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Recharge the mind, body, and soul. Swimmer profile – Raymond A.

The Mollymook Ocean Swimmers are a motley group of people from all walks of life who have been drawn together by a common interest = ocean swimming. As you “peel back the layers over a period of time” (Anne-Maree) you begin to see the unique individual characteristics that make up this “Motley” crew.

Today we share a snapshot into the life of that man with so many talents, Ray A.

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Raymond, that’s only No 1

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Raymond, that’s fifty, have a breather.

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Hidden at the far end of Mollymook Beach, following a one km ocean swim and just after sunrise is fitness guru Ray A. In this picturesque location he seeks to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. He begins with exercises designed to streamline the tummy. If the tummy is taunt his mind will be at peace. And if his mind is at peace his soul will have a much better chance of going to heaven.

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Mollymook beach is a haven for early morning fitness conscious people doing either: Boot camp, Triathlon training, Iron-man routines, swimming, running &/or walking, all programs designed to alleviate stress and maintain optimum health through exercise and fun activities.

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Ray shares his time between Mollymook / Milton and Sydney. His fitness regime continues in Sydney where his is a lead instructor at the Tattersalls Club, Sydney’s premier business and sporting club, located on Elizabeth Street, opposite Hyde Park in Sydney’s CBD.

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Being a lead instructor, Ray had learned his trade having served under fitness guru George Daldry of City Tatts for many, many years. George had been the youngest internee at Changi then Naoetsu on the island of Honshu, Japan and returned home with a steely resolve to strengthen both mind and body to ward off the demons of his incarceration. The fitness circuit he devised brought forth clients of an extraordinarily diverse mix. Lyndon Johnson (then vice – president), Kerry Packer, Jimmy Carruthers, Lew Hoad, Simon Poidevin, Raper, Fulton, Coote , Langlands etc.

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George’s greatest achievement (apart from training Ray) was to steer the Australian rowing eight to silver at Mexico in 1968 via his spartan punishing training technique. Running hills hand in hand, piggybacking up stairwells, utilising medicine balls and wooden planks, were his innovations designed to whip both body and mind.

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Certainly the thrice weekly and Sunday Centennial Park harrier runs conditioned Ray for marathons, biathlons and most definitely the Hawkesbury 110km paddling classic. Consequently, the sit up and push up routine (in images above) are an instinctive and habitual part of George Daldrys’ indoctrination!

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