The North Wollongong Silver Salties meet every Wednesday through the warmer months – and you’re invited to join. Photo: Silver Salties.
Some weeks ago, Graham Smith was walking along the Blue Mile when he spotted them – a small crowd of people coming out of the Continental Pool, looking remarkably chipper.
“All these people were having a laugh, and they seemed to be having so much fun that I just had to ask who they were, what they were doing,” he says.
They were the North Gong chapter of the “Silver Salties”, a participation program for older – and not so old (18+) – Australians at Surf Life Saving Clubs. Funded by Sport Australia’s “Move It Aus”, the program promotes physical activity, social connections and involvement in the surf lifesaving community.
Every Wednesday at 9 am, participants register their goal time at the Silver Salties table outside the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, which covers the cost for them to access the Continental Pool for a variety of events, usually a 50 m, 100 m, relay (shirts vs skirts) and a novelty swim.
Participation is free, and swimmers can do any stroke they like. Though it’s technically run as a race, participants only compete against their own times.
After their efforts in the pool, the Salties head back to the club for coffee, cake and chats, overlooking the water.
Graham says it’s a zero-pressure environment.
“I hadn’t swum a lap in decades, but it didn’t take long to relax into it – it’s such a welcoming, friendly group,” he says.
“People bake and bring in trays of custard slice and cakes to celebrate birthdays. We also mix it up with the activities, sometimes we play beach volleyball or go boogie board surfing.”
It was later last year that long-standing Floating Flamingos Winter Swimming Club member Judy Walshe was asked to organise the Silver Salties, for people who wanted to swim in the warmer weather.
Now, one year in, the North Gong Silver Salties has more than 40 members, with a mix of male and female.
“Last year we had such a fabulous season and this year we’re off to a great start,” she says.
“The group are all very supportive; they enthusiastically cheer you on and it creates a really fantastic atmosphere in which to get physically fit and reach any goals you’ve set yourself.”
Frances van Zinnen who has been a North Gong Salty since day dot says the group is great for physical and mental health.
“The health benefits of swimming are pretty well documented. It’s easy on the joints, can help improve muscle tone, reduce stress, improve your mood and so on,” she says.
“But it’s also about the benefits of being around such encouraging people. There’s a lot of goodwill and funny moments. And you don’t have to be a good swimmer by any stretch; they’ll cheer you on.”
The North Wollongong Silver Salties meet every Wednesday at 9 am outside the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, and the season lasts until around April/May. For more information visit the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club.
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