Sea Eels poised for 33rd winter swim season

By Peter McDonald, president of the Sea Eels winter swimming club

After a disappointing year with no swims in 2020, what with Covid-19 and the closing of Bald Hill for two months, the Sea Eels are about to begin our 33rd year of winter swimming.

Our club is a family club open to all swimmers who can swim 50 metres unaided. We swim at Coalcliff pool every Sunday from the first Sunday after Anzac Day (02 May) up until September.

Swims are 50m, 100m and a relay. All swims are handicapped and as competitive as you may wish your swim to be.

After the swims we head to Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC for delicious soups and drinks and plenty of socialising. This is also where we raise funds for charity by means of fines, raffles and Joker Poker.

Our main charity is CRAM Foundation, which provides a caring service to disabled adults and children. We have been supporting CRAM since 1999 and have made many friendships with the residents. Each year we entertain them at Helensburgh Tradies and make a substantial donation so they can purchase much-needed equipment. We also donate to worthy local causes.

Our club enjoys inter-club visits to Bulli Sea Lions and the ladies from the Bondi Icebergs visit us. We also compete at the Southern Metropolitan Winter Swimming Championships at Bondi, the South Coast, and the Australian Championships, which will be held in Orange this year.

Our club welcomes all community residents, as well as surf club members. Join the Sea Eels and you become an “Associate Member” of the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC and covered by the surf club insurance.

Our club is a very friendly club and all of our members enjoy a cool swim and socialising. Hope to see you on the blocks 2 May.