If you’ve ever wondered what all the winter swimming fuss was about or pondered taking a winter plunge, now is a great time to stoke your curiosity. Many clubs swim their first lap of the season – often also a time trial – in mid-to-late April. From seeking out that shot of adrenaline to raising money for charity, there’s plenty of reasons to dive in.
If the longevity of any of the Illawarra’s winter swimming clubs is anything to go by, the physical and mental health benefits of cold-water swimming – fitness upkeep, better circulation, reduced stress, socialising with a new group of people – far outweigh the initial cold-water discomfort.
There are several clubs across the Illawarra (of both the traditional and contemporary kind) that gather for a weekly wintry dip, meaning that there’s a place for everyone.
Meeting every Sunday at Coalcliff rock pool – beginning the first Sunday after Anzac Day – Stanwell Park Sea Eels Winter Swimming Club has been taking the cold-water plunge since 1989. In June last year, the Sea Eels were The Illawarra Flame’s cover feature, with club president Peter McDonald and member Marley Larkin sharing why they love winter swimming. For Peter, the friendship aspect and ability to raise money for charity are just two of the reasons he’s been involved with the club since its early days.
Stanwell Park Sea Eels welcome men and women of any age to join the club, provided participants are able to swim 25 metres unassisted.
Surpassing half a century since their first swim, Coledale Oysters Winter Swimming Club begin their season on the first Sunday after the Easter public holiday weekend. Meeting regularly at Coledale rock pool (some members more frequently than once a week), the club is open to men and boys only.
Founded in 1962, Austinmer Otters Winter Swimming Club is among the oldest in the Illawarra. Beginning their season in late April, the Otters meet at least once a week on Sunday mornings to tackle Austinmer’s ocean baths. Austinmer Otters is another Illawarra club that has retained tradition by welcoming men and boys only.
Whether Bulli Sea Lions pip the Wollongong Whales to declare themselves the oldest of the Illawarra’s winter swimming clubs is a hotly contested topic – but, nevertheless, having been founded in 1958, this club has a strong winter swimming history. Their season starts on the first Sunday after Easter, when the Sea Lions take to Bulli ocean pool for a lap or two. Women have been welcome at the club since 1983.
On any given Sunday during autumn and winter, you’ll find Bellambi Bluebottles Winter Swimming Club down by Bellambi rock pool for their morning swim. The men and boys of this club seem to never be deterred by the brisk morning conditions.
Making their home at Towradgi rock pool, the Corrimal Marlins Winter Swimming Club has a 60-year history of winter swimming – they were established in 1963. Historically a men-only club, the Corrimal Marlins have started welcoming all ages and genders to their Sunday morning swims in recent years.
Another contender for the Illawarra's oldest winter swimming club, the Wollongong Whales Winter Swimming Club was founded in the late 1950s. Their season starts on the first Sunday after Easter and continues to mid-September. They meet at the Continental Pool in North Wollongong weekly. While the Whales say they are open to all genders, they currently only have men in the club.
The youngest club on this list – and also to the first to consist of almost all women – the Floating Flamingos Winter Swimming Club was founded in 2021, a product of lockdown. Meeting on Sundays at Continental Pool in North Wollongong – and occasionally other saltwater pools – the Floating Flamingos’ season begins in May (though they have also been meeting regularly throughout summer). With numbers capped at about 130, their membership is unfortunately already full for the 2023 season.
A non-traditional winter swim club, Winter Wonder Women are based in the northern Illawarra and make use of the many rock pools of the area. Founded in 2020, the club aimed to keep active, enjoy the outdoors and stay social amidst the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic. While also meeting in summer, the group is most active in winter and often meets on Sundays. You can read more about Winter Wonder Women here.
Though not specifically a winter swim club, Sea Gals is a women-only sunrise ocean swim group that began by accident after a Perth woman uploaded a TikTok of her first-ever sunrise swim, inspiring others to join. It has now expanded to groups across the country and kicked off in Wollongong last September. The local group holds sporadic weekday and weekend beach swims up and down the coast. Sea Gals Wollongong is currently on hiatus while a new group leader is found, but you can read more about how the group formed and what they’re all about here.
