Kevin Tiller

I often swim with work mates Stu and Mick at South Cronulla – in fact they were the ones that showed me that amazing swim group existed and for that I will be forever thankful. This year, they have both been a bit slow to get going  for the summer season – we are meant to start end Oct but by late November there had been a few half-hearted attempts but nothing eventuated. I have been by myself a few times though at Cronulla (and a lot at Bundeena also).

So we arranged to go today, 1st December, quite accidentally the first day of summer. However the weather last night was pretty crap – wet and windy – so knew that Mick wouldn’t turn up (even though he’s the best of us by far, he only likes the warm water). Stu did turn up but the water was A LOT coder than the promised 18C, more like 16C, so he almost piked straight out without even getting his hair wet.

There was only about 6 of us and the swell was big heading to the Point. I was amazed when they decided to continue, not round Shark Island, as that was very dangerous looking, but we swam to the nearside and returned. As I was committed to the turnaround I kept going but the sea was very rough and quite dangerous. Luckily I made it back in one piece, but my feet were very cold and did not warm up until almost at work in the City.

A really great experience (one of many) on the high seas at Cronulla.