Sunday, June 21, 2009

Mona Vale Cold Water Classic ... The Solstice Swim ...

Lovely day at Mona Vale in the 1st inaugural Cold Water Classic. As expected, the water wasn't that cold, but there was a nice wave on to spice things up, forcing the organisers to reverse the course, starting in Bongin Bongin Bay and heading around the rock shelf to Mona Vale beach proper. Water was around 20 deg C, and the sun came out. And when the sun came it, wasn't it such a balmy, warm day! 278 entries before the day and around 270 swam, as we understand it.

But tell us what you thought ... Click the Comments link below to leave your comments, and please remember to leave your name on your blob ...

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Big River Man ...

In recent newsletters, we've mentioned the story of Martin Strel, who swam over 5,000km down the Amazon in 2007. We swam with Martin last weekend, and we're preparing a report on him to be posted soon on oceanswims.com. We also have received an email from Bob Cope, who also saw the movie, Big River Man, at the Sydney Film Festival ...

I'm a long time ocean swimmer of 66 years, eg did the Alcatraz two years ago.

We also viewed 'Big River Man' at the Sydney film festival. I'm not sure you should more or less endorse it, at least without cautions. The film production was very ordinary and we felt the people involved were deeply flawed, including the star. I'm no wowser, but I found it disturbing to see him knocking back grog in the middle of a swim. Undoubtedly, however, you could not but be impressed with his determination.

Overall, I could not recommend the movie to anyone except as a curiosity.

Thanks for your continued emails and information.

In swimming

Bob Cope
Fair cop. What do you think? Click the Comment button below to leave your comment, and please remember to include your name.