One Sunday in November 2013.
High tide, but also rain and chill wind. Swimmers from Cronulla made a guest appearance at this meet, and set a high standard of speed and good cheer.
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| A little bit of winter never stops a competitive swimmer |
Races are underway.
It is warmer in the water than out, as a wind chill factor comes into play.
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| Between swims, we wrap up |
The races continue, despite the chattering of teeth.
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Relay swimmers waiting on the pontoon for their turn to hit the water.
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| Some informal handicapping |
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| The race continues |
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| The final leg of the relay |
The winning team powers to the finish line. And yes: Cronulla wins.
We treat our Cronulla guests to another of our distinctive races: Around the Baths (about 800m) or The Kilometre (about 1km).
The Kilometre is an informal measurement, being around the baths once plus the distance along the net end to end.
So, you start at other end of the pool, swim along the net, then take a hard right at the starting blocks. Continue on, swimming a full circle around the pool and back to the starting end.
Those doing The Kilometre must walk down to the other end of the pool - and a very pretty bush walk it is - for the starting position, which is quite informal, and anywhere in the mud will do. The starter, who is standing on the shore, signals the start of the race by dropping a white flag.
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| Swimmers readying for The Kilometre |
Those who do not swim hold the stop watches.
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| Time keepers |
The Kilometre can be tough, and is a measure of personal achievement. It is - by no means - a spectator sport.
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| The Kilometre race in progress |
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| Rounding the buoy and then off to swim a full circle of the baths. |
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| A first to finish The Kilometre |
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| Another fast finisher. |
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| Fit people, eh? |
Congratulations to Cronulla: winners of the relay trophy for 2013
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| Cronulla wins the relay trophy for 2013. |
