i'm actually a swimmer now and will be doing all the ocean swims,i'll get a CR hat and some other gear,if anyone sees me come up and say g'day-brizza

Yep, me and my hubby are planning on getting into this. We did a few at the end of the season and we are now hooked! A lot of people from our swim squad do ocean swims also so I'm looking forward to doing this and having some familiar faces around.

Brizza. Coming from Melbourne, I intend to travel up again for the Bridge to Manly swim. From memory, it was the day after Six Foot last summer. I'm in Sydney [Sutherland] for the Monday holiday [Oct 1st]....where's the best venue for some open water training? Cronulla?

Any hints on where I could find a calendar of events?

www.oceanswims.com follow the link to NSW

hi kevin,i'm planning on competing in thebridge to manly and have done my first long swims,cronulla is agreat place to swim,there are groups and individuals swimming out from the surf club area(cronulla surf club) all morning from early so your not out there all by yourself-i can drive myself crazy imagining all the things just out of sight-the funny thing is that when i see a shark,stingray or some other big thing i'm actually quite excited-anyway-bondi is the most active beach for swimming,literally hundreds of people swim the bay every day.The temp is 17.3 so still a bit chilly if you are in for more than afew k's,maybe i'll see you when you are up-pm me nearer the time.another good website is www.ingenuim.com.au-briz

The "big swim" 2.7km from palm beach to whale beach looks awesome - see the link on www.oceanswims.com - it's on 27/01/08. I've been wanting to do it the last couple of years and haven't for one reason or another. For x-training I usually build up to about 60 laps of the north narrabeen salt pool during summer - it's not too bad at sunrise or sunset.

I did the Bondi 2 Bronte and Coogee Island swim last year, and really enjoyed them. PLanning on doing some more this year.

Monday morning at Cronulla sound great. I have to fit in with a few others and we will hopefully be celebrating a premiership win by the Melbourne Storm the previous night!!!!

The water bottomed out at 6 degrees down here in July [up around 10.5 now] so 17.3 sounds positively tropical!

The Palm Beach to Whale beach is well organised- good fundraiser for the local surf clubs and Whale Beach mob put on a good bbq. I haven't raced this one for years but have heard it is all pretty much the same.
I often swim a couple of laps of Bondi- point to point.


Arms

Hi Brizza,

If you want to venture up north a bit you should check out the Newcastle Harbour swim on Australia Day (1.4km) and the cross Lake Macquarie Swim (3.8km).

Here are some links:

http://www.newcastleharbourswim.net/
http://www.swanseabelmontslsc.com/content/view/12/11/

Cheers,

Danny

Yes there are lots of ocean swimmers around Sydney.

I have even heard a rumour that Jeanette Howard was keen to smear herself in pig fat and plunge into the icy pools at the Bondi Icebergs before a spot of Italian Seafood with the other ladies from the APEC.

They cleared the area for fear of Australia's first lady doing an indecent exposure...

It had nothing to do with security risks.

the pool was supposed to be open while the spouses were in the restuarant,we were told the previuos week to expect to have id checks,i heard that with no notice the change rooms were locked and the decks cleared,no reason given either,i wasn't there but i thought that one one the spouses felt like a bit of a walk and everyone was booted out,there happened to be people in the change rooms who got locked in,all the locals as far as i know pissed off and left them to it all sunday,i did-briz

i'm getting excited,i did a seven k swim on the weekend and a time trial two ks during the week in 26.45 yeeehaa

I just joined my local ocean swims clubs - cool bananas - first swim tomorrow from bundeena to burraneer and back.

Calendar here:
http://bundeenainfo.com/files/other/hhsc-2007-calendar.pdf

All swims are free - very fat ass style:

Did anyone do the coogee swim yesterday? I did it in 50mn, not very fast but still 10mn faster than last year. Still have to work on my navigational skills...

I will be at the Bondi to Bronte next week.

i was looking around for you,i did well,34mins 25secs and won my age by about two minutes,i'm a bit nervous about next week as it is a jinxed race for me,last year i got kicked in the cajonies at the start the year before that i had to rescue a guy and take him back to the beach through the surf.there is no rush with the wettie,i'm glad it worked out well at noosa-briz

I am planning to either do the 2k swim at Nth Curl Curl this weekend or the three points challenge

Website here

the 3 points challenge looks awesome - if I could run that far or swim that far i would definitely sign up!

I'm all signed up for the 3 points challenge 10 am this Saturday. Fantastic event (organised by my local surf club!)
You can run that far! All up it's a 6.5 km run with three swims to break it up. Start with a 400meter swim at North Curly, run to South Curly, swim 300 metres, run to Freshwater and do a 200 meter swim then run back to North Curl Curl for a BBQ
The 2km swim starts at 9am. Some guys do both events.
Book in. Great morning.

