Shutterbugs with FujiFilm Quicksnap: Dive into connection with the Wednesday Ocean Waders

We’re supposedly more ‘connected’ than ever, yet loneliness continues to rise. And making new friends as an adult? That can feel harder than ever. It’s something Joanna Halley knows well. After moving to Torquay, Victoria, in 2021, she found herself craving the kind of connection that doesn’t come from a screen, but from shared experiences and showing up for one another.

So, alongside her son Jesse, she started the Wednesday Ocean Waders (WOW): a cold-water swimming group that welcomes anyone willing to swap a warm bed for a pre-dawn plunge. What began as a handful of brave souls standing shoulder-deep in winter water has grown into a thriving community built on companionship and mugs of hot coffee shared afterwards.

Each Wednesday, members gather in the half-light before sunrise to embrace the invigorating challenge of the ocean, then linger for conversation, laughter and connection. We asked founder Joanna to tell us more about the group, and WOW member Janice to document one of their first winter swims using a Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof camera.

Joanna Halley / Wednesday Ocean Waders founder

WOW began with a simple idea – after my son Jesse and I had been to a cold water therapy and breathwork course. We felt so energised afterwards and thought it would be fun to bring people together into the ocean to experience the physical and emotional benefits. We started WOW in June 2021 with a handful of brave people standing shoulder-deep in the ocean for five minutes. I was terrified. It was pitch black and the air temperature was only 7 degrees. Afterwards, we felt like warriors and knew we’d be back the following week.

The Wednesday Ocean Waders was purposefully built with connection, inclusivity, and community as the focus. My goal was always to welcome people no matter their gender, age or background. Everyone is encouraged to show up as they are, to feel supported, and share in the experience of the ocean together. I’ve moved homes many times throughout adulthood and know from experience how tricky meeting new people can be. I wanted to make it easy for people to join in.

Wednesday Ocean Waders is made up of people from all walks of life – different ages, backgrounds, professions, fitness levels, and life experiences – none of that really matters. Some come for community, some for wellbeing, some for challenge and others because they love the ocean. What makes WOW special is that there’s no ‘type’ of person you have to be to belong there. But I can say WOW folk have a special something – a sense of adventure and a real glimmer of fun. In a short time, we’ve become good mates and lifelong friendships have formed. Starting the day knowing you have overcome a challenge and had so much fun at the same time sets you up for a great day.

Everyone is encouraged to show up as they are, to feel supported, and share in the experience of the ocean together.

I have very fond memories of the first time we celebrated the Winter Solstice as a group. We stood in a circle in the dark and the cold under the soft light of lanterns and sang together. It was really very beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. It was the first of many wonderful moments that touched my heart.

The strong community and sense of belonging is at the heart of what I believe makes Wednesday Ocean Waders so meaningful. Many people have told me that the group has changed their life for the better. Personally, I can’t imagine life without this amazing group of people. I was still quite new to Torquay when the group began – I didn’t know many people but now I feel that I truly belong. There is always a lot of laughter, deep conversations over coffees, tears, quiet moments and a little craziness all glued together with the love of the ocean and the shared experience with the crew. One of the beautiful things about the group is some days I am in the middle of our post-swim coffee enjoying multiple conversations. Others, all I need is to quietly sit back and enjoy soaking up the group’s energy. There is no expectation, which is so refreshing.

Growing up in the UK, I still remember the pure joy of summer days at the beach as a young child – splashing in the water, digging in the sand, sun on my skin and feeling completely free. Even then, I knew the beach and the ocean was my happy place.

The strong community and sense of belonging is at the heart of what I believe makes Wednesday Ocean Waders so meaningful. Many people have told me that the group has changed their life for the better.

Janice Stewart-Brown / WOW Photographer

Taking the photos was an interesting challenge. It was a gentle reminder to not have expectations as they often lead us to disappointment. This week was the first week of winter and there were no beautiful sunrises, the water was cloudy, the sky grey and wet and the wind brisk. But the group did what they always do – have fun, laugh and accept the challenge.

Taking the photos was a welcome distraction on a challenging morning when most of us said we’d actually considered staying home in bed when we woke and heard the wind and rain! The camera was easy to use. The carrying strap was a welcome addition, too.

♡ This is a Better Together Peppermint Partnership, where we team up with brands we love. This story was created with support from our friends at Fujifilm. Their Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof camera makes it easy to capture those memories and moments that make a swim worthwhile, whether it’s a quick dip or day spent communing with the corals. To find out how to recycle your Fujifilm QuickSnap in Australia check here or drop off to any major camera retailer that participates in camera recycling programs.