Taking the plunge in the Yarra: on your first cold-water swim, it's OK to swear

In the depths of a Melbourne winter, when it's 4.6C on the bank and 6C in the river, the true believers gatherGet our weekend culture and lifestyle email and listen to our podcastI asked my friend if she wanted to come swimming in the Yarra/Birrarung - near the city - as dawn broke last week."It's safe, they test!" I said. She paused, and for a second I thought she would join me in this foolhardiness. Then she replied: "That's like saying drinking your own piss is safe." Continue reading...