HOFFs World Record

Come Easter Saturday, and fresh from the reminder of the beautiful conditions of Friday - see Easter Treats - not one, not two but 19 Hoffs formed a pod at Merewether for another autumn swim. However, unlike the day before, the wind and swell had picked up and the boats were facing to the south-east.

We kicked off into the swell and did our compulsory gathering at the "steps in front of Dixon". There Kate (time for Coffee) rounded two-thirds of the crew up and lead them back to Swells. That left 5 of us slogging it out northwards - it soon became apparent that there was a strong southerly sweep. Outside Bar Beach SLSC, myself, Damien and Greg, turned around to head back only to find ourselves battling a strong rip on the return. This was a gentle reminder that we dealing with the sea and that it's not always a friendly ocean. Steve and Liz had decided to turn around, having noted the rip and make the hard run back. Once we broke free of the rip's grip, we were making some progress but having taken double the time to get to the small headland north of Dixon, we (3) decided to pull out to shore. We then watched out for Liz and Steve who bravely battled out the back and made the distance.

Then with the after swims tradition, we were treated to a display of dolphins surfing the break in front of the Swells Cafe, as if to say, well done, but we are the experts. Respect..