RAAFs Iceberger glossary of swim terms

 

Anthropologist Franz Boaz studied the life of Inuit people on Baffin Island back in the late 1800s. His work is the root of the myth about Inuit people having 50 words for snow, the cliché that we've probably all heard at some point. Not surprisingly, there is more to the story (not least because there are 100s of Inuit language groups), but there is a grain of truth in that they have multiple ways to describe what we simply know as 'snow'.

Similarly, for those of us who are regular swimmers, to 'go for a swim' is a meaningless term, or at least 'more information is needed' to understand exactly what is going on. For my little swim community, here are the terms we use without explanation to describe swimming. (not to be taken too seriously!)

1. Rinse

When you spend just 5-10 minutes bollarding (standing), catching white water, and have a general frolic to start the day. Weekdays at RAAFs.

2. Dip

Similar to rinse, except often stay longer, and more often than not too long so it takes takes a while to warm up. At RAAFs.

3. Body surf

Donning fins and a hand plane, when the main objective is to catch unbroken waves, the bigger the better. Some would say the 'original and the best' swim. :-)

Bodysurfing mornings are punctuated by cries of 'woohoo', just to signal to others that you've caught something decent. (The equivalent of a board-riding comp 'claim'.)

4. Going to Ocean Grove (intense)

Same as (3) when there aren't any waves to catch at RAAFs.

5. Going to Ocean Grove (casual)

Weekend variation for whatever kind of swim when the conditions at RAAFs are crap or flat.

6. Going to 13th (intense)

Testosterone fuelled search for waves to body surf when the swell isn't getting around the bluff.

7. Going to 13th (frustrated)

Community excursion after heavy rain or floods when the water is putrid to the east of the river mouth.

8. Going to Drysdale (formally 'going to Kardinia')

Pool swim to build swim fitness.

9. Surf Club Dash (SCD)

The 'home' ocean swim, from RAAFs to the Ocean Grove Surf Club (2km+). Some might describe as the original, centering ocean swim. Wetsuit option.

10. The stairs

Shorter variant of SCD (~1km return). Often swum to regain swim fitness, or for newbies. As with (9), usually involves floating and laughing shenanigans before the return. Wetsuit option.

11. Lonnie

Weekend favourite alternative to SCD depending on tides and wind direction. Loved due to beautiful reef and sea life. Varying lengths and routes depending on conditions, including 'springs to deck', Santa Casa one way', ‘lighthouse to lighthouse’ and others. Wetsuit option.

12. River swim (or Ozone swim)

Slack tide swim from Ozone Jetty to At the Heads or shorter variations. (1km) Usually includes 'did you see the ray?' in the debrief. Wetsuit option if you're prepared to be mocked by Bruce.

Adventurous variations include the 'bat out of hell' swim from 13th Beach around the bluff on the incoming tide & 'Ozone to Surf Club', out the river and around to Ocean Grove on the outgoing tide.

13. Adventure Swim

Weekend ocean swim, often a bit longer, to explore a different piece of the Bellarine coastline. Portarlington a favoured spot when the breeze has southerly in it. Wetsuit option. (Usually 3 -5km)

14. Rip Swim

The famed Portsea to Queenscliff swim across the mouth of Port Philip Bay. Only serious ocean swimmers need apply. Typically regulated and a big deal, except when done unofficially (Weavey!!!!)

15. Winter Rip Swim

Same as (14) except middle of winer and no wetsuits allowed. Next level stupidity. Respect.

16. Big swim

10 km plus. When you are obsessed with ocean swimming. Elites only need apply (Kirsty, Cathy, Muz & Andrew).

17. Jetty Jump

When the weather is warmer and you need a (1) or (2) but it is daytime and there are family members involved.

18. 'Missing you' swims

Usually evidenced by pics of solo dips in lonely water in far away places (including Melb, but might also be Scotland or any other place to which the community disperses.)

OR when Alix swims off on her own ...

19. Skinny

Usually, but not always, under the cover of predawn darkness. Some of us (ok, me) are committed to at least 1/week, but others also indulge regularly.

(and numerous de-suiting dips when spontaneous bursts of freedom overcome sea people - apparently!)

20. Winter solstice swim

Group skinny on 21st or 22nd June.

21. Go/run/ride to the beach

In the warmer months. Usually with family at Ocean Grove, RAAFs or 13th. For some of us (ok, me again) it involves running and rinsing unless there are family members or recreation equipment included.