Pic of the south end swim group plus others at the north end totalled approx. 40 ocean swimmers, some did the 2021 ‘length of beach’ 2km swim whilst others did both ways, 4 kms.
Mollymook Ocean Swimmers, annual ‘Length of the beach’ ocean swim, New Year’s day 2021
2021 was welcomed by the Mollymook Ocean swimmers as they met at the beach to undertake their annual ‘length of the beach’ ocean swim. Cloud above and chop in the ocean didn’t prevent this die hard group from enjoying their new year’s day swim with a water temp. of 21c. This is the paradise we remember Mollymook for in bygone years. (That is with the exception of 2020 which was a year, that we will never forget.)
Back in 2020 on New years day we awoke to the destructive / horrendous bush fires that had swept through our area the previous night and were still burning out of control on New Years day. Most had no electricity. Bewilderment and disbelief were just some of the descriptive words used. There was no ‘length of the beach’ idyllic annual swim, as in past years.
(Click on images to enlarge)
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2020 in review: New Year’s Day 2020.
The flames were ferocious, pictures of Garry and his fire fighting Ute, Lekshe and her remains and Lloyd looking at what is left of his & Ruth’s home.
Above pics remind us of the intensity of the flames, Garry fighting the flames with his water tank mounted on his Ute. Elsewhere Lloyd accompanied by Ed were fighting a losing battle as the catastrophic flames engulfed Lloyd and Ruth’s home destroying virtually all their possessions. Lloyd had to encourage Ed for them to both leave, (for Ed was fearless) he just want to stay on and fight the flames that were relentlessly destroying Lloyd and Ruth’s home.
Later Lekshe Losal returned home from a visit to her Mum’s place on the Central Coast to find that she had lost all her meagre possessions as the fire swept through the Myrtle Gully area taking also the life of her dear friend and owner of the property.
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2nd week in January 2020, conditions were on the improve, a nice surf and the ocean, a beautiful colour.
Michaela
Michaela’s dad, Darryl
Mid January 2020, the bush fires had past and we began to regain some form of normality, on this occasion enjoying a jovial night out.
Late January 2020, Katie, sister Vicki, family and friends gathered a huge collection of clothing for whose who had lost everything.
Pics taken January 21, 2020. The ocean swimmers were out enjoying the surf.
Roscoe
Issi
Greg
Tim
February 28, 2020 – Surprise celebration for John and Jacqui celebrating their 70th birthdays.
John and Jacqui celebrating their 70th birthdays
March 8, 2020. Time for the Broulee annual ocean swim.
Mollymook ocean swimmer representatives at the Broulee swim
March 15, 2020. How good is this! Back to normal, a great surf.
Lena uses her time wisely whilst in Australia
Lloyd
Garry
The COVID-19 out break begins to take its toll in NSW
19 March 2020. The Ruby Princess cruise ship discharges 2,700 passengers in Sydney without ensuring that they are COVID free — it is discovered the next day that several passengers had COVID and all passengers are asked to go into self-isolation by the NSW government. By 31 March, at least 440 passengers across Australia had tested positive, with five deaths
20 March 2020. Australia’s borders to all non-residents closed
21 March 2020. Non-essential services and many schools closed from this date.
April 1 and signs were appearing everywhere. STAY AWAY!.
COVID-19 Restrictions – lock down, stay home except for ‘Essential Travel’ and ‘Exercise’.
COVID-19 restrictions were taking effect with only a minimal number of swimmers for exercise, each 1.5 metres apart and less than 10 in the group
Sue, Garry, Tim, Raymond and Chris, each maintaining a safe distance from each other
Swimmers began using their time in different ways during lock-down.
Dick has surgery
Ian in formal wear enjoying a private night for two with Leonie
Kaye provides tips for staying fit during lock-down
Laura continues her marathon training in the back yard pool
Helen provides a video on how to change towels dancing in the nude
Leonie was a great contributor to the daily web posts with poetry etc
Craig and Steph Dougherty at Cape Arid, east of Esperance, nudie swim heaven.
Sue another great contributor to our daily web posts enjoys a special a’ la carte dinner by candle light for two
Peter the Priest provides Easter Sunday church service via zoom.
An almost deserted beach for sunrise on Anzac day morning
Exercise: Length of beach swim maintaining their distance
Benny, Garry, Tony and Ed (Most look as if they are keeping fit during isolation)
May 2020 and the big surf causes some havoc.
Big surf gets the better of Tony
Is this Big D out here in the big surf?
Michelle appears to be drowning in the big surf
Heather takes fright, ‘What should I do?’
Issi battles the white water before disappearing
A foot pops up while Heather is looking for Issi
Ed with the other love of his life, ‘a big wave’
Garry: Should I attempt to ride this wave or just dive under?
Lena’s great love: the surf.
Lena’s injury high up in her thigh
The girls have a farewell dip with Lena before she fly’s the coop.
Lena photos the crowd at Sydney airport prior to her flight back to Germany
Back home Lena goes for a surf in the Netherlands
October 2020. A small contingent of swimmers go west.
November 2020. Elise (the young one in the photo) celebrates her 40 year milestone
December 2020. Laura at the completion of her 20 km ocean swim training with some of her helpers, Kaye, (Mum) Monica, 8 km Garry, 16 km Chris, Sue and 2 km Lloyd.
December Ladies night out: Sue commented “fourteen fabulous girls gather at Bannisters Pool Bar in Mollymook, to celebrate our friendships forged by ocean swimming”.
December 2020 wrap-up: Swimmers Annual Awards Night
Chris introduces the special ‘Heralds’ Award.
The swimmers ‘Herald’ winner, Raymondo.
Mike presents the ‘Golden Flipper’ Award to Neil.
Issi presents the ‘Swimmer of the Year’ award to a well deserved Mike
That was a brief review of a topsy turvy, tumultuous, chaotic 2020.
What may be in store for us during 2021?
We have no idea, nonetheless we have shown during 2020 that we are there for each other striving to adapt to challenging circumstances with dignity, love, friendship and fun.
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Ken B., Mollymook Beach Waterfront: Editor for Mollymook News and Destination Mollymook Milton Ulladulla