The swimmers were lucky to make it out after last week’s East Coast Low and rough seas, but after making it through the bar, it was plain sailing out to Montague Island. 

The swimmers were this year not able to secure permission to land on the island and be greeted by a ranger, so skipper Norm anchored the boat in jetty bay next to “The Gut”. The water temp was a rather pleasant 18.9 degrees, and the air temp was 9 degrees. A total of 24 swimmers took the plunge and swam to the shore where the island narrows before heading back to the boat.

There were sticky buns and drinks - hot and cold - waiting for the swimmers back on the boat. The fine session normally held back at the pub, was held on board with fine master Brent Lockton climbing up on the flybridge to hand out the fines.

Swimmer Ben Stainer received the club’s “Pirate Award” for jumping in early and also bringing his diving knife strapped to his arm, which he said he was for safety. Brendan O’Mahony was also fined for showing up late, running down the town wharf in his Speedos and Ugg boots.

Sunday’s Montague Island adventure saw swimmers of all ages, sizes and sexes participate, and as always everyone is welcome to join the club. There are fines for wearing flippers and wetsuits though. 

The swimmers normally meet at the south end of Bar Beach every Sunday during winter at 9am. 

Six Bermagui Blue Balls also attended Sunday’s Montague Island swim and it was decided the Blue Balls winter swimming club will host a joint swim with Narooma Numnutz at Bermagui on Sunday, July 24, where again all are welcome. The location is yet to be decided. 

Both clubs thank skipper Norm and Narooma Charters for getting them out to another great island swim, and are already looking forward to next year’s Montague swim, which will be the third!

The Narooma winter swimmers are now looking forward to the end-of-season trip in September to the annual winter swimming championships, held this year in Newcastle. 

 Check out last year’s Montague Island swim here