They have posed nude for a calendar, dived into oceans and pools in freezing cold temperatures and even "walked" on water.
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But after 45 years of camaraderie, antics and fun, the home for winter swimming in Port Stephens is no more.
Sadly, due to rapidly dwindling numbers, the once famous Nelson Bay Blue Marlins Winter Swim Club has closed its doors for the last time, ending another Port institution.
Despite the best efforts to keep the legacy alive, the few remaining active members have decided to fold the club and distribute the funds among a host of Port charities including Yacaaba Centre, Rural Fire Service, suicide prevention and Tomaree Prostate Cancer Support Group.
"It has been a lot of fun mixed with some serious fundraising - estimated at $150,000 - but the time has come to close the doors on a Bay institution," said longtime president Terry O'Brien.
"Our numbers are dwindling and we cannot attract new members."
The men-only club was founded in June 1974, and since time members have swum in almost every body of water on the Tomaree peninsula, including Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay's former salt water pool, Tomaree Lodge ocean pool, Tomaree aquatic centre and Fingal beach.
Of the original Blue Marlins only one, Mick Baxter, remains and at its height in 1985, the unique club had 100 members.
In the '80s, members also competed at carnivals, state and national championships and even founded the Bay to Breakers 10km marathon run in Port Stephens.
"Fundraising was one of our main objectives," O'Brien said. "We've raised about $40,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter alone and we've donated a lot of money to the [Tomaree] hospital."
O'Brien and secretary Warren Diemer are life members. Longtime Marlins Mick Bradley and Brian Armstrong said friendship was just one of the benefits members enjoyed.
"Health, lifestyle, friendship plus you're out enjoying the beautiful foreshore," said Armstrong.
"There have been a few antics along the way," Bradley added. "I recall one nude member jumping into the freezing waters to raise money for a 'Packer Wacker' (defibrillator). On another occasion we had people stopped in their tracks when a member dressed in full Pope regalia walked on water [with the help of props]."