Star shares Wreck2Reef swim diary in lead up to big event

AS THIS summer’s Wreck2Reef at Indented Head draws nearer, Bellarine based open-water swimming star Georgie Mervin provides some vital pre-race tips.

Mervin, a Wreck2Reef event ambassador in 2020, won the female 40-49 age group 1.2km swim in a time of 18 minutes and 37 seconds. On the same day she backed up in the 2.5km swim in 44:37 and was the fourth female overall.

The Wreck2Reef, Indented Head Yacht Club’s largest annual fundraiser, did not go ahead last year after Victoria was plunged into a five day state-wide lockdown in mid-February. To register for February 12, 2022 Wreck2Reef 1.2km and 2.5km open water swims log onto ihyc.com.au/wreck-2-reef-event for more information.All competitors must pre-register – no on the day registrations will be accepted with competitor numbers capped at 500.

GEORGIE MERVIN’S WRECK2 REEF SWIM DIARY

SWIM TIPS AROUND COVID AND PRE-EVENT – If you are super serious you will hit the pool like three times a week and you might throw in an open water swim. I am doing (Wreck2Reef) for fun, the next few weeks I am not going to the pool and with kids I don’t want to be booking lanes through COVID. I put on a wetsuit and head down to the Barwon River and jump in. To start with I might swim 50 metres and jog back and do that a few times. Then gradually I swim further and cover the distance and throw in a few fast efforts and build up. I will head over to Indented Head and jump in and have a swim. The day before the event I like to take it easy.

SLEEP – The golden rule is sleep is the most important in your recovery. Two nights before the event is when you need your best sleep. You need a good sleep all week, the night before a race you never sleep that well because you are nervous and excited about the race.

DIET – I wake up on the day with a cup of coffee. I keep the diet simple and have a banana and water before the race.

IN BETWEEN RACES – When you finish the first race there is a ‘feeding station’, I have some water and another banana and a bit of fruit, just simple food. You don’t want to try to digest a heap of food as you are getting your muscles to go flat out again.

POST-EVENT – Have a good lunch, a big sandwich and some chocolate milk and put the legs up.