 The Big Swim finish line Lucky winners of Pacific Swims prizes are off to either the Vanuatu and Espiritu Santo Aore swims to be held in June, or the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival at Plantation Resort on Malolo Lailai Island to be held in October.
The first event on the trip was the Danger 1000 at Torquay, Victoria on 17th January, hosted by the Jan Juc Surf Club.
The weekend’s activities started with the Bells Bash on the Friday evening, a choice of 4km or 8km run along a cliff path from Jan Juc Surf Club to Bells Beach and back.
The Danger 1000 Swim gets its name from the point that shelters Torquay’s Front Beach, also known as Cosy Corner, and it is a great venue for the 1km event.
 Nick Cordner wins the Danger 1000 The waves went off a little differently to many swims with the elite wave going last, so everyone got to see the top swimmers in action, which added to the atmosphere. There were fantastic prizes and lots of give aways too, with great support from Jan Juc Surf Club and event sponsors.
Next up was the Big Swim Palm Beach to Whale Beach on 25th January, and a big swim it turned out to be with rolling swells making it an interesting start, getting out through the surf at Palm Beach.
Even more interesting was getting in at Whale Beach, with some truly uplifting ocean swimming in between.
Prizes were drawn to our swims in both Vanuatu and Fiji at the award presentation.
The day after was Australia Day, and what better place to be on the day but at the Whale Beach SLSC for the Australia Day barbie?  Off to Fiji thanks to Pacific Swims
The final swim in our Aussie trio was the Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic at Manly on February 1st .
SMH/Fairfax Events recently took over the organisation and running of this iconic ocean swim, retaining many of the features of the much loved Cole Classic.
SMH’s involvement in ocean swimming is a huge boost for the sport, activity, passion, whatever you’d like to call it.
The pre-race promotion, unprecedented for an ocean swim in Australia, attracted a record field of over 3,500 swimmers, with many newcomers to ocean swimming.
 Big Swim - Pacific Swims winner Barton Lynch
What a great time for anyone with an inclination to swim to be visiting Australia with swims every weekend, and special summer events like the Sydney Festival throughout January?
Our European, American, New Zealand and Pacific swimmers may well consider planning a trip down under, or across the Tasman or Pacific, at this time of year to combine a great holiday with some famous Australian swims.
See our calendar for a list of events still to run, or contact us for further details.
Gallery:
Pictured above (top left to right) Cole Classic (pics 1-3), Tom O'Connor, who is a frequent Vanuatu Ocean Swim competitor with Jane Gates, wife of the late Tim Gates, and Tim's Godson and Danger1000 winner Nick Cordner, Danger1000 winners, Manly local, and frequent Fiji Ocean Swim competitor Clair Simpson at The Big Swim. |
