the water (shameless testamonial plug fully intended in the hope of scorin a freeby or summint).
ReplyDeleteAs for the Tama2Cloe race, what a ripper, hey? This race has deadset got legs! Thanks to the Tama n Cloe clubbies, their respective sponsors and event partners, youz put on a great event. A new classic is born; but don't use the word "classic" to promote it coz the word's so five years ago now! Call it a "derby", "stakes", or "championship", or sumfin sporty like that. Get ya spin doctors onto it, I'm sure they can come up with sumfin.
David Love
T2C was a great swim, but where are the results ?
ReplyDeleteI think I have done eight Rock to Rock swims at Pacific Palms, but this is the first time that home made 'Rock to Rock' cakes were on sale. Mmmmmm! They would have been more than 60c at Cloey.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat and crew.
Moose
Equal best swim with the Coogee to Wedding Caktes Island this summer. I was in the 16th wave and didn't encounter dolphins or bluebottles.
ReplyDeleteI'll post more later, but just a quick note that the provisional results are up on the event web site, here: http://www.t2cswim.com/tiki-index.php?page=results
ReplyDeleteOnce we get a few of the more interesting errors ironed out we'll send it on to oceanswims. I understand the Hanhn point score is getting pretty tight, so we're aiming to get it right.
Thanks all for coming along and all your wonderful comments.
Chris Glover
Race Director
Thanks for organizing such a great event. Water safety was amazing and a great atmosphere pervaded. I would be interested to know what timing system was used and how the results were recorded. How could swimmers in the same age group, waves apart get exactly the same time ? Should I buy a lottery ticket or does this happen often ? Also I noticed that these "tied" swimmers are not ranked as equal 1st, but 1st and 2nd. How is this determined ? No biggie, just wondering....
ReplyDeleteThank you to all the competitors who came (or returned) from all over the state to attend our first (but second attempt) swim.
ReplyDeleteWe hope you enjoyed the swim to Cloey that our TOSSers (Tamarama Ocean Swim Squad)have been doing (with return leg) a few times per season for a few years now.
There were competitors from the far north coast to the south coast, internationals and people who returned after our swim was called off last year due to Tamarama's temperamental surf conditions. This made us all happy in Tama.
Despite the rumours we did not pay the dolphins to appear and they have been appearing more in recent times as Sydney's water clears up.
There were some comments about the swim buoys for which we apologise, and the schools of colourful fish which probably has something to do with the marine park from Bronte Pool to Gordons Bay.(we cannot take responsibility)
Your comments both positive and negative are appreciated so that we can put on a better event in the future.
The Tamarama Ocean Swim Squad swims in summer Surf Life Saving patrol season at 10 am on Saturdays and is free and open to people who hold current and proficient bronze medallions from any surf club (so you are covered by our insurance). The course varies depending on weather and surf.
Thanks to all the volunteers of both clubs who supported the event in administration and water safety, the council lifeguards, the sponsors also and most importantly for you the swimming public for your participation and support of this community event.
Shay Deguara
Hon Secretary
Tamarama SLSC
Although Chris Holt observed the swim from the Bronte cliffs, I swam T2C and can confirm his comments on the difficulty in seeing the bouys and swimming a semi straight course. I had to ask the lifesavers when taking my breathes to point where to go. The simple fact is we need more bouys for these swims...T2C wasn't the only swim that was like this, Stanwell Park needed more too. Understand not everyones ambition is to achieve a quick time or improve on their last but for many it is and this adds to the enjoyment of the day...a sense of achievment. Given this makes such an impact for all swimmers and its a relatviely easy fix of getting more buoys or bigger ones like the ones used at Bilgola, it would be CRAZY not for the organisers to do it.
ReplyDeleteBesides the difficult navigation of the course, the day was great.
This swim is here to stay - on a sunny day with glassy water this will be an absolute cracker...bring on next year!
As I was celebrating my birthday in North Avoca, I didn't make it back in time for this swim - but it sounds like a cracker. Well done Chris.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I did want to join in the buoy debate.
While it would be nice to have more visible buoys, I don't think we should overcook this little rock cake. Isn't the use of navigation skills one reason why we swim in the ocean and not in a marked swimming pool?
I agree with Johnny Rotten. You need to do things differently in ocean swimming to pool swimming. First, do a bit of preparation before the race, get familiar with the course, swim out to the first can and sight the second. Then, when doing race, you are going to have to lift your head up more than you would in a pool. If you can't see the cans...make a decision, back yourself and keep looking up for it. Everyone is in the same boat as you, there is no disadvantage.....you just need to develop some ocean swimming skills. Here's a tip, sometimes the shortest distance between say, can 1 and can 3, is not directly via can 2. Don't turn up to a swim and expect these perfectly placed, highly visible cans every 50 metres. Reading a course, and course navigation is part of the deal here.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Thanks to all involved... I really enjoyed the swim.
ReplyDelete> I liked the new system for allocating the starting waves – bring it on for more swims. The waves didn’t seem so large despite the healthy turnout. What above recognising wave winners? Then, maybe one-day we can all have a chance of winning something – not just a lucky draw prize. What about adding the wave number as an extra column in the results?
