Who was the bloke who rang up to enter a race last Sunday only to be told,
"You haven't been swimming, you're going to be 15b."
"It's not my fault, you started a month early" says the entrant.
"You imbecile!....
I can't publish the rest because this Blog has a family audience.
The entrant did go on to ask if he could be put on the Permanent List but I can't publish the answer to that either. I believe the inference was in the negative.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Permanent List
This is on the notice board for Winter Swimming for those who haven't seen it. Anybody who asks about the Permanant List is told to read it then ask Lofty if they have any questions. No one has had a question yet-
PERMANENT LIST
ANYONE WHO IS CURRENTLY ON THE PERMANENT LIST AND MISSES A SWIM WITHOUT GIVING PRIOR NOTICE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST AND WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE REINSTATED.
THE PERMANENT LIST IS FULL AT THE MOMENT AND NO MORE NEW NAMES ARE BEING TAKEN.
YOU MAY WRITE TO THE RACE RECORDER AND REQUEST TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST. HOWEVER, UNLESS YOU INTEND TO SWIM ON AT LEAST 20 SUNDAYS DURING THE SEASON YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME
LOFTY
PERMANENT LIST
ANYONE WHO IS CURRENTLY ON THE PERMANENT LIST AND MISSES A SWIM WITHOUT GIVING PRIOR NOTICE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST AND WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE REINSTATED.
THE PERMANENT LIST IS FULL AT THE MOMENT AND NO MORE NEW NAMES ARE BEING TAKEN.
YOU MAY WRITE TO THE RACE RECORDER AND REQUEST TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST. HOWEVER, UNLESS YOU INTEND TO SWIM ON AT LEAST 20 SUNDAYS DURING THE SEASON YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME
LOFTY
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Early Morning
For anyone wondering why you would get up early to go for a swim at this time of year, check this out. The photo's don't really do the sunrise justice (the camera is just a cheapo bought at a hock shop) but you get the idea. The water temperature is holding at summer levels. A beautiful morning to be out.Bondi SBLSC's finest heading for the early dip.
Look at that sky!
I love the smell of salt water in the morning.
Staff and swimmers at the Icebergs saw their first Humpback Whales of the season go by just after midday yesterday. There was a dive boat off Ben Buckler and they appeared to pass closely. Imagine diving off Bondi and a whale appears out of the blue wall. Would that get the heart racing or what?
Snorkeling with the Right Whale and Calf off Tama Reef was enough for me last year. I expected to see them, however the size of such a magnificent animal underwater is awe inspiring. I don't know that I'd want to be approached by a Humpback, after seeing their frisky behavior on many occasions.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bondi Icebergs Opening Day 2009
A very successful Opening Day at the Bondi Icebergs today. The weather looked ominous at sunup but cleared to give us a morning of glorious sunshine once the races were underway. People always ask us Icebergs about the cold, not realising that the Pool, being protected from most southerlies, is the warmest place to be on a sunny winters day.
Great to see lots of new members getting amongst the ice.
This year's t-shirt celebrates the 80th year of the club and there'll be a some special events through the season.
The starter lost a bet and had to wear those board shorts all day.
Great to see lots of new members getting amongst the ice.
This year's t-shirt celebrates the 80th year of the club and there'll be a some special events through the season.
The starter lost a bet and had to wear those board shorts all day.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Swans Launch
The Sydney Swans had their Season Launch at the Icebergs today and couldn't have chosen a better day or venue. The boys looked sharp and fit.
Sometimes finding a quiet place to sun bake at the 'Bergs can be problematic
Sometimes finding a quiet place to sun bake at the 'Bergs can be problematic
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Induction 2009
Potential Icebergs should note that induction days for season 2009 of the Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club will be on the Sunday 5th and Saturday 18th of April at 10:30 am sharp in the Members Room. I.e., access from street level (not the pool). NB there will be no third Induction Day, so these 2 days are it.
After being "Lofterized" in the Members room (don't worry it doesn't hurt...much), filling out a form, paying up front, you swim a 50m time trial.
a. To establish you won't drown. You need to be able to get from one end of a 50m pool, to the other, via the water, self propelled. (For stroke correction see "Jo the Mermaid". Have noticed a few improved swimmers around the pool this year and even "the Spy" is vowing to learn to freestyle, so get on with it.)
b. To establish your handicap time. I'll repeat that, your handicap time. So swim faster, if possible, than you've ever swum in your entire life. (If you don't get it by now, oh well.)
However, be real, the Icebergs is a commitment and the Club makes no apologies for that. It is what makes the Club the largest, most recognised winter swimming club in the country, if not the world. You can only miss 1 Sunday a month over the 5 month winter season. You will be considered a novice i.e., not a Full Iceberg, until your 75 swims over a minimum of 5 years is up. Being an Iceberg is a responsibility and taking responsibility for yourself. As JFK said when he was an Iceberg, "Think not what the Icebergs can do for you, rather, think what you can do for the Icebergs."
Can't make the Induction Days?
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
Live too far away to make the commitment of every week?
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
Former Olympian "I don't like swimming in cold water."
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
You want special rules, that you've decided to make up, to apply to you.
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
You think you want to be an "Iceburger", like it's something you get at Macca's.
