Fremantle Shivering Shags was formed on Sunday 30 May 1976 when after weeks of talking about it, 17 guys got out of bed that cold winter’s morning and had their first competition swim at Kevin Duff’s pool, on Canning Highway, Bicton.

Club foundation members came from the Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club, the Fremantle Rugby League Club and the Melville Water Polo Club, all with the general intent of maintaining a basic level of fitness over the winter months, through swimming.

In 1981 the Club moved to the Melville Water Polo Club, on the river, at Bicton, where we remain. Unfortunately, there was actually no useable pool at MWPC until 1982, so swimming at Duff’s continued. Those initial years at Bicton were ‘awkward’, with the on-going building works, and issues with the pool and water quality, but now we enjoy one of the best vistas for our Sunday morning swims.

We currently have about 45 full members who enjoy a season, usually of about 24 official swims, commencing late April-early May, and ending mid-to-late September. The first swim commences at 8.00am, with pool-time ending about 9.30am, followed by our ‘Shags’ breakfast, and our weekly meeting to update members on what’s happening.

We generally have two away swims each season – at Cottesloe Crabs and at Somerset Sea Snakes – and they return the visit, which adds to the camaraderie within the State Winter Swimming competition.

Visiting swimmers are always welcome.