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It is sobering to realise that I have lived nearly a decade (off and on) of my life with The Iceberg Gene — for better, for worse ;-) Inside the function room at the club stood hordes of the port loving swimmers, some leaning forward like wind-bent grasses. I and a few others unconsciously defied the dress code by wearing our usual shorts and striped t-shirts while most swimmers wore bright hawaian shirts. After five-and-a-half hours of eating and drinking we clapped in honour of those souls who make the club tick as they are the ones who make the Captain’s job bearable. When Captain Ken Spears, President Brat Payne and club members gather on Captain’s Day, much is exchanged. Including words of gratitude. Friendship has many meanings, encompasses many things, but recognizes few limitations. Life hands us many different things, good and bad. One of the greatest gifts we receive is the respect of a good friend. Some people divide others into categories. These are family, they say. These are friends. But being one doesn't necessarily mean they can't be both. Characters like Timmy, Robbie and Dave are like brothers to me ...
When people find out you are an Iceberg the most common question they ask is 'Why do you do it? I like to reply, 'Why don't you do it? Keith Posha Leslie always says: 'You are more than welcome to join us ... You can tell what people are thinking - It is too dam cold for swimming or They are bloody idiots! Small but determined group achieve the minimum 75 swims over 5 seasons. These people are the real' ICEBERGS
Real Icebergs also provide live acts, smart-ass pirate jokes and soulful songs by Gary and Lofty and dance by Ted who were witty and quick, too witty, too quick ... The iceberg club rivalry between Australia and the world has become the greatest rivalry in winter swimming clubs. What makes Bondi Iceberg stand out in such high iconic symbolism from others? Why does this club so persist? Lofty presents two extraordinary faces to the world: one that of a quiet fellow who likes to swim and drink and ponder things, and the other that of an absolute entertainer, a guy who sings, smokes cigarettes through his glass eye and jumps up and down on the floor ;-) Without something to care about like the survival and success of the club, we should lose the very spring of thought and action ... Two little boys had two little toys - There's room on my horse for two From the mouth of babes (now grown), comes infinite wisdom and compassion ... The boys play on wooden horses then as men fight on real ones. It teaches a lesson of loyalty. And this is what the Iceberg is all about ... It's not easy to define something that is both universal and unique.