.

The 2016 Mollymook Ocean Swim Classic

Race report and photography, courtesy of Billy R.

.

A perfect day for ocean swimming: Sunday treated the 2016 Mollymook swim to a picture perfect Autumn morning. We were greeted to a beautiful crystal clear, sparkling ocean panorama basking away in the glorious morning sunshine . ‘How fortunate we are indeed’.

Our wonderful helpers

.

Volunteers

One of the Mollymook surf clubs greatest strengths, is its volunteers. They provide an enormous service. Watermelon at the conclusion of the race for the competitors and the BBQ van for competitors and spectators.

The watermelon girls did a superb job as always and the BBQ van was flat out keeping the hungry hordes at bay, with the ever reliable and invaluable work of Janice B assisted by Alison and Sara proving their worth.

***************************

Mollymook verses Cronulla

.

A wonderful photo of the superbly fit, elite and bronzed Mollymook swimmers ready to strut their stuff and a group photo of the enemy, the Cronulla contingent, ready and primed to do battle against us.

***************************

Let the race begin

.

An awesome sight of well over 200 ocean swimmers set off on the 2 Km race. It was every man and woman for themselves as they powered through the shore break, thrashing away and churning the once smooth waters into a maelstrom as they began stroke for stroke heading out to sea into deeper waters and onto the distant finish line with eyes fixed on the nearest swimmer intent on getting the upper hand.     

The winner by the barest of margins in the run up the beach was Michael Fagerstrom  from Tom Montgomery.   

(To enlarge photos, click on the first photo and thereafter click on the forward arrow below each photo)

***************************

Crossing the finish line.

.

Keith Purvis our No 1 Mollymook ocean swimmer finished in 2nd place in his age group and 6th overall. A superb effort, looking as fresh at the finish as he did at the start.

Crocko, looks at his watch and realises ‘Crikey’ I’m still on day light saving time.

Isabel was our 1st place-getter in the over 70’s female group.

Note she beat most of the Mollymook blokes home, who we are told expressed excuses such as: “I was caught in a strong undertow”, “Damn that asthma attack”, “I completely lost direction”; I mean fair dinkum you blokes, enough is enough!! You got ‘done like a dinner’ by the oldest female in the race.

***************************

The tail of the field arrive home, safe & sound

 

.

Poor old Ray, he ended up quite numb from the pounding of everyone swimming over the top of him. “Hope I’ve still got my cozies on, I can’t feel a thing” he was overheard saying on his approach to the finish line.

Jan as chief water Safety Marshall finished at the rear end of the field in a time of well over one hour and missed the water melon girls. Truth be known, it was quite an amazing time considering she rounded up the orange buoys three times thinking they were a group of swimmers lost. Spec-savers Jan. Spec-savers.

.

Isabel our 1st place-getter in the over 70’s female group inquired where were 2nd and 3rd? She was told “you’re it, the others are home knitting or making scones”.

***************************

.