Swim 15 for the Narooma Numnutz winter swimmers saw 16 swimmers on a mission to dive the freshly exposed SS Bodalla wreck just off Australia Rock.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was the first time the swimmers have turned right on an outgoing tide through the bar, saying hello to the basking seals on the way past.
They rounded the southern breakwater with brilliant sunshine and clear 16 degree or so water making for excellent snorkeling. There were more fish and life seen than on the northern breakwater for the club’s usual bar swim.
The swimmers then assembled at wreck site as directed by Trevor Bennett, who first dived on the wreck back in the mid-70s with the late Bob Kershaw after it was then previously exposed.
Some of the swimmers seemed less than impressed but those who took the time to look closely could see the timbers and pipework left over from the wrecked ship that was abandoned on the rocks back in January 1924.
The amount of more modern debris strewn over the seafloor was also interesting including a captain's seat, boat cowling frame and a whole boat engine.
The swimmers then crawled in up past Australia Rock back over into the much chillier and murkier inlet channel to get back to the starting point at Bar Beach south. A most excellent swim and well worth doing again!
The swimmers then retired to O’Briens Hotel for a curry veggie soup from the bistro, followed by the fine session and then more planning for the upcoming trip to the Winter Swimming Association of Australia national championships in Newcastle.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
