Tathra Wharf To Waves Swim - 27 January 2002

Sunday the 27th January had finally arrived and with it the Inaugural Tathra Wharf to Waves. One could not have asked for a better day as the sun was shining and there was hardly a cloud in the sky, a great day for a swim in the surf. On arriving at the Tathra Surf Club I proceeded to the 1200 m registration area where I was marked off the role, given a swim cap and tattooed with my race number. They tell me that they mark the arm and the leg so that they know which limbs belong to which body if they happen to come across them in the water! Once I had registered I waited for the rest of our small contingent of swimmers to arrive, that being Steve Walker before venturing outside.

Once outside we listened to all the chatter happening around us as we waited for our race instruction. Many people were stressing out about the possibility of sharks on point of entry but as there were 4 rubber ducks, several board paddlers and the coast watch plane circling overhead I felt reassured that we were in safe hands, although there were quite a lot of people enticing the sharks by fishing from the wharf. As I had been down the day before to enter I had found out that the water temperature was a chilly 18 degrees so was not looking forward to the time when we had to enter the water. Steve at this stage was wondering what he was thinking when entering this event and was it too late to withdraw.

Being brave or foolish, I'm not sure which one, we decided that we may as well take up the challenge. We surveyed the course from the beach which looked a bloody long way from one orange buoy to the other, but decided after much discussion that we would survive. After waiting about 45 minutes it was finally our turn to board the bus. Steve, thinking about the 18 degree water temperature was already forming goose bumps. I offered to off load some of my excess body fat to him which he thought would be a good idea as long as he could return it at the end of the race. I informed him that it was non-returnable. I reassured him that the colder he was before entering the water the warmer the water should feel, but this was no consolation. Once on the bus we were transported up the hill to the Tathra Wharf where we would be commencing the race.

Finally we arrived at the wharf, where we were given our final instructions and shown over the course for the very last time, it didn't look quite as far from the wharf as it did from the beach, "whew". Steve's goose bumps were multiplying by the dozen and he hoped that he would make it to the finish line without turning blue. I'm happy to say that he made it and didn't require the services of the medical crew or their thermal blanket.

The time had come to brave the cold. We approached the stairs leading down to the make shift platform where we were ushered down five at a time, careful to duck at the bottom to avoid brain damage from an overhead beam. With knees knocking and teeth chattering we surveyed the one and a half metre drop down into the artic waters below. After much thought we finally took the plunge into the water only to resurface extremely quickly to say "Oh shit its freezing". Steve had the best idea which was to be one of the last to enter the water. With arms and legs moving this way and that to keep warm, and our teeth still chattering we waited for the hooter.

Finally after what seemed like a lifetime the hooter was sounded and we were off. With arms and legs entangled we tried not to drown in the commotion. There was quite a big swell which made swimming quite hard, although anything would be hard compared to the safety of our swimming pool and the waveless lane ropes. It seemed to take an awfully long time for us to reach the first turning buoy, but from there the race progressed quite quickly. Unfortunately I was unable to catch a wave in so had to swim the whole way, I think a body surfing clinic is in order. Totally tired and exhausted and hardly able to stand we staggered over the finish line, thankful that the race was over. I think the 600 metre event will be far enough next year!

Although we didn't place in the top 3 we are happy to say we survived and are here to tell our tale. We only hope that we see more of our AUSSI Viking swimmers there next year.

Report by Annette Britten