As the 2016 winter swimming season draws to a close, with the final swim next Sunday, Father’s Day, the Narooma Numnutz can report another successful and enjoyable year.
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The second last swim on Sunday saw 21 attending, and 18 swam the Apex boat ramp to Bar Beach drift. The water temp 14.5 degrees, while outside it was 12 degrees. Hearty tomato soup was served back at O’Briens afterwards.
Only one swim left, which is this coming Sunday followed by big breakfast and Chase the Ace cards at the pub.
Back to the year in review. Some strong numbers attended all throughout the winter months, with the most spectators and swimmers in total being 34 on a sunny Sunday morning in May, while the lowest turn up saw 16 brave the waters on a chilly July day.
These are the true Winter Swimmers...regardless of the weather, an Antarctic vortex or even an East Coast Low, nothing will stop the real Numnutz - just ask Podge!
Outdoor temperatures ranged from 18 degrees on the warmest morning , down to a low 7 degrees, and even colder with the windchill factor, which makes it even harder to leave that winter doona behind.
Highest water temperature recorded this season was a warm 21 degrees while the lowest was a fresh 13 degrees, and that can put "the numb back in Numnutz!" July is always the month for that!
July also saw the club travel down south to visit "little sister club" the Bermagui Blue Balls and their "cool, cool" waters of Horseshoe Bay. A great time was had by all and thanks again to Gary Pearse and the guys for their warmth and hospitality. Maybe next time we can catch up for that boat race!
And, although it has been talked about for 12 months or more, again it was evident that the Numnutz are still without a team song. Undoubtedly, the boys will work on that during their end-of-season trip away, and come up with something fitting the ‘Numnutz spirit’ and what this club is all about.
Back in home waters, the Numnutz swimmers ventured out through the notorious Narooma Bar on seven occasions, two times with an incoming tide and five on the out.
The outgoing swim course is often the most challenging, with the ‘Nutz’ having to swim out wide around the rocks to avoid the North Wall rip coming out off the beach and any swell coming up as well. Also the outgoing tide brings with it colder water coming down from the upper reaches of Wagonga Inlet, often freezing overnight ! Even so, swimming out through the bar is always a sensational experience.
Another outstanding experience for the season was the second annual Montague Island swim in July. This idea, which was originally thought of by coursemaster Jason Hextel along with media man Stan Gorton, has been a huge success.
There were 31 passengers aboard the charter boat 'Dreamtime' cruising out to the island, where 24 happy swimmers dived into a beautiful warm 19 degree ocean. Brilliant!
All enjoyed the swim, with snacks and drinks back on board afterwards. And all were safely accounted for, thanks again to Norm and Narooma Charters for another fantastic day. And nice work from Jason and Stan for coming up with the idea, and Locko for arranging the boat.
Also coming up with a great idea of his own was "Torpedo Trev" Bennett , who suggested the Numnutz have a swim with a difference – a dive over the local shipwreck remains of the steamship SS Bodalla, sunk near the southern breakwall. A great swim and dive in crystal clear water on a beautiful August morning. Outstanding and all right there at our front doorstep! Well done Trevor.
The Narooma Numnutz "100 Percenters" for 2016 was Chris Black with 100 per cent club swims for the season. Other notables with high participation were Ben Stainer, Graeme Spicer and Tony Bailey only missing one swim, and also Glenn Bywater, Greg Willis, Brent Lockton, Mark Rogerson, Stan Gorton, Pat Melville, Paul O’Brien, Jason Hextel, John Carruthers and Ken Shepherd along with Trevor Bennett, Dawn Henderson, Steve Benic, Pip Thorn, Brendan O’Mahony and Micheal O’Connor while record keeper "Radar Ray" Hirst had a solid turn out again with another 18 out of 18 Sundays at the drinks table. Thanks again Ray . . . best ever !
Also special thanks must go to our major sponsors. Paul O'Brien and O’Brien’s Hotel and Scott Cavanagh and The Raw Prawn Bistro, who make the ‘Numnutz experience’ happen every week and thanks to sponsors Jason Hextel of Jason's Home Repairs and Brent Lockton of Narooma Auto Electrics as well.
Next up the Numnutz hit the road again on their annual end of season trip away, representing our town Narooma at the Australian Winter Swimming Championships, this year in Newcastle where the "Merewether Mackerels" club will be hosting the event.
Each year a different club from around Australia is chosen to host the carnival. Merewether actually has a strong history with winter swimming, having held the very first National Championships way back in 1976! In more recent times the Numnutz have toured to the Gold Coast, Sydney, Wagga Wagga and even Perth.
Planning is also underway for the Club's 10 Year Anniversary celebration next year 2017, with founding member and former president Steve Dobson inviting all Numnutz, past and present to attend this very special event. Dinner, dance and party on at O’Brien’s Hotel. Date to be announced.
Also a reminder that our annual Summer Swim and Christmas Party is fast approaching, Saturday December 10. Starting off with a swim from Narooma Bridge, followed by a Xmas party lunch at O’Brien’s Pub. “Time and Tides” to be advised.