Counting - all limbs intact, 10 fingers, 10 toes and I still got me nose!
Today around 750 swimmers leapt into Sydney Harbour from the Man O' War steps at the Opera House to particpate in the eighth Sydney Harbour Swim Classic.
I was nervous as all get out, having heard the news that a 15-year-old boy was 'mauled' (one is never attacked by a shark, one is always MAULED) by a shark at Avalon beach around 6.30 this morning. This attack is one of three in the past three weeks. This number is unprecedented (I think - correct me if I'm wrong).
Despite this, the swimmers today put their faith in the organisers, who had taken extra precautions, such as adding spotters on top of the Opera House and at Pinchgut and extra support craft to make the event safe.
I'm sure they were praying that the bugger at Avalon wouldn't head south and make a sharp right-hand turn at North and South Heads.
It was a little disconcerting when, before the start of the swim, we were told that if a shark was spotted we were all to move into to the middle of the harbour where we would be picked up by a flotilla of boats. Really?
I'm sure swim organiser Adam Watson is having a celebratory drink or 10 tonight as the event was fin-free.
As usual, I swallowed half the harbour. But all that matters is I SURVIVED (so did my brother-in-law Davo and eldest child, Petulant Princess).
The water was around 20 degrees, a cruise ship was moored just behind Pinchgut, the day was sparkling and the bull sharks were no doubt cruising around underneath us thinking, "What the @#*!"
No more shark stories from now on, I promise (unless there's another 'incident', that is).
From now on it's romance all the way!
Today around 750 swimmers leapt into Sydney Harbour from the Man O' War steps at the Opera House to particpate in the eighth Sydney Harbour Swim Classic.
I was nervous as all get out, having heard the news that a 15-year-old boy was 'mauled' (one is never attacked by a shark, one is always MAULED) by a shark at Avalon beach around 6.30 this morning. This attack is one of three in the past three weeks. This number is unprecedented (I think - correct me if I'm wrong).
Despite this, the swimmers today put their faith in the organisers, who had taken extra precautions, such as adding spotters on top of the Opera House and at Pinchgut and extra support craft to make the event safe.
I'm sure they were praying that the bugger at Avalon wouldn't head south and make a sharp right-hand turn at North and South Heads.
It was a little disconcerting when, before the start of the swim, we were told that if a shark was spotted we were all to move into to the middle of the harbour where we would be picked up by a flotilla of boats. Really?
I'm sure swim organiser Adam Watson is having a celebratory drink or 10 tonight as the event was fin-free.
As usual, I swallowed half the harbour. But all that matters is I SURVIVED (so did my brother-in-law Davo and eldest child, Petulant Princess).
The water was around 20 degrees, a cruise ship was moored just behind Pinchgut, the day was sparkling and the bull sharks were no doubt cruising around underneath us thinking, "What the @#*!"
No more shark stories from now on, I promise (unless there's another 'incident', that is).
From now on it's romance all the way!
1 comment:
Well done! You are one-up on me this year. The Sydney Harbour Swim was on my list this season, but crossed it off. I did the Cockatoo Island swim last couple years but that green murky harbour water still plays tricks with my mind. I prefer swimming in the ocean where I've got a chance of seeing any sea creatures coming at me.
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