People choose to celebrate Australia day in a variety of ways. Many people in Merimbula choose to honour the day by jumping of a bridge and floating down stream with the tide.
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On Australia Day 2019 ,the popular tradition saw people of all ages coming out in droves to take the plunge off the Merimbula causeway bridge.
But not everyone was keen for the jump.
The banks of the Merimbula lake were crawling with punters and their brightly coloured inflatables. Many of the floaters eased their way calmly into the water from the boat ramp and other entry points along the lake. Amongst the mix of blow up floaties there were unicorns, Aussie flag thongs, flamingoes and more than a few good old fashioned rubber rings.
Some more inventive rafts could be spotted amongst the array of bright colours flowing calmly down stream.
Graeme Pratt from Lochiel drove into the busy boat ramp car park with a bath strapped to his roof rack. Dressed in a fluorescent pink wig and bright green tutu skirt he swiftly un-tied his bath tub complete with a homemade rudder and replica life jacket stubbie holder and pushed it into the water.
“It floats,” he shouted with glee.
“I got the bath for five bucks from the tip and put it together last night. I built the rudder this morning.”
It seems a few handy floaters had been busy that morning or perhaps that week. A deck complete with BBQ and bar and another a floating backyard were among highly commended inventions that could been seen turning heads as they sailed by.
On the causeway people sat either boldly or nervously as they made the decision to jump or not. Some people flipped with ease whilst others took moments to build up the courage and finally took the plunge hesitantly. There was an aura of relief, accomplishment and joy once they finally hit the water many waiting for their friends to splash down next to them to share in the achievement.
John a local in his forties from Merimbula said this was the first time he had jumped off the bridge since he was a “young fella.” He took a deep breath and sprung into action throwing in his shark floatie and then himself seconds after.
He splashed into the water and resurfaced with a huge grin almost as wide as his sharks. Victorious he swam out of the water and made his way through the crowds on the bridge. Past the sea of onlookers and jumpers he climbed on top of the railing and took the plunge for the second time round.
And so it went. For a couple of hours at least, while the high tide lasted. Finally the lake was filled with a rainbow of floaties and people who had come together with one common theme: to dive in, breathe in the moment, and float merrily down the stream.