Favourite Swims - South West Rocks 2.8km

Located to the northeast of Kempsey, South West Rocks on the mid-north coast of New South Wales is host to one of the best swims of the NSW ocean swim season. The Gaol Break swim is held in Trial Bay, a north-facing bay that exudes blue skies, crystal clear waters and beautiful fine-sandy beaches. Waves entering the bay from the south-east are refracted by the man-made breakwater beneath the gaol, making the pattern of waves look like a giant mollusc.

The swim commences at the eastern end of the bay, near Arakoon. You have a bit of a wait whilst swimmers are transported to the start, but then you can make good a bit of chatter with fellow ocean swimmers.

The start is a deep water start, testing the starters ability to hold the starting line and rope in place. You are then off swimming to the first can. Like all swims, I find my own way, not trusting that everyone is headin in the right direction. If you read the ripplemarks on the sea bed, you soon release their crest are parallel to the shoreline and give you a line to follow, whilst occasionally glancing to keep the cans in check. As you make progress across the bay, the Norfolk Pines adorning the headland behing the surf club give you an easy line of sight towards the last turning can. you then turn towards the beach - it seems like a bit of a hike in, and on good days, there could well be a wave to ride in. As you cross the line, you are treated to being identified as you cross the line. After that, it's ice-cream coffee or whatever takes you fancy.

The swim is organised by South West Rocks SLSC and is a must do swim. Must do!!

Favourite Swims - Across the Lake Swim 3.8km

Swimming across Lake Macquarie might seem like a bit of a pushover. However, this swim is 3.8km in a straight line from Coal Point to the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club. Might not seem like much of an issue but try and look in the distance for 3.8km when your eyes are at water level - not easy with few landmarks and usually the sun in your eyes.

The ferry trip across to the start is a relaxing 20 mins. You jump ship, into the water when the tide is too low for a jetty exit, and within a short space of time, you are treading water waiting for the countdown from the local dignatory. The younger swimmers go off first and a few minutes later, everybody else follows. At the start, you break into some freewater to find your space and it's then that the challenge begins. There are tides, occasional currents, and in some worse-weather years, white caps. That's where the challenge lies. To swim as straight as possible whilst contending with the subtle movement of water that will push you off course.

Tall blue or green cans mark the course. Mates and relatives guide swimmers in kayaks and an assortment of craft. If you skirt the cans, and keep an eye on the craft, you will mostly be swimming straight. With a few k's to go, you sight the turquoise exterior of the 16ft sailing club; you then veer ever so slightly to the right where you eventually sight the sails of boats being readied for a day on the water adjacent to the finish. As you come in to the last few hundred metres, the lake gets shallower and you get closer to you point of reference. You seem like you are moving faster, and then your are done. The volunteers pass you a bottle of Powerade. You look around to see if your mates have finished, else you look out for them crossing the line.

For me, the challenge of this swim is maintaining a steady pace and not straying off course; putting it in for the last 1km and then the wait for the results; did I beat last year's time? In 2009, this was my 5th time at this event and definitely not my last! The swim is organised by the Swansea Belmont SLSC.

Coal Petrologist to his Love

Black lump of coal
behind your sensuous shining face
lie mysteries
the mind of man can scarce imagine

Come - Let me hold you now,
and like a woman
by desire aroused

One kiss of flame
and you shall be consumed

and I will be alone - black lump of coal

from The Australian Geologist No. 48, March 1984.