Australian Winter swim club begins a new season for "The Blubbers"

01/15

Caption

Five older members of the Umina Blue Swimmers Winter Swimming Club are about to hit the icy water of the Pearl Beach tidal pool, Australia.

02/15

Caption

Members of the Blue Swimmers Winter Swim club at Pearl Beach, Australia, brave the cold weather in the season's first time trials.

03/15

Caption

All ages and shapes fling themselves into the water for the time trials at the Umina Blue Swimmers Club at Pearl Beach, Australia.

04/15

Caption

A Blue Swimmer Club member leaves the pool after a heat of the time trials on the first day of this year's winter swimming season in Pearl Beach.

05/15

Caption

Water flies everywhere as members of the Umina Blue Swimmers Mens Winter Swimming Club hit the water on the first day of the Winter season of 2012. One members shows a clean pair of heels to the his opponents.

06/15

Caption

A Blue Swimmer Club member strips off ready to plunge into the cold waters of the nearby pool, revealing his "Made in Australia" tattoed map across his freckled back.

07/15

Caption

Five older members of the Blue Swimmers Winter swimming club are about to hit the icy water of the Pearl Beach tidal pool, Australia.

08/15

Caption

Club President Neil Denham with clip board in hand, calls out the times members achieved in these time trials.

09/15

Caption

The members with stopwatches in their hands prepare to time the swimmers inthe season's first timetrials for 2012. In races the members will be out to beat their personal bests. Canon Eos 5D.

10/15

Caption

The slogan on the back of a long time member of the Blue Swimmers club says it all.

11/15

Caption

Neil Denham, President of the the Umina Blue Swimmers Mens Winter Swimming Club poolside.

12/15

Caption

A young Blue Swimmer Club member has donned his swim goggles ready to plunge into the cold waters of the nearby pool. The youth looks to the starter for his heat in this Winter swim competition.

13/15

Caption

The Umina Blue Swimmers Winter Swimming club handicapper is at work recording teh lap times achieved in their first time trial for the Winter of 2012.

14/15

Caption

The first day of this men only Winters swim club gets under way with time trials at their Pearl Beach sea baths. One of the few functional tidal pools remaining in New South Wales, this pool was built in 1928 and the well heeled community raised $100.

15/15

Caption

The Heritage listed, cold, tidal sea pool at Pearl Beach ,Australia awaits the gathering members of the Umina Blue Swimmers Winter swim club. It is the first day of the 2012 swim season in Late April.

Report current story

Pearl Beach is an hour's drive north of Sydney, it is home to a Heritage listed 'tidal sea pool' and the wonderful "blubbers." Since 1969 the Umina Blue Swimmers Mens Winter Swim Club (the Blubbers), has braved it's icy waters.

Ever wondered what happens to those bronzed Aussie surf lifesavers when they are no longer buff enough to strut a beach in Speedos and cap? Every Sunday of the Southern Hemisphere Winter from May to September, you'll find the answer at the leafy enclave of Pearl Beach. Since 1969, members of the Umina Blue Swimmers Mens Winter Swim Club have gathered here at the public pool to test their manhood and chew the fat with friends. The tidal swimming pool was built in 1929 and is one of only six remaining in New South Wales. As current Club President Neil Denham explains, "It is one way for us to keep fit but it's more about hanging out with your mates." The Club motto is "Swim Cold- Stay Hard." This is the first meet for the 2012 Winter season. A handicapping system allows the old, young, buff or fat to compete against each other in the 30 metre pool and beat their personal best times. In the depth of Winter the water temperature can drop to a chilly 12 degrees C. What is the annual prize at the end of a cold Australian winter that the 48 Club members are chasing? A glass beer mug trophy of course.