Winner of Ron Coombs trophy 2016

Congratulations to Nick, winner of Ron Coombs trophy 2016

Oatley baths - an oil painting

An oil painting of Oatley Baths by a member of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club.

When we were young: group photos from 1985-86

Anyone you know?  Click on photo to enlarge. 

Oatley baths in the era of black and white photos

Thanks to Michelle Corbin for sharing this photo of Oatley Baths from 1920s

In his younger days, Ray drew up the race schedule for the summer, setting a time for the Sunday races as dictated by the high tide.  We arranged our summer Sundays around these race meetings, so Ray would be in trouble if he misread the tide charts.  Perhaps he did - nothing has been documented, but this cartoon - with Ray's name superimposed into the caption - has something to say...

Swimmers in the sunlight

Ready for the swim around the baths (and yes, you can use flippers)

Taking to the air

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 The relay swimming race sets the scene for this series of diving photos.  As swimmers race to complete the final leg of the relay, they dive from the pontoon in the middle of the baths and fly out over the water.

A dive is a thing of beauty.

A dive is a commitment.  There's no going back.

And diving has always been with us.  Here's a Greek fresco dated 470BC: Diver, Paestum, Italy.

Diver, Paestum, Italy

Diver, Oatley Baths, Australia

Diver: Harold Belcher.

Oatley wins the 2016 Harold Belcher trophy

The Harold Belcher trophy winners

Congratulations to our relay team, winners of the Harold Belcher trophy, lead by Emily, with help from Martin, Kim, Mal and Johnny K. 

We were joined on our relay day by Cronulla and water polo swimmers - on land, as seen in pic below... 

and in flight...