> I guess I was lucky - no registration issues like some people above.
> Great course – something I wouldn’t swim unless there was something official.
> Always enjoy the fruit at the finish, and, I agree, it’s really a nice luxury to have someone-else remove the timing chip.
> As for the swim... After the almost endless battle with the chop which seemed to be coming from all directions for the first two-thirds of the race, it was fantastic sailing over the reef after rounding the headland into Cloey.
> The other unique thing about finishing at Cloey was being able to watch the later waves finishing. Standing near the surf club and watching the swimmers entering the protected bay at Cloey was like watching runners enter the main stadium after their marathon. There were some real ding-dong battles between people who’d swum the whole race together... I enjoyed the two girls dunking each other (must be water polo players) and the familiar stroke of a friend battling it out for the whole leg with a fellow pink capper only to cramp up when he hit the sand. You just can’t help but cheer ‘em on.
> I'm not sure about the big dilemma with the buoys... surely, after the first turning buoy off the beach at Tama, no more buoys are required until you reach the main headland (Shark Point). Isn't that a big enough landmark for everyone to aim for?
Looking foward to next year. Hopefully we’ll also be blessed with sunny conditions.
Rob
Tama to Cloey rocked
ReplyDeleteExcellent organisation, excellent water safety
HUGE thanks to all the skilled volunteers and support crews - really makes an event like this work.
Navigation - now there is the challenge of ocean swimming - embrace it and get comfortable with not always being able to see ahead or know where you're going! - its the ocean not a pool - no lane ropes in the deep blue
In my view there were enough buoys marking the course - setting more buoys on a deep course like this swim and in windy and choppy conditions would not be easy and potentially lead to further confusion as strong currents and winds move the buoys constantly
Do your homework on the course beforehand - for instance those cliffs the whole way to Shark Point dont move do they? use them as a guide - continually judge your distance from them - that will keep you in the right direction
Special mention to water safety people - great job on keep numerous people from heading out to sea - it amazes me swimmers can't tell they are moving further and further away from the cliffs!
Thanks again Tama and Clovelly SLSC's - great job guys and see you next year
Loved the swim, the challenging conditions and scenery - a bit of everything.
ReplyDeleteI had a fantastic battle with 3 other people in my wave, we all had a good go and were so equally matched. I don't know any of them by name or face (I was too exhausted to look up when I crossed the line). I agree with an earlier comment that a column listing the wave number could be useful.
This is my husband's and my first season of ocean swimming after a 20+ yr absence (we were young clubbies...and competitors from different surf clubs). We are absolutely hooked and love being in the ocean. The people, places and the mighty ocean have captured us and we feel a bit lost now the season is almost over.
Thanks to oceanswims.com for bringing it all together for us.
I really enjoyed myself.
ReplyDeleteThe bouys were great but I prefer them tall and fat all the way up as well.
I think oceans.com has one like this as well.
Although it could be conical with a fat bit at the bottom. I can't remember.
Jenny from Byron Bay
I wouldn't sweat on the bouys. If there was one moment that sums up how fantastic this swim was for me it was the moment I looked up and realised I had no idea where the course was. After a great start and a bit of arm waving in the general direction of Shark Point, I suddenly found myself alone. For what seemed a very long time (about 5 seconds) I seemed to be the only thing in a rather large and dark ocean. I could see no bouys, no lifegaurds and no other swimmers. I'd lost touch with everyone and it was at that point the cliffs seemed a little higher and the beach a little less reachable. Stopping (or should that be bobbing?) momentarily to review this situation, it occurred to me my legs were dangling like two carrots in a dark and silent sea. What if....? Nah, probably best not to think about that one. What can I do? Not much choice really. Keep going. Aim for that big headland in the distance. And try not to drown. So that's what I did, stroke after stroke, and headland check after headland check (yes, it's still there, no it's not too far away) until I felt the warm embrace of a jellyfish wrapped around my neck and down across my shoulders. Hmm, this is nice. What's next? Frenzied shark attack? Possibly a drowning? Another stop and a delicate removal of said jellyfish - and then, yes! A man on a surfboard with a funny hat. Cling to surfboard, ask man if jellyfish gone, take in suggestion that hand should be raised if consciousness lapses, and swim on. On into more rolling water, and more bouyless ocean. Am I going the right way? Yes, I must be because there's another man, and another, and this one's clapping me, so I must be near the finish, and now I am near the finish, and now I'm near the rocks, and now I'm veering repeatedly into an old lady, and now I've seen her off! And someone is taking off my chip, and giving me ice. And I've done it! Ahh, I've done it. I've beaten the old lady. And of all the feelings and the memories which one is the strongest and best (after beating the old lady)? The memory of one little moment bobbing up and down in the big grey ocean, with no company, no certainty and no idea what was underneath me. Just a big cliff to head for, through swirling seas, under a stormy sky. Who could ask for more? This to me is ocean swimming.
ReplyDeleteOh I always sweat on the bouys.
ReplyDeleteI really don't mind the small ones bobbing benignly about the surface either. Any jetty in a storm.
Jenny from Byron Bay