The Brighton Icebergers or Brighton Icebergs are an Australian swimming team based at the Baths Health Club in Brighton, Victoria. They swim in the sea pool in the early morning, when the water temperature can be as low as 7 °C (45 °F).[1][2] A larger contingent swims at the nearby Royal Brighton Yacht Club in the open waters of Port Phillip Bay,[3][4][5][6][7]
Their swims include a weekly Sunday 1.4-kilometre (1,500 yd) "inside no-brainer" alongside Middle Brighton pier,[8] and have organized annual competitive events including the 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) John Locco Winter Invitational, the Greg Fountain Winter Pier to Pub,[9] the Iceberger World Championship of the Bay Swim, and the Olsen Hooper Summer Handicap Swim, and awarded an Iceberger International Swimmer of the Year.[10]
History
editThe club's long-time organizer is former school teacher John Locco, elected to Brighton Council in 1984 when the Brighton swimming baths had been in danger of closing, and later served as Mayor as well getting into a fist-fight with Baths Manager Mark Greene.[1][3] He is said to have founded the club in the 1980s,[10][11][12] but swims were already taking place in the 1950s.[1] In 2015 the Royal Brighton Yacht Club caused a dispute by seeking to formalize governance of the Icebergers.[10]
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Brighton Baths Health Club, where the Icebergers swim -
Inside of the Brighton Baths -
The Royal Brighton Yacht Club near the Baths Health club -
Brighton beach -
Long term Icebergers organiser John Locco -
Middle Brighton Pier outside Yacht club
Media
editBritish-Australian comedian David Brooks made a comic documentary about the group in 2013, originally titled Discovering the Icebergers and later An Iceberger with the Lot: From Bury to Brighton.[13][14] Another documentary about the group, titled Icebergers and directed by Darcy Newton, won best documentary at the 2020 Melbourne Indie Film Festival.[15][16]
Don Warner's Beyond The Tip: Tales of the Icebergers of Brighton was published in 2019.[17]
Notable swimmers
edit- Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria from 2010 to 2013[8][10][12]
- David Brooks, comedian[18]
- Dan Canta, who joined the club at 13[12] and at 17 became the youngest male to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming[19]
- Max Hudghton, former player for St Kilda Football Club[2]
- Stewart Loewe, former player for St Kilda Football Club[2]
- Andrew Robb, former Liberal politician[1]
- John Van Wisse, swimmer and trainer[19]
References
edit- ^ a b c Elder, John (10 July 2010). "No winter of discontent for Icebergers lured to the sea". The Age. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Burin, Margaret (3 October 2016) [22 July 2015]. "In pictures: The icy addiction of swimming in winter". ABC News. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ a b Lucas, Clay (11 December 2005). "Icebergers taking the heat of competition". The Age. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ Precel, Nicole (14 January 2014). "10 ways to know you're a real Melbourne Baysider". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 25 December 2020 – via Herald Sun.
- ^ "Brighton Icebergers: What it's like to swim in the bay at dawn". Herald Sun. 6 July 2019. (Subscription required).
- ^ Our History Brighton Icebergers
- ^ Royal Brighton Yacht Club and Brighton Baths Health Club Google Maps
- ^ a b Nick Leys (28 November 2010). "Brighton Iceberger, next Premier? Ted Baillieu says he's 'there are lots of votes still out there'". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. 17 November 2004. p. 1643.
- ^ a b c d Mickelburough, Peter (2 May 2015). "Icebergers and yacht club in battle of Brighton". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ Ep #005 – John Locco, Onshore podcast, Oceanfit.
- ^ a b c "Brighton Icebergers youngest recruit Den Canta, 13, plunges in". Herald Sun. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Icebergers with the Lot – Video Shoot Melbourne". MediaLight Studios. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (28 August 2013). "An Iceberger with the lot, from Red Faces to cold feet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ "Winner: Best documentary". Facebook. Melbourne Indie Film Festival. 27 August 2020.
- ^ "Melbourne Indie Film Festival 2020 – Award Winners Short Films". March 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ "Tales of the Icebergers – Podcast". Southern FM. March 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ^ Richardson, Mark (18 July 2012). "Straight from the Heart: Brooksy Is Out There". Melbourne Observer. p. 4.
- ^ a b Andrews, Jon (15 October 2016). "Brighton Iceberger Dan Canta is making waves, taking out the Triple Crown of endurance swimming". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 25 December 2020 – via Herald Sun.
External links
edit- Brighton Icebergers at Royal Brighton Yacht Club
- Icebergers at Brighton Baths Health Club Sea Baths & Gymnasium