Wreck2Reef success after two year hiatus

ONE of the Bellarine region’s most iconic open water swims, the Wreck2Reef, was brought back to life after a two-year absence at Indented Head on Saturday.

Tough easterly winds and a heavy chop did not stop around 250 competitors from tackling the 1.2km and 2.5km open swim events on February 12.

Last summer the Wreck2Reef, Indented Head Yacht Club’s largest fundraiser, was cancelled less than 24 hours before the race after Victoria went into a five-day COVID-19 statewide lockdown.

Wreck2Reef race director Andrew Dix said participants were glad to see the event return in 2022.

“The competitors are glad we ran it again, they are all happy to see us back running it after being cancelled at the last-minute last year with COVID,” Dix said.

“They acknowledged the conditions out there were pretty tough.

“That’s one of the worst easterlies you can get … that’s what open water swimming is all about.”

Melbourne’s Owen Leggett, a Brunswick resident, won the 2.5km event in 37 minutes and four seconds.

It was a mixed day for Leggett, who suffered a calf injury as he approached the 2.5km finish line and was unable to compete in the 1.2km swim.

“The calf went right on the edge of the water (at the finish), I fell over and hopped across the line to maintain a bit of dignity,” Leggett said.

Leggett finished ahead of second-placed Nigel Fanning (37:18), a former Ireland world triathlon competitor, and Ocean Grove local Mark Stone (37:23).

Bethany Forster was the first female across the finish line in the 2.5km in 46:54. Craig Davis won the 1.2km swim in 15:43 ahead of runner-up Nigel Fanning (15:58), while Mark Stone (16:17) finished third.

Danielle Tulloch won the female 1.2km swim in 17:21 ahead of Alexandra Cateriano and Katrina Morrow who came third.

Next summer’s Wreck2Reef is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023.