Flying South for the Winter

Saturday and HOFF's were delighted with the presence of @seppo311 (aka Michelle) who had parachuted into Merewether with Mr and Mrs @MaitlandSwimmer signalling her along the Swell Cafe parchment. There to greet her were a bunch of Hoff's (collective noun?) who were gathering up for the Merewether to Bar Beach stretch.

The group of coffee drinkers who look at the Hoff's in awe of their athletic prowess, were getting stuck into their latte's whilst the Hoff's, fully stretched and warmed up, headed beach wards. Preparations for this swim are impeccable - goggles - check, togs tied - check, sunscreen - nah. At the ready were @Aquaboy62 (aka Tingle Togs), @merfalyn, @WoJoBungo, @swimbikeknit, Doddsy, @seppo311, @MaitlandSwimmer and @EssRon, who has freed himself from cricket duties.

A nice rolling 3 to 4 ft swell was coming in from

the NE. The bank dropped off, and outside the Merewether Surf Club, a slight sweep started to drag the HOFF's southwards. The HOFF's grouped outside the breakers and then headed north. Outside the steps of Dixon, the HOFF's flaoted around - Tingle Togs proudly pointed out his son in the surf. Michelle commented how fresh the water was - obviously use to Queensland temps as the Hunter HOFF's sweltered in the 21 degree temps.

Regrouped, the HOFF's pressed on, and 10 or so minutes later were at Bar Beach. The surf was very tempting for a body bash - but out the back the dolphins, on cue made an appearance.

The swim back had then become like a wildlife adventure, not one, but three pods of dolphins greeted the HOFF's on their return journey. We listened underwater to their clicking (if only I could see..)

At swim's end, we cued for coffee and a chat. Then back to reality... jobs to do, flights to catch. Thanks flipper and @seppo311 for your presence.

Who are the HOFF's

The HOFF's or Hunter Ocean Fitness Fanatics are a body of ocean swimmers who decided that's there's more to life than reading the Weekend Australian on a Saturday morning. The HOFF's are like-minded souls who find solace at the end of a tough Australian working week in swimming the ocean off the lower Hunter. The HOFF's meeting place is Merewether; Swell Cafe and the HOFF's normal route is Merewether Bar Beach and return; a noice few K's. The HOFF's are genuine ocean swimming enthusiasts, varied in abilities but drawn together by the need to roll around in the swell and burn a few kilocal's.

Note: The HOFF's bear no relation to cheeseburger consuming actor's who get videoed by offspring after a bender but DO practice slow-mo's with pointy red thingys.