November 29th was the second last day of Spring, and the day that a great Summer sport descended on Coogee Beach.

Hundreds of men and women took part in the The Coogee Island Challenge open water swimming event for 2009. This open water swim happened in the early morning and involved competitors covering a distance of over 2000 meters.

The 2009 Coogee Island Challenge was given a shot-point start by Peter Garret, MP and environmentalist. Less welcome guests at the Island Challenge swim were a school of jellyfish, which were floating to greet the swimmers at the end of the race.

Despite the jellyfish, there was no menace of cold waters or unpleasant weather which turned Coogee beach into the perfect setting for a perfect day of open water swimming.

 BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

The prospect of freezing waters did not deter the hundreds of swimmers who took part in the Mona Vale Cold Water Classic Ocean Swim on Sunday 21st June.

There was a notable absence of heat from the sun, and a cold wind was blowing, but the swimmers- many of them aged over 50 years- had no fear for the chilly temperature.

There was an option to wear a wetsuit, but a majority braved the cold, reportedly saying that the chill was a large part of the thrill. While many swimmers opted to wear nothing but a pair of Speedos, many had stated that they had experienced colder waters in their lifetime and that the winds that were felt after exiting the water were the coldest part of the day.

The swim covered the distance from Mona Vale beach right into The Basin. All competitors who were registered to race managed to compete the course, proving that the promised cold temperatures really are no match for determined ocean swimmers.
BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.