One of the longest running swims in Stra'a this season celebrates, we think, its 52nd outing. The other amazing thing about it is that some of the founders of this swim -- er, one that we know of -- still is involved. That's Cliff Marsh, although Cliff's role these days is focussed more on the start, which he does in his own style.

This is an unusual swim and a particular challenge, too: it's 3.8km in a straight line. That makes it a mind swim. That distance in a straight line across flat, open water, with a tiny target in the distance, even with booees every couple of hundred metres means you need to manage your swim in your head. No waypoints that mean anything until you get close to the finish and Green Point hoves into view on your left, provided you breathe that way. Eventually, the gleaming roof of the Belmont 16' Sailing Club - the Skiffies - rises slowly from the horizon dead in front, then slightly abeam to your left. When it is on your left, then you're almost there.

Registration and finish is at the Belmont 16' Sailing Club, on the eastern shores of Lake Macquarie, from where you're ferried to the start at Coal Point, on the western shore. There are no registrations at Coal Point. You cannot start at Coal Point unless you've registered first on the grassed rigging area next to the Skiffies. The schlepp across the lake to the start is one of the highlights of this swim, mind you. If the weather is ok, it's a lovely trip in the early morning, ripe for a gasbag and a brag en route to the start

http://openwaterswimming.eu/node/1108