Shark Island Swim and sponsor Channel 7

2010 Report

posted: 4 June 2010

The events were held on Sunday 14th March 2010. A fine sunny day but a south easterly wind had been blowing all the previous night.

The course set and the buoys were laid by Richard, Daniel and the I R B teams with their trusty GPS. Our official starter Mrs Faye Marshall, wife of the Late Bill Marshall OAM, got the 793 swimmers away in 3 waves, wearing their EYELINE swimcaps and timing bands. The results of the 2.5 km swim are:

MALE
1st Chris Allum
2nd Loui Friess
3rd Kazimir Boskovic
FEMALE
1st Stacey Hansford (Sue Ezzy trophy)
2nd Louise Stevenson
3rd Claudia Friess

The "Bill Stafford" trophy for the best time for swimmers 65 years and over went to Bruce Baird.

From the 13 age categories, male and female, another 78 swimmers won prizes of EYELINE products, thanks to Shaunn Ryan from A H Pearce Swim products and gift vouchers.

Although not everyone won a prize, watching swimmers finish the event through our famous Frank Doran frameworks from Scott O’Donnell from A and W Signs – made all the work and effort worthwhile. Smiling faces, personal bests and for some just to finish was an achievement and all deserved a well earned POWERADE.

Two special "lucky door" prizes of an overseas trip, airfares and accommodation to Fiji and Vanuatu were won by Matthew Perfrement (Fiji) and John Macartney (Vanuatu).

The 1 km FUN swim was fun. The shorter course held just off Cronulla beach is designed for younger swimmers and others as an introduction to open ocean water swimming.

With Mr Michael Roye our Event Referee in place overseeing the proceedings, Mr Barry Ezzy our Patron of Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club sent off 373 swimmers.

The results of the 1 km swim are:

MALE
1st Daniel Schwizler
2nd Kyle Druery
3rd Ryan Huckle
FEMALE
1st Shivan Street
2nd Louise Steveson
3rd Anna Barnes

Thanks go out to sponsors Commisure, ACE gutters – Don Anderson, Salmat – Michael Pitfield, Veolia Water, R H Graphics – Ron Hammond, Fiji and Vanuatu Ocean Swims – Paul McCoy, Sutherland Shire Leader, Restaurant and bar JD’s, Restaurant and bar 2230.

"On the day" entries were less than in previous years due to online entries and payment set up through our own website. Apparel sales on the promenade and the barbeque in the park were all coordinated as just part of the great overall job.

Guests and sponsors invited to attend the festivities were looked after by the Ladies Auxiliary in the C O J Monro Room which turned into the Sunday Bar for all volunteers.

The Shark Island Committee and surf club members can proudly say that the record numbers of swimmers gave the surf club funds needed to purchase surf living equipment used every day on our beach.

I look forward to running the event again next year with the same team and support around me. The date is set for Sunday March 20th 2011. Until then – keep swimming.

GLENN CARTER, Race Convenor

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