Wreck2Reef goes gangbusters in Indented Head

A RECORD number of swimmers arrived on the shores of Indented Head on Saturday for the biggest Wreck2Reef event to date.

About 480 participants took to the water on the weekend for the largest turnout in the event’s 15-year history – an increase of more than 100 swimmers from the previous Wreck2Reef record of 350 at last year’s event.

Indented Head Yacht Club president John Walter was ecstatic with the weekend turnout, as the club-run event invited swimmers from all over the state to the Bellarine.

“Overall it was a really successful day, we as a club are really pleased with how this year’s event went.

“It surpassed our expectations on numbers and this year and the 1.2km and 2.5 swims were really well-received as well as the new 600 metre Salty Bitches Yellow Pole Swim.”

Katia Kurenysheva took home the 300m Kids Dash in 5:23, Terrence Chi was first swimmer home in the 800m Novice Swim (13:29), Mark Stone completed the 1.2km swim first in a second over 15 minutes (15:01), Owen Leggett took a little over half an hour to win the 2.5km Swim (32:23), and Primrose Hyde took out the inaugural Yellow Pole race in 7:14.

Mr Walter says the Wreck2Reef event continues to play a pivotal role for the yacht club as its major fundraiser each year.

“For a long time the committee of the club has tried to make the club more committee-oriented which is why we’ve reached out to groups like the Salty Bitches, because we want more community organisations to use our club.

“We’re not just a yacht club, although sailing will continue being an integral part of what we do, we actively welcome more water activities based out of our base.

“As a result, the Wreck2Reef has become a far broader reaching event.”

Click HERE for full Wreck2Reef results.

Check out our photos from the day below.

Photos by Michael Chambers