Looking Over the Hopkins River-7pmWhat would make any self respecting and sane human being enter a river in the darkest night, when the water temperature was a crisp 10.6c and the wind was blowing strongly from the ice bergs at the bottom of the World? And what would make any teenage girl join in such an outlandish scheme?
Well, if you are a girl named Amelia (14) or Chloe(13) you join in because it is part of your preparation for an attempt at a crossing of the English Channel. You do so because together with another friend Kerry (15 and currently holidaying somewhere warmer!) you have formed a group called TOTM (Teens On The Move) aiming to inspire other young people to get out there and "have a go" and also because you are trying to raise $25,000AUD for the Fred Hollows Foundation-naming the attempt "Sea 2 See".
L to R:Chloe, Kerry & Amelia in Lady Bay-water 12c
But back to the night swim....we gathered at the fray-actually, it was a slippery boat ramp but that's close! Glow sticks were attached and swimmers stripped. Did the fact that it was blowing a gale, the water was freezing and we couldn't see a bloody thing deter us? Well, yes actually!
As Team Manager of TOTM, I decided that it would be safer if I paddled a board-safer, but not warmer! Also, not being very proficient on a board at the best of times, paddling at night into a strong head wind quickly saw me deciding that swimming may have been the safer option!
However, after a quick 15 minute dip (and a 20minute paddle for me!) which 9 started and 8 finished ( one swimmer decided that after 2metres this was not something which she really needed to do at this point of her life! She waited onshore.), we reassembled on the shore with a mixture of disbelief and exhilaration.
Had they really swam out into the night? Most heads may not have spent much time in the water-with young Chloe heard saying:" Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" much of the way (not quite sure whether he was listening or not because that bloody wind did NOT abate!); but hey, it was a first attempt and it's not going to get much worse!
I've advised the girls that they can get used to the thought of more night swims (hopefully in better conditions-coz I'm not getting back on that board otherwise!). Their training is going to encompass many different conditions and challenges. They also have to keep their school work up to date whilst organising fundraisers for the "Sea 2 See" Challenge. It's not going to be easy, but to paraphrase Capt M. Webb"- nothing ever is. And they've got a real B#$%^ of a Team Manager!!!
Well, if you are a girl named Amelia (14) or Chloe(13) you join in because it is part of your preparation for an attempt at a crossing of the English Channel. You do so because together with another friend Kerry (15 and currently holidaying somewhere warmer!) you have formed a group called TOTM (Teens On The Move) aiming to inspire other young people to get out there and "have a go" and also because you are trying to raise $25,000AUD for the Fred Hollows Foundation-naming the attempt "Sea 2 See".
L to R:Chloe, Kerry & Amelia in Lady Bay-water 12cBut back to the night swim....we gathered at the fray-actually, it was a slippery boat ramp but that's close! Glow sticks were attached and swimmers stripped. Did the fact that it was blowing a gale, the water was freezing and we couldn't see a bloody thing deter us? Well, yes actually!
As Team Manager of TOTM, I decided that it would be safer if I paddled a board-safer, but not warmer! Also, not being very proficient on a board at the best of times, paddling at night into a strong head wind quickly saw me deciding that swimming may have been the safer option!
However, after a quick 15 minute dip (and a 20minute paddle for me!) which 9 started and 8 finished ( one swimmer decided that after 2metres this was not something which she really needed to do at this point of her life! She waited onshore.), we reassembled on the shore with a mixture of disbelief and exhilaration.
Had they really swam out into the night? Most heads may not have spent much time in the water-with young Chloe heard saying:" Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" much of the way (not quite sure whether he was listening or not because that bloody wind did NOT abate!); but hey, it was a first attempt and it's not going to get much worse!
I've advised the girls that they can get used to the thought of more night swims (hopefully in better conditions-coz I'm not getting back on that board otherwise!). Their training is going to encompass many different conditions and challenges. They also have to keep their school work up to date whilst organising fundraisers for the "Sea 2 See" Challenge. It's not going to be easy, but to paraphrase Capt M. Webb"- nothing ever is. And they've got a real B#$%^ of a Team Manager!!!
