Mollymook Swimmers compete in ‘Wedding Cake’ Island Ocean Swim – 2003
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The trip: A small contingent of 4 leave early in the morning to compete in the Wedding Cake Island swim at Coogee. The group comprised the original 3 ‘fore-mothers’ Jan, Simone and Kim accompanied by the young reporter. The latter who had had a sheltered up-bringing became exposed to 3 very worldly ladies who played the loudest most appalling music throughout the trip and they spoke non stop for the whole trip at 10 or more decibels above the loud music.
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The “Express Glass Island Challenge” race results: 1st was Grant Cleland in a time of 28:46.8 with Josh Santacaterin only 2 seconds behind in 2nd place for the 2 km swim.
Mollymook representatives followed with the young reporter in 227th place (badly distressed following the arduous trip up), Simone placed 475, Jan placed 524 arriving at the finish line just as the presentation finished.
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The wash up: a) Noticed that Kim was not listed in the official placings. (b) Complaints were aired of nobbling taking place during the race. (c) Conditions were bumpy and very choppy out beyond the Island.
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Post race activities: The young reporter was not one for frequenting hotels and was taken back a little when the girls advise we were off to the Coogee Bay Hotel for lunch. Later that afternoon the girls advised our next activity was a “skinny dip” at a popular bay near Clovelly. On arrival he observed a lot of people in the bay, some were snorkeling and others diving. To the young reporters relief, they were fully clad with swim wear. The trip home was quiet subdued.
Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla
Continue for images, courtesy oceanswim.com.
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The young reporter thought it was Hollywood
The elite off first
The 2nd wave
Before he got nobbled at the turning buoys