North Bondi- Ocean Swimming with Mermaid.

This morning I felt like I was stuck in an episode of the Twilight zone.  A year ago I could not imagine saying to Maria, “Where is my wetsuit?" She was quite distracted as she was looking at the beach camera positioned on top of North Bondi RSL. We were debating the surf conditions like seasoned pros. I thought it looked a little choppy however Maria being the more experienced ocean swimmer authoritatively stated that it was fine.

We are members of BondFit triathlon club and on Saturday mornings they offer rookie open water swimming. This was my third time and I felt quite intimidated by the waves. Mermaid, our effervescent coach enthusiasm was contagious. I noticed there were more experienced swimmers and I said to her, “Is this for the big kids or the little kids?" She laughed and said, “Both". She could sense that I was full of trepidation and she paired us beginners with the more experienced swimmers. I was paired up with her and I've always wanted to swim with a 'mermaid'.  She literally held my hand and dragged me out. She wasn't a bad sort and I thought can't we just stand here and hold hands. We took it slowly and the main thing that she kept repeating like a mantra was to stay relaxed. I found that I was in oxygen debt before I could get through the breakers. It was not so much my fitness but because of my anxiety about drowning. Once I was able to relax myself I had no issues going out to the calmer water beyond the breakers. Towards the end of the session, we practised some body surfing and I felt like I was eight years old again.  Maria and I were swapping war stories, "It threw me under and held me down." "Yeah, they were at least 8 metres high." We must have sounded like we were on speed.

Bondi Beach this morning.

It was great fun had by all and remember kids always swim between the flags.

Getting There: 

Parking is expensive however if you arrive in plenty of time quite often you may get a park in some of the back streets.  Buses are frequent and depart from the Bondi Junction bus interchange.