By Pam Lawrence
There are no rules for being a member of Swimmin Wimmin Noosa
You don’t even have to be female!
Although mostly female, mostly senior retirees, we happily enjoy the company of some brave male swimmers who don’t mind wearing a pink cap, younger members, young mums, and the occasional visiting grandchildren.
We have even had some babies born to our members and we all claim honorary grandma rights
as their mums return and the babes embrace the beach lifestyle.
Our name was chosen as a bit of fun, because along with a love of swimming we enjoy good company and social coffee afterwards.
The group was originally formed around 2007, when a few of the members of Senior Swim Squads at the Noosa Aquatic Centre mentioned to myself that they would like to join me at the Ocean in between our three squad days, but had no experience in Ocean Swimming.
As a former Surfboard rider and lifelong ocean swimmer, I had more experience with reading the conditions and the girls although a little nervous at first were fast learners, and being swim fit from squad they soon became very competent.
We were a small group for a number of years.
As time went by and more people were enjoying Noosa and the Ocean the group gradually became larger. We are often joined by tourists on holiday, and it is an informal friendly group.
Saturday is our busiest day and it is a sight often commented on by visitors when around thirty swimmers in pink hats take to the sea. Sometimes the group splits according to ability and conditions, so the distance may be from 750metres up to four k. Options to The Groyne from First Point return, down to the Rivermouth return, or out to National Park, Boiling Pot, and occasionally Teatree.
Some like to Bodysurf at the end of the swim. We have shared the water at times with Stingrays, Dolphins, Turtles and the occasional Shark, so far without injury, but with great enjoyment.
We have a little tradition when someone has their first swim to Boiling Pot, we do a circle of friends around them with three cheers often to the amusement of tourists at the lookout.
2020 like everywhere has been very different for our group. We were blessed to be able to continue Ocean Swimming through Lockdown, by following the rules. For that period of time we swam every day with the Aquatic centre closed, and were meeting and swimming in pairs.
The precious pink hats were packed away at that time to respect the no group activity requirement.
A number of the group as always swim right throughout winter, mostly wetsuit clad,
whilst others come and go with local travel activities, injuries etc. disrupting their time,
but always keen to return.
With squad at the Nac now well back on track we continue to meet each Tuesday Thursday and Saturday at 7.30 in front of The Lifeguard tower on Main Beach.
New swimmers are always welcome if for safety’s sake they are able to achieve the minimum distance and varying conditions.
