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Today was the day we remembered we are long-distance, open-water
swimmers. For some, it was the realisation, not the memory. A group of 10 made our way south on Friday evening, slightly apprehensive of the mess we signed ourselves up for the next morning.
Who drives over three hours away from their comfortable beds and lounges just to see whether they can swim longer than they ever have
before? It takes a certain mindset to even be aware of those boundaries, even more so to challenge
extending them. That is exactly what our group headed to accomplish, testing our abilities and questioning our limits.
The stage was set on Burrill Lake. A revolving start time, depending on which test each individual was to take, made the event a bit different to the average open water swim.
A communal finish, instead of start, allowed each of us to reach for our own personal bests.
The morning squad, Lane Three Group, was the highest representation.
With Richard Banks, Chris Cole, Dave Earls, and Greg Frazer all signed on, there was no question which lane at training was bringing the inspiration. The boys all targeted a start of 11am.
Margie McDonald juggled in an appearance, the group again having to coexist with the plethora of others who also gain from her presence.
There was NO other more influential swimmer on the day, as Marg’s audacity to not only ‘touch’ but ‘tame’ the spaceship looking jelly
blubbers certainly helped the rest of us who dared not even come close to them.
As an early departure was required, Marg looked at a 9:30am start time.
Clare Payne and Michael Bransby rounded out the group with big plans for the day.
When you’ve swum around Manhattan, it’s difficult to set a personal best in a training
swim; however, Clare was still deciding how far to go on the morning of the swim.
She and Mick decided on the maximum of 5 hours to be swum by the 2pm finish time.
So the starts trickled on. Mick took the plunge at 9:16 on route around the approximate 1.5km course.
It was probably 9:17 when he encountered his first extra terrestrial spacecraft (in the disguise of a jelly blubber).
I was in for three whole minutes before I experienced my first one. They certainly did change the psychological state of the swim.
Clare started at 9:46 and Margie at 10:02. The majority of the group was on their way.
The water temp was nice and warm, probably 23-24, too warm as it turned out, but nice and comfortable.
The swim went ahead with each swimmer forging their own way ahead, battling mostly the repetition of
seconds, minutes, and hours ticking by. It does present a challenge when the clock is the only competitor in a swimming event.
At 11am, the others began their journeys. Chris, Dave, and Richard all took to the water, on their way to the 2pm collective finish.
Greg opted for a 2 and a half hour swim, pretty gutsy as his longest open water swim to date was the Cole Classic.
The bar was set quite high for each participant; and I truly believe that not everyone taking part actually thought they might get across the time line.
Someone once said that the true success is having a go, just making an attempt on the day.
Well, not one who took part exited the water before the group finish.
Everyone walked out (with a bit left in the tank I might add) achieving a lifetime best for time in the
water and a level of confidence that only an event like this can provide.
I want to congratulate Marg, Mick, Clare, Dave, Richard, Chris, and Greg, not only for doing something you’ve never done before, but also for having the courage to accept doing it in the first
place and for preparing yourselves to be able to.
The day was an absolute success, except for the poor fishing club at the local serviceman’s club who had 10 starving swimmers attack their peaceful barbeque with the strength of a pack of hunting wolves.
We apologise to any local fisherman who had to go without a feed due to our mass consumption.
Bring on Watson’s Bay. We’re plenty ready!!
Special thanks for all the help provided by Simon on the boat and Josh and Lachie on the ski and board.
We couldn’t have done it without you.
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