On Sunday 5th May the Stanwell Park Sea Eels (SPSE) celebrated 25 Years of Winter Swimming. Founded in 1989 simply by putting up a hand written notice in the patrol room seeking interest in forming a winter swimming club, since then it has continued with very few changes to the original concept. The success of the club has been it members, welcoming all on the proviso they can swim 50 metres unaided.
The day was well attended by 120 past and present members and partners, commencing with a swim at Coalcliff and the traditional soup, superb lunch and a drink to wash it down back at the Helensburgh Stanwell Park surf club. SPSE Secretary Phil Kelly welcomed guests, SPSE President Peter McDonald gave a brief history of the 25 Years of winter swimming and SPSE Vice President Anne-Maree Connolly presented Honorary Life Membership of the SPSE co-founders to Peter LeBreton and Phil Anger (posthumous) to son David Anger.
It was pleasing that Peter (Yogi Bear) travelled from Coffs Harbour and Dave was able to attend to give a moving response and congratulations to the present Sea Eels members. On behalf of the Sea Eels committee, thank you to all who attended and to our current members on another superb effort.
Thank you to Terry Wood for putting together 25 years of photos, even though there were some we would rather have not seen and who was responsible for putting just under $2,800 over the bar?
With thanks
Peter Mc
Below are some snapshots from the day.
If you have any photos from the day please do not hesitate to send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
