On re-con knees

NEWS FLASH!!!
LOFTY WINS THE THIRTEETH HEAT!!!
Many said it couldn't be done but those in the know knew that anything was possible. Lofty hadn't competed all this season and only started his new training regime last Friday but it obviously worked. If he can beat the Burglars in this heat, what will he be like next year with two new knees. Unbeatable.

Great dive, brings to mind a tree falling...

Last Chance for the Big Dance

Those who couldn't make the pre-season induction days are getting one last chance. Saturday the 17th of May at 11am sharp is the final time you can join the Icebergs Winter Swimming Club for this year. See below for details of what joining entails.

It was great to see so many members turn up for Opening Day. We were blessed with sparkling weather and the pool looked a picture. Those who kicked on for an afternoon in the club were thoroughly entertained. If you weren't there you missed out. The committee should look at singing lessons for a few individuals.

Don't forget to try a meal at the Sundeck. There's been a revolution in the kitchen and it's all good. Charles and his guys are cooking up a storm. Is there any better place to take in Bondi than from the balcony on a sunny day.

Induction Dates

Induction Days for the 2008 Winter Swimming Season of the Bondi Icebergs will be Saturday 12 April & Saturday 26 April 2008 at 11am sharp. These are the only 2 days you can join, so be there, or miss out until next year. (See previous post).

Swimmers should note that these days of Autumn (water temp. 22.5 Degrees) are the best time of the year to swim and the weather this week is spectacular.

Induction 2008

Potential Icebergs should note that induction days for this season (2008) of the Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club will be on the 12th and 26th of April at 11 am sharp in the Members Room. I.e., access from street level (not the pool).

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 and that's all I'm saying about the swimming styles on display at an Icebergs Sunday for this year. (For stroke correction see "Jo the Mermaid" or "Spot with attitude Anderson".)

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. 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. (This season, the long range forecast says there will be precious little of the latter, so toughen up, 'cause you've had it easy 'til now.) It's what makes the Icebergs great.

So why do it? It's fun, whether you like it or not! 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. This year there'll even be healthy food at the new, for this season, "Crabbe Hole Cafe" on pool level. (Andrew has the best coffee in Bondi, no contest. The food is good for you, scarey 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. Even Tex did it and everyone knows what a pussy he is. (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.

Waiting for Spring

At last some warm weather, 27ºC at the pool last Saturday. We've been spoilt down at Bondi the last few winters. It's a shock to have that much cold, miserable, weather, huge seas and water temp as low as 14ºC. It was novel having the waves breaking over the pool the first few days but then it became boring. For 7 weeks boring.
"Is the pool closed?"
"Yes."
6ft of whitewater breaks over the side, wiping out both pools.
"But I've come all the way from Balmain!"
"What? You've come all the way from Balmain to die, couldn't you have just slashed your wrists at home?"
Nuts.
If you're wondering where the sand from the beach has gone, swim the Bay. The underwater topography has changed remarkably. In May/early June, about 30 metres off the Bergs, you could stand on sand, chest deep, at low tide. It's now around 20ft deep on a rock bottom. The south end bank extends much further out, as do all the banks up the beach and the gutters are deeper and narrower. It will be a busy summer for Lifeguards and Lifesavers this year. The south end and backpackers express are working a treat at low tide, you've been warned.
Swam Tamarama - Bronte last weekend and it's much the same. The wave zone is much broader. The reef in front of "the Twins" is totally exposed with a deep chanel along the edge. Bronte Reef is all reef i.e., no sand. The Blackfish love it.
Water clarity was the best I've seen in a long time. Been swimming with goggles that have clear, wider screen, lenses (by v. popular brand). Surprised that the full sun doesn't bother me and for what you see under water it's worth the change.
Anybody still wanting an Orca wetsuit, they are 40% off at Pursuit Sports to all.

Flipper and Friends

Last friday we had another interesting marine visitor to the waters just off the Bondi Icebergs. A small (less than 1 metre) shark, that looked to be feeding along the surface, probably salmon but there has been such an abundance of fish around the bay, it could have been many things. In the calm conditions we had quite a good look at it as it was around for 10 minutes or so.
The Whales are going past in groups now, with a group of four close in on Monday.
Sunday was a huge day at the 'Bergs. Fantastic weather once again saw a big turnout of swimmers. Those who came early, or on time, were treated to an amazing display of dolphins attacking a huge school of salmon mid-bay. These visits are happening on a quite regular basis and after describing the scene to so many people, it was tremendous that so many members were able to see it for themselves.
Sunday afternoon saw the "Lilac Swim" for cancer research with an excellent turn out. Shannon O'Brien and his team putting in a great effort and a credit to them that the event runs so smoothly. The Icebergs team winning the day once again but the real winners were of course, this worthy cause and all the participants.
All users of the pool should note that squads are still on. I did 2 this week and it was marvelous to see so many turn up, especially in new wetsuits bought with a discount on their Iceberg membership. Great camaraderie in these squads and I think all agree they would much rather be swimming at the 'Bergs. Get into it. (For times see bondifit.com.au).
Finally being a Tamarama SLSC member I'd like all ‘Bergs to take the opportunity this Sunday to congratulate Bruce "Flipper" Connelly for his extraordinary achievement of managing to turn the Tamarama IRB upside down on no less than 3 occasions in the last 12 months. You're an inspiration Flipper! (Rumours that Bruce is sponsored by Yamaha Marine are scurrilous, however, I am told that Tamarama is looking to replace the IRB's with submersibles for next season.)

Get a Wetsuit & Keep Swimming

What a terrific month May has been at Bondi. The weather has been sparkling, underwater visibility in the bay is extraordinary, as is the amount of sea life. Swam the bay today and went over two schools of salmon, one at each end of the beach. The first whales have been spotted heading north and the Icebergs has Coopers on Tap. Also, ask Greg when is he putting Lamb Cutlets on the specials again, yum-o. Does life get any better?
The pool has been looking tropical and the temperature has begun to drop (as predicted it would) in these last couple of weeks. Why? It’s always the overnight temps combined with cool offshore westerlies that do it. The pool, being a small body of water, once we bring in the fresh water from the ocean, loses heat rapidly in these conditions.
However, you no longer have that “I can’t swim in the cold” excuse dear member. A deal’s been done. Members of the Bondi Icebergs can now show their card at "Pursuit Sports" in Gould St (just around the corner from Curlewis St) and get a whooping 25% discount off the retail price of an Orca Wetsuit. This puts the base model at $261- an absolute bargain. I have an earlier model of this suit and it’s going into its third winter season of major useage. Be warned however, while the shop has plenty of stock now, but these prices are limited to what's in store, i.e., once sold, the prices will go up on new stock.
So there is no excuse now not to swim, my ocean group continues through winter and as a result, this year’s boardies will fit next spring. Best of all, you don’t have to swim in heated, filthy %$#@*&^ chlorinated pools. (Recent study proved conclusively that workers at indoor pools suffer higher levels of respiratory tract infections...what a surprise).
No, you can’t wear it in the Sunday races, why? Because it’s the Icebergs you idiot!
So get a wetsuit and get into it. Do squad, get a coach in your life and get that stroke corrected for next summer (bondifit.com.au). Swimming in winter is way COOL and in a wetsuit, you’ll be HOT!