I would love to - but I am only allowed to run 20 mins at the moment - 25 next week! Unfortunately that is more like 3.5 than 6.5k for me! I could walk I guess - but I don't want to come last!

Think of it as 3 runs, all less than 25 minutes. C'mon, you've got a legal mind. You've just got to 'think the technicalities'...

i like it!! although the 3.5k one alone might test the boundaries...

Sign up for it. We are THE most friendly club and you will always do a PB (this year!!) There are plenty of people enjoying the last leg together, walking the last 3.5. Come on.....

Come on Ellie, fire up! Who listens to doctors anyway?

I bit the bullet and booked in for the 2km swim and the 3-points challenge. On reflection I'm thinking that was kind of crazy... but it was only 10 bucks more for both and I can't resist a good deal!

Hopefully see you other guys (Seris and Hamburglar) there tomorrow morning.

Im planning on doing the bridge to Manly swim next year.

My friend at work hassled me to enter it with him.

It will be interesting to see if we can swim that far.

Does anyone have any advice on how far we should be swimming each week leading up to this?

bridge to manly sounds really cool - 11km, that's just crazy enough to be possible. the only downside is that its on six foot weekend so I can't do it, but it would be a neat double - six foot saturday then 11km swim sunday. mmmmmm

would you wear a wetsuit - would anyone do it without ?

Looking at previous years photos it seems that most people don't wear wetsuits.

On the website it says that you are allowed to wear a wetsuit but if you do you will be ineligible for any prizes.

I am wearing one because I want all help I can get and unless they give a prize for 40th in my age group the prize rules should not be an issue

I did the Nth Curl Curl 2k swim today and it was one of the hardest 50 minutes and 3 secs I have spent exercising... but I had a ball!

Whilst the surf wasn't big it was windy and choppy making swimming and navigation extremely difficult. On a number of occasions I didn't think I would make it, but was extremely satified to have made it back to shore alive.

The three point challenge afterwards looked like a lot of fun and I will definitely do the double next year.

i am dead serious about the bridge to beach,i built up to 2 one hour swims at 15min ks pace for a fortnight then went back strength and speed work plus swimming most mornings as well,after chrissy i will do all the tennish k swims i can find plus all the other races,then back to one to two hour swims again for a week or so.i don't know what my weekly mileage is as i do everything on feel and against the watch,so if i am knackered i miss a session or two then back to work,noone seems to know how to prepare for these swims so i am treating it like a marathon with a slowly progressing speed and distance programme with a lot of speed and power work as well,see you guys there-briz

Hey Hamburglar, that was a tough one wasn't it? Standing on the beach before the start, shivering in the wind and looking at the chop made me think "What the hell am I doing this for?" I couldn't believe how warm and clear the water was though!

I had booked in for the three points challenge afterwards but as I went to get my shoes for the race, my wife pointed out to me that I was shivering uncontrollably, my eyes were wild and uncomprehending and my lips and fingernails had turned blue. I was kind of keen to still do it, but on further reflection my body seemed to be in some sort of shutdown so I thought I might be better off giving it a miss. Pity, I’ll definitely have to try again next year.

Well done to Hamburlglar and Race Mike Race for doing the Curl Curl swim on saturday. To quote George Kostanza - "the sea - she was angry that day my friends".

I did the 3 points challenge and without a doubt the toughest event on saturday was the '2km' swim. Not big but just one big washing machine - windy and choppy, hats off for finishing - it looked like really hard work.

As for the 3 points race what a great concept, a challenging but manageable course and really great fun.

I arrived to see lots of white caps and having not swam in the ocean since last summer I knew that I was going to struggle. I got hammered in the crowd and chop on the first swim, but once that was over I found some rythym in the run and was able to find some open water in the next 2 swim legs. The South Curl Curl swim made North Curl Curl look like it was on the delicate cycle but a lot easier with room in the water. I got absolutley drilled after catching a good wave back in at Sth Curly (great fun!). Then run over to freshwater along the new boardwalk that was over before you knew it. The 3rd swim was nice and protected. I managed to jag another wave back in and then finish with a solid run back to North Curly.

If you are a runner who does a bit of swimming (or visa-versa) and after something a bit different this event will really appeal. None of the swims are desparately far and exceptionally well marshalled with paddleboards, irbs and jetskis everywhere in the swim. You feel extremely safe.

Definitely back for next year, well done to North Curl Curl Surf Club for putting on such a well organised and friendly event!

I did this swim the last two years and although wetsuits are allowed, they were certainly in the small minority. Personally, I think wearing wetsuits is cheating. The advantage is 15 to 20 percent and that isn't even taking into consideration the energy you save by not having to fight the colder water. However, the water last year was 20 derees which is comfortably warm.

You don't take the elevator to the summit of Everest and you don't do the Tour De France on a motorbike.....so how do you "swim" in a wetsuit?

All being well, I'll be making the trip north again for what is an incredible experience. And now that John Howard has moved out, I guess we can give Kevvy Rudd a wave as we swim past Kirribili House!

