Frigid Digits celebrate 40 years

The Hardys Bay Frigid Digits Winter Swimming Club celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sunday, September 1, with a gala function at Putty Beach.

Over 100 competitors and supporters attended the event, gathering to signify the founding of the club, which was on Fathers' Day in 1973.

The club also celebrated the 98th birthday of its instigator and founding member Mr Barney Reeves.

Forty years ago Mr Reeves led a following of seven individuals who introduced Sunday morning winter swimming competitions to an area widely renowned for its summer pleasures.

Reports from those times suggested competitors engaged in a "20-metre outward swim in the Killcare surf, then a return to the beach before an adjournment to the sanctuary of the surf club for a bowl of soup and nips of rum and Bonox".

Since the original eight took to the April waters, the Hardys Bay Frigid Digits have become part of community life.

Local identities such as Brad Berry, Lex Cameron, Ron Malcom, Freddy Reeves, John Annand, Nev Hazard, and Greg and John Bourne, were among the swimmers.

The club became affiliated with the Australian Winter Swimming Association in 1976, and with increasing membership by 1990 it was decided to transfer the clubs headquarters to the northern end of Putty Beach which provided a more suited setting for the competitions.

Winter swimming season lasts from the last Sunday in April until the first Sunday in September.

In this time, the club sends representatives to the Australian and Northern Districts Championship.

The Hardys Bay Frigid Digits are one of four clubs in Australia which have competed in every national championship, maintaining a 100 per cent record.

Email, 5 Sep 2013

Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group