collaroy, nov 13, 2011
Back to the 'roy... where bottoms are tops!
Collaroy Centennial Swim, Sunday, November 13, 2011
 Lovely day at Collaroy, and what a revelation was "the bottom". Sure, there were some very noice bottoms that we passed, and which passed us, but particularly the one way down below. Looking out from the beach, Collaroy -- "the 'roy", as Judy Playfair refers to it, a beach where her family was instrumental in setting up the surf club 100 years ago -- looked a bland swim. A champagne glass course, keeping it simple.
Glistening Dave's ocean swims calendar 2012 is available for order now, in time for Xmas... click here
The organising club, led by former explosive Tigers centre Denis Bendall, didn't want too many complications. But what a discovery once you're in the water! The bottom was myriad reefs, sub-reefs, patches of weed and, consequently, sea life. Big rays, little rays, wobbies sitting on the bottom, and a pod of dolphins swimming through the peloton mid-race, Bendall reported afterwards, although no swimmer we consulted actually saw them. Pity. Also a noice touch that Collaroy sent the duffers off first, and awarded the duffers' prizes first. A smallish swim -- around 370 entrants -- can get away with this, as could a swim with a very long first reach (before the first sharp turn), whereas a larger swim might not, for all the chaos that might ensue as the testosteronish younger bucks swept through from behind to overwhelm the duffers and their wide-arm surf strokes. It made for a quicker swim overall. Byron Bay does this, too, but they have a single turn before a very, very long reach. And they hold the speedy bucks back quite a while, providing a long break before the overwhelming issue kicks in. It was a noice touch. About time some deferred to us.
The 'roy was a luvverly day out, an excellent first up swim, and well worth the trip. And a top effort by Bendall and his cobbers for their first time swim. Who'd a thunk it from a Tiger?
Next year's Collaroy swim is November 11. Here's how Glistening Dave saw the 'roy swim...
Click on Thumbs For larger size shots and Click on Page Number For more shots And here's how we saw it...
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Credits  Pics by Glistening Dave (@glistenrr on Twitter) and oceanswims.com (@oceanswims).
oceanswims.com uses Olympus cameras, this time the Tough 810 and PEN E-P1. Our thanks to our favourite ocean swimming brewer, Chuck Hahn, for the James Squire Award.
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