Ah dunno bout "cheating" and "15 to 20%" advantage. In answer to your question "how do you 'swim' in a wetsuit?" - um not very well, as the weight on the shoulders and arms is pretty unbearable.

Well done those finishers in the N Curly challenge. I attempted the 2k ocean swim for my virgin competition swim but piked out at the 1st buoy - I'd swallowed too much water in the chop and was not enjoying myself. The rubber duckie taxi gave me a great lift back into shore - thank you organisers.

I made up for it at the Bilgola 1.5k swim last weekend - 26.19 in a bit of swell and rip - good organisation and support again. Hope to do the Long Reef if I can shake this little flu I've just picked up.

Grinners, do some experimenting with and without your rubber floatation device and take a calculator. You'll get a hell of a surprise. I did and found these figures to be quite accurate. They are also quoted amongst various hard-core open water swimming groups.

They are certainly banned from official open water competition.

If I fill up on steroids and improve by 20%, is that cheating?

Thinking of doing Avoca Beach Ocean Swim (2.5km) on Sunday hopefully not too rough.

http://www.oceanswims.com/nsw78/avoca07.html

KC, exactly what type of "wetsuit" are you talking about? Surfing-type wetsuits are heavy and drag like buggers, but they would keep you warm in a long cold swim. The "ironman" wetsuits, and I don't want to brand advertise, put out triathlon type "wetsuits" with buoyancy characteristics (making them illegal for open water comp) but also "swimskins" with no buoyancy that are legal - do some research and take a pick!

BTW - lay off the steroids dude, it doesn't do your figure or complexion any good.

BTW2 - Say g'day to Kevin for me too - SO LONG WORKCHOICES!

He's probably busy at his Kyoto meeting

Ok, you've flushed me out. I initially investigated these things cos I get bad rash in ocean swims. I chose a "swimskin" cos they ARE legal - viz not a "wetsuit", no buoyancy, no warmth factor and not one of the brands you mentioned. I was pleasantly surprised when it gave about 5% improvement on total time for 2.5k swim. I won't be trying anything else. I AM a happy camper.

Shall we see you at the Bridge to Manly?

Aw geez, 11k is along way for a dip KC - bueno vistas though! I'll save those for the SMH 1/2 mara in May. No sorry, the Palm/Whale and maybe the D.Y. aquathon will be my last swims for the summer and by February I hope that my stress fracture is good and I'll be back crunching the road (where the air is not so salty) to tackle a full marathon sometime in 08.... Best of luck!!!

http://www.oceanswims.com/nsw78/nsw78.html

Just looked at the calendar. There are quite a few coming up over the next days, weeks and months in Sydney.

I saw for non ocean swimmers there a couple coming up at the Sydney International Regatte Centre at Penrith. Good practice getting used to swimming without lanes before going out into the ocean.

I have been checking the internet for prescription swimming goggles. I found it interesting that you should get to quote Always move DOWN to the closest step dioptre! If calculation of your prescription shows that you should have a -2.75 (step dioptre lens) then you should choose a -2.5 lens for the swimming goggles. This causes less strain and you will be unlikely to notice any significant loss of acuity within a reasonable distance. There is also a slight magnifying effect when underwater.

Best of luck for people doing the summer swims.

Thanks Thomo!

I'm doing the roughwater at Bondi in a few hours, with the swell there is at the moment, it should be interesting...

Good Luck Will. Hope your Ironman training is going well.

I was planning on doing the Curl Curl to Freshwater swim this morning, but pulled out due to wanting to not drown. I am not sure if it still went ahead though.

nah cancelled eh! conditions were compared to being in a big washing machine in full cycle on the back of a cattle truck.

warriewood to mona vale was good fun on sunday - bit of a Nor Easterly swell and chop that made it more challenging. oh and a BIG cheerio to those local surfers who felt compelled to terrorise the break as 500 odd punters came in. I mean sheesh, what do they do for brains?!?

Hi All

A286 Rules and myself have officially entered the Bridge to Manly this week. Currently deciding whether to wear my beloved wetsuit or not for the race. Originally I thought that the only way I could possibly do that distance was with the help of my wetty.

After 5 weeks of solid training I am starting to think I might be able to do it without. All of the arguments of about wetsuits being cheating fall on deaf ears with me as I would wear flippers and a snorkel too if I thought I needed them

Were doing the Lake Macquarie swim next week just for an excuse to race each other.

Hope to see some of you at Lake Macquarie next week or at the bridge to Manly in March

Kirko

Kirko needs the wettie to hide the pink bikini he secretly wears underneath.

..well then I don't think anyone will be game to call that cheating, particularly if it's a mankini!

Some news for anyone doing the Bridge to Beach Sunday week

I was having a look at the upcoming tides today and realised we will be swimming against an incoming tide for the first 3 hours.

That should make it an even longer day for us