You're an idiot - You can't be an Iceberg
You're a hand wringing, slim hipped, purse carrying, nancy boy, who's blaming everyone but yourself for not having your current membership card on Opening Day.
Be an Iceberg - Pay Entry $5:00, it's about taking responsibility, remember?
Being an Iceberg isn't for everyone and that's why being an Iceberg is special. There are plenty of other winter swimming clubs you can join. They have limp wristed names like Dolphins, Seals, Crabs or Eels. None of them are the Icebergs. None of them have "Rule 15B". It wasn't a Penguin that sunk the Titanic was it? You're not going to walk into some gin joint anywhere in the world and proclaim proudly "I'm a Splasher" and expect anyone to care...oh please. None of the other clubs have hundreds of swimmers turning up week after week after week, rain or shine. It's what makes the Icebergs great.
Wrong Question: How cold does it get?
Correct Answer: It's never cold enough!
You're an Iceberg! Toughen up!
So why do it? It's fun, whether you like it or not. This is the Club's 80th anniversary year, an auspicious occasion to join. It's a point of contact with people from all walks of life, you can bag a local Fireman (everyone does) and an aspiring Prime Minister on the same morning. You can drink beer and eat meat pies. There's healthy food at the "Crabbe Hole Cafe" on pool level. (Andrew has the best coffee in Bondi, no contest. The food is good for you, scary but true.)
At a time when sleazy public figures try to dictate what it is to be an Australian, this stands above all that sludge as a Great Aussie Institution. If you need exercise REAL men and women swim the Bay, 800m each way, before, or after their race, or both. (What do you mean SHARKS? There aren't that many. Well, maybe a few...)
Be a man, not a mollusc. Do it for yourself and do it for AUSTRALIA! See you there sport.
(With apologies to Roy & HG)
After being "Lofterized" in the Members room (don't worry it doesn't hurt...much), filling out a form, paying up front, you swim a 50m time trial.
a. To establish you won't drown. You need to be able to get from one end of a 50m pool, to the other, via the water, self propelled. (For stroke correction see "Jo the Mermaid". Have noticed a few improved swimmers around the pool this year and even "the Spy" is vowing to learn to freestyle, so get on with it.)
b. To establish your handicap time. I'll repeat that, your handicap time. So swim faster, if possible, than you've ever swum in your entire life. (If you don't get it by now, oh well.)
However, be real, the Icebergs is a commitment and the Club makes no apologies for that. It is what makes the Club the largest, most recognised winter swimming club in the country, if not the world. You can only miss 1 Sunday a month over the 5 month winter season. You will be considered a novice i.e., not a Full Iceberg, until your 75 swims over a minimum of 5 years is up. Being an Iceberg is a responsibility and taking responsibility for yourself. As JFK said when he was an Iceberg, "Think not what the Icebergs can do for you, rather, think what you can do for the Icebergs."
Can't make the Induction Days?
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
Live too far away to make the commitment of every week?
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
Former Olympian "I don't like swimming in cold water."
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
You want special rules, that you've decided to make up, to apply to you.
No worries - You can't be an Iceberg.
You think you want to be an "Iceburger", like it's something you get at Macca's.
You're an idiot - You can't be an Iceberg
You're a hand wringing, slim hipped, purse carrying, nancy boy, who's blaming everyone but yourself for not having your current membership card on Opening Day.
Be an Iceberg - Pay Entry $5:00, it's about taking responsibility, remember?
Being an Iceberg isn't for everyone and that's why being an Iceberg is special. There are plenty of other winter swimming clubs you can join. They have limp wristed names like Dolphins, Seals, Crabs or Eels. None of them are the Icebergs. None of them have "Rule 15B". It wasn't a Penguin that sunk the Titanic was it? You're not going to walk into some gin joint anywhere in the world and proclaim proudly "I'm a Splasher" and expect anyone to care...oh please. None of the other clubs have hundreds of swimmers turning up week after week after week, rain or shine. It's what makes the Icebergs great.
Wrong Question: How cold does it get?
Correct Answer: It's never cold enough!
You're an Iceberg! Toughen up!
So why do it? It's fun, whether you like it or not. This is the Club's 80th anniversary year, an auspicious occasion to join. It's a point of contact with people from all walks of life, you can bag a local Fireman (everyone does) and an aspiring Prime Minister on the same morning. You can drink beer and eat meat pies. There's healthy food at the "Crabbe Hole Cafe" on pool level. (Andrew has the best coffee in Bondi, no contest. The food is good for you, scary but true.)
At a time when sleazy public figures try to dictate what it is to be an Australian, this stands above all that sludge as a Great Aussie Institution. If you need exercise REAL men and women swim the Bay, 800m each way, before, or after their race, or both. (What do you mean SHARKS? There aren't that many. Well, maybe a few...)
Be a man, not a mollusc. Do it for yourself and do it for AUSTRALIA! See you there sport.
(With apologies to Roy & HG)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Here comes another season.
It's on again. Yes, the induction days are next month. Sunday 5 April and Saturday 18 April. Turn up at the club (not the pool) for a 10:30 sharp start. You'll need your swimmers, a filled out membership form and be able to pay your membership fee. ($195-00).
Opening Day on the first Sunday in May (the 3rd). Bigger than Ben Hur!
Opening Day on the first Sunday in May (the 3rd). Bigger than Ben Hur!
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