On the last weekend in March 2010, a group of about 15 members and family, made their way to East’s Van Park in Kiama for our annual surfing weekend. This was only our second year to Kiama and we just managed to squeeze the visit in, in between the NSW Short Course Championships and Easter.
After a quiet evening Friday, we were up early to make our way down to Gerroa where we met the surf school instructor. After organising ourselves with wetsuits and boards, we headed off down the track to cross the estuary to the northern end of 7 Mile Beach. Well, crossing the usually narrow, very shallow and gentle flowing water proved to be interesting and just a little frightening in fact. The water was much deeper than usual, and the undertow another story completely! Even Ian Thorpe at his best would have been hard pressed to swim against it with any effect. After regrouping, doing a head count to make sure we all had actually fact made it across, and checking ourselves over for injuries, we trudged down the beach until the instructor found a spot for us to set up.
The surf was a little small, but ‘The Grommets’ aka Suzie’s son Sam, Leisa’s son James and big kid Greg were up and surfing in no time at all. Annette, Suzie, Jeanette and Rod are regular surf weekenders, so it was not long before they were up or almost up at least. Veronika, a first timer, got a little extra one on one from the instructor and was soon getting to the kneeling and then the crouching position and riding the waves in. The two hours passed all too quickly as usual, and it was soon time to head back. Fortunately, the change in tide ensured that the estuary had calmed right down and the super-surfers crossed back without incident. Most of us headed back into Kiama for a well earned coffee and bite to eat then back to the van park. Some headed off to go fishing, while others just relaxed in or by the fantastic pool they have there. We all enjoyed a relaxing evening with a BBQ and a drink or two before heading off to bed. On Sunday some headed home and off to do other things, while smaller group of us went to Jamberoo Water Park for the day. This again proved to be a great day out. When threatening cloud loomed over the escarpment late in the afternoon, we called it quits and headed for home too.
This weekend away certainly met the “friendship and fun” element of the Masters Swimming motto, and we look forward to heading off again next year, either surfing or maybe on a new adventure. We hope to see lots of members and family next year taking part. Thanks to Leisa Cass, who did a fantastic job of organising the trip which proved to be a terrific weekend for all those involved.
