The Coledale Oysters featured on the cover of The Illawarra Flame's June 2025 edition – download the magazine layout here or read on below

Denis Yeo thrives amid the camaraderie at the Coledale Oysters Winter Swimming Club, which this year is marking its 60th anniversary.

The club’s treasurer, 64-year-old Denis is a local accountant and auditor. He has never considered himself an athlete, but he is a very willing participant who loves the water and winter Sunday mornings spent with a great group of blokes at Coledale Pool.

“Many of my fellow swimmers have been competing for far longer than me, and some have such lovely strokes and style that is amazing to watch,” Denis says. “But in meeting each week it does not seem to matter.

“We all get in and swim. It does not appear to matter what style you exhibit or your speed. Everyone is so encouraging and the handicap system allows us all a chance.

“I’ll admit sometimes it is a little cold and windy, but as we meet about 9am and descend the steps, it is time for a welcoming chat before the swims. We are ready then to cross the rock platform and enter the heats each week. You may get one swim or up to three depending on your wins, but we all have a chance. After that it is back to Coledale RSL Club for a bit of warmth, some hot soup and warm toast made by members or their associates and a presentation for the swims. It is a delightful way to spend a Sunday morning.”

Denis, who joined the club in 2020, celebrates the legendary status of long-time members.

“There was ‘The Duke’, who was an early club member and arrived in later years with his walking stick, but still swam and held his own. We still hold commemorative swims for The Duke.

“The Club Captain works hard, and even though he is busy with a young family, commits to the 18 weeks and still manages to give his all. And then there’s Bob ‘the Toast Man’. We all enjoy our hot home-made soup each week, but the toast, by Bob, is always sensational.

“President Paul, Terry and Warwick are other notables within the club. Our youngest member is 22 and our eldest is about 60. The group has a wonderful community depth to it, traditions hold strong from the past, but there is also a forward feeling in the club for a great future.”   

The Coledale RSL is very supportive and happy to host the Oysters’ after-swim meets, AGMs, special nights and fundraisers.

“We also raise money for charities and decide the charity at the AGM each year. In the past it has been the Cerebral Palsy Association of the Illawarra, Children with Cancer,” Denis says.

“There is also a nominal seasonal membership fee that covers club costs and accounts and trophies and other prizes that may be awarded weekly or at the end of the season. The King Oyster is also awarded each year and is very competitive with swimmers who never miss a swim and who don’t  ‘break’ in the final swim. The King Oyster swim itself becomes highly competitive.”

Denis, as treasurer, also collects dues and ensures accuracy of funds for the club. The weekly prizes of beers and softies all need to be awarded. 

“It is the members that I enjoy the most, the camaraderie and the fellowship. We are all welcome and though it is a men’s winter swim group, our partners are very welcome at events.

“It is the individuality of the swims that I love the most. I cannot let anybody down. I just compete for me and there is great satisfaction in that. I also admit there are weeks when it may be 13°C in the pool with a cold wind, I do often question myself and my actions. But, you get in and you get out, it all happens so quickly really and then we are back to the warmth of the RSL Club and the home-made soup. Nothing can be better.” 

Over summer, Denis misses the friendships – and the soup and toast. “It makes it all the more entertaining when winter approaches each year and certainly something to look forward to in the colder months. For those unable to swim or unwilling, timekeepers are always needed and their job is certainly important.”  

Denis and many others have worked hard to keep the club alive and active over six decades. As a result, the Coledale Oysters Winter Swimming Club remains a strong and fantastic feature of our community.    

Meet the Oysters

Coledale Oysters Winter Swimming Club kicked off their 60th year with a chilly dip in the rain followed by homemade soup at Coledale RSL on Sunday, April 27. Four swimmers told Tyneesha Williams what they get out of club membership.

John Corker, secretary

“It’s a mental thing and a physical thing – what I get out of it is camaraderie. It can be a highlight of my week during winter – it’s very good for my mental health. It’s win-win-win and I love the hot soup afterwards!

“The Oysters have been a proudly men’s only sporting club for 60 years. It provides a unique supportive environment for members and that’s important to us.”

Denis Yeo, treasurer

“I think it is a camaraderie thing, it’s not competitive, but it is… it’s friendly, but they like to win and they like to get the King Oyster which is just a plastic crown. It’s quite coveted, you have to swim 100% of the swims in a year to win that, you can’t miss one. It’s just a great group of people.”

Paul Bentley, president

“I’m here for mateship and for the exercise. It’s the camaraderie - we’ve got some members that are battling with illness, and we also give money to charity as well, so it’s good.”

Ryan Davidson, captain

“A bit of camaraderie and mateship – and just something to wake you up on a Sunday morning, get you out of the house.”

Where to go winter swimming

Join Coledale Oysters Winter Swimming Club on Facebook or pop into Coledale RSL to ask for their contact details.

Feeling inspired? Find a club near you – winter swimming keeps you fit, improves your circulation, reduces stress and it’s social.

• Stanwell Park Sea Eels: Sundays at Coalcliff rock pool. Staying cool in the pool since 1989, the club welcomes men and women of any age. Find the Sea Eels on Facebook
• Austinmer Otters: This club for men and boys meets on Sunday mornings at Austi’s ocean baths. Find the Otters on Facebook
• Bulli Sea Lions: Founded in 1958, the Sea Lions meet on Sundays at Bulli ocean pool. Men and women are welcome. Find the Bulli Sea Lions on Facebook
• Bellambi Bluebottles: Sundays mornings at Bellambi rock pool; a club for men and boys. Find the Bluebottles on Facebook
• Wollongong Whales: Sundays at North Gong’s Continental Pool. Founded in the late 1950s, the Whales could be the Illawarra’s oldest winter swimming club. They welcome all genders, follow on Facebook
• Floating Flamingos: Formed in 2021, this is the youngest club on the list and the first to consist of almost all women. The Flamingos meet 7.30am on Sundays at the Continental Pool. Follow @floatingflamingoswsc on Instagram or Facebook
• Winter Wonder Women: Formed in 2020, the Winter Wonder Women often meet on Sundays and last year held a solstice sunset swim at Austinmer. More info on Instagram
• Sea Gals Wollongong: Sea Gals is a women-only sunrise ocean swim group that began in Perth. The local group holds sporadic beach swims up and down the coast. @_seagalswollongong_ on Instagram