Women's Warm Welcome For A Chilly Dip

Newcastle Herald

Monday June 2, 2008

By LISA BARRITT-EYLES

THE change of season has brought the Merewether Mackerels back to the baths with a historical change in composition.

The winter swimming club is one of the few in Newcastle that now includes women among it's members.

New member Billie Holmes-Fairfull said: "Merewether Mackerels got with the times and welcomes women.

"I swim with the Newcastle Diggers at Lambton pool in summer, but I wanted to swim all year round.

"Some of the men in the Newcastle Diggers club swim with the Mackerels in winter and they invited us to join the club for the first time."

The five women members are aged between 18 and 60.

Mrs Holmes-Fairfull has swum all her life and said swimming is the perfect way to exercise and relax.

"It keeps me fit and healthy and gets me up every Sunday morning," she said.

"You meet so many people. We have a laugh and a swim and after the races we return to the [Merewether Surf Life Saving] clubhouse to hear results and have some homemade soup," she said.

The Mackerels swim club began in 1972 and currently has 70 members. The youngest member is 16 and the oldest is 96. They meet every Sunday until the end of August at the Merewether baths and swim in all weather conditions.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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