Loungeville
Dambuster Water Rats

Dambuster Water Rats

Meet the Dambustin’ Water Rats: Loungeville’s Wild Swimming Wonders

In sleepy Loungeville, where the most exciting event is usually the annual bedmaking contest, a group of sprightly pensioners is making quite a splash. Meet the Dambustin’ Water Rats, the coolest crew of wild swimmers you’ll ever see. These local legends have been diving into the crystal-clear waters of Carr Mill Dam’s Sandy Bay since they were knee-high to a pike fish, and they show no signs of slowing down.

They’ve been wild swimming since the days when television was black and white. Their adventures in the dam’s pristine waters are the stuff of local folklore. These aren’t your average pensioners; they’re more like aquatic superheroes, minus the capes but with plenty of budgie smuggler trunks.

While most people their age are content with a gentle paddle in the shallow end, the Water Rats take things to the next level. They’ve been known to surf the overflow at nearby Happy Valley, a feat that would make even the most seasoned surfer raise an eyebrow. Picture this: a group of septuagenarians riding the waves with the grace of dolphins and the enthusiasm of teenagers. It’s a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

Not content with just surfing, the Water Rats also indulge in some high-flying fun from the girder bridge over Sankey Brook. With the agility of Olympic divers, or so they claim after a few pints, they leap off the bridge, executing somersaults and belly flops with equal aplomb. It’s like watching a synchronised swimming routine.

After a vigorous swim, the Water Rats retire to the Boathouse, with its great food and selection of ales. Here, they indulge in copious quantities of beer, proving that you can indeed have your cake and eat it too. Their choice of attire is another talking point. While most people their age might opt for modest vintage swimsuits, the Water Rats prefer sitting at the Boathouse picnic tables wearing just their budgie smugglers. It’s a bold fashion statement that leaves little to the imagination and a lot to the local gossipers.

So, what’s the secret to their youthful exuberance? According to the Water Rats, it’s a combination of wild swimming, good company, and a healthy dose of humour. They’ve been friends for decades, and their bond is as strong as ever. They support each other through thick and thin, and their shared love for wild swimming keeps them young at heart.

They have their own set of rules, which they follow religiously. These include “No belly flops before noon,” “Always bring a spare pair of goggles,” and “Never, ever, swim on an empty stomach or wear skid-marked budgie smugglers.” It’s all part of the fun and camaraderie that makes this group so special.

In a world where youth is often celebrated, the Dambustin’ Water Rats remind us that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down. They’re living proof that age is just a number and that you’re never too old to have a good time. Whether they’re surfing the overflow, diving from the girder bridge, or enjoying a pint in the Boathouse, the Water Rats are living life to the fullest.

So here’s to the Dambustin’ Water Rats—the coolest crew of wild swimmers you’ll ever see. Long may they continue to make waves in Loungeville! 

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