It has to be said: relatively nice weather before and after the weekends all winter, and mostly drizzly weather on Saturday and Sunday. This past weekend was more or less the same scenario, with quite a bit of rain early on Saturday and Sunday morning, until the sun came out on Sunday around 10 a.m. and happily ensured another great turnout. Everyone was warmly welcomed by the Easter bunny, and given some eggs.
Surfers Paradise's annual Easter Dive attracts young and old, residents , second stayers and day trippers who descend to the coast especially for it and make a day of it.
Among them also the "pros" with again a large delegation of the Bruges Ice Bears. Also 2 ladies who make their ice diving a weekly tradition throughout the winter...and of course a large group of enthusiasts who dive into the 8 degrees cold water "just for fun".
Also many surfers who, for once, leave their wetsuits on the hook and in swimwear only realise the natural elements they face every week.
After the Yoga session and the joint and busily attended warm-up under a bright sun at a temperature of 13 degrees, everyone dove into the water after the obligatory group photo. Some up to their knees, some up to hip height, but most still went head first, while after about 15 minutes the water was again lonely and deserted.
Not so on the beach, however, where tunes echoed from the Red Bull Big Bob, where everyone could warm up around the fire bowls and feast on sandwiches made by Beenhouwerij Hillewaere. Also hot waffles, shots of ginger, chai tea and gin. All this under the watchful eye of Alderman for Sport Tine Gobert, who came to support but promised to be in the water next year.
There was a long afterglow in the sunshine, thinking that the rain that first fell on the peloton in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen would soon reach the coast. And so it happened...
After a wet weekend back to a beautiful Monday ?
Next week Easter dig and Easter brunch, everyone welcome !
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