A NEW bay swimming group has started in Mornington to give more cold-water enthusiasts a chance for an early morning dip with friends.
Jacky Howgate, who started Mornington Morning Mermaids in January last year to help her recover after brain surgery and other health issues, said the swimming group attracted women of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds.
The group grew by word of mouth and Facebook posts and eventually comprised nearly 100 members who would gather three mornings a week on the beach for a dip and a chat. Along the way women came and went due to work commitments, dislike of the cold and some personal issues, but the group continued to grow and thrive.
Howgate said that by “investing” personal energy into the group and making sure she knew everyone’s name she was able to hold firm to her belief that everyone was worthy and should have a voice and be heard.
In return she was supported and encouraged in her own on-going physical and mental recovery and was lucky enough to be given several gifts, including a dolphin swim for her birthday.
Now she has started another group, named the Daily Dolphins because of her love of the friendly marine mammals.
Along with three former Mermaids, Howgate has had two close-up encounters with dolphins out at the first marker pole at Fishermans Beach, and so the Daily Dolphins was born.
The group is for women (maybe men too) who can swim several times a week. For more information call Howgate on 0416 860 239.
First published in the Mornington News – 19 July 2022
