Wreck2Reef swimmers challenge the wind

BY HANNAH KENNY AND KLAUS NANNESTAD

PEOPLE of all ages and abilities swam Half Moon Bay on Saturday for the 11th annual Wreck2Reef.

Hosted by the Indented Head Yacht Club, the event raises funds each year for the club’s Young Tackers Program.

Choppy conditions proved difficult for those out on the water, but some impressive times were achieved by swimmers, particularly in the 1.2-kilometre open water swim classic.

Sofia Piaia won the female race while also being in the 17 and under category. She swam to victory in 16 minutes and 46 seconds.

The battle for second was close, with Samantha Cain finishing in 16 minutes and 56 seconds, just two seconds in front of third-placed Caitlin Huell.

In a post-swim interview uploaded to Wreck2Reef’s Instagram, Cain said the race was “really enjoyable”.

“It was obviously a little bit difficult going one way with the chop and then coming back. (It) was pretty nice to come back with it and then (it was) pretty much a hard slog all the way back to the beach – it was good, it was enjoyable.”

Robbe Dilissen won the men’s swim by more than half-a-minute, finishing in just 15 minutes and 37 seconds.

The event’s diversity was highlighted by the next two swimmers to cross the line, as second place went to Mark Stone, who was also in the 50-59 category, and third to Cooper Edwards, who was racing in the 17 and under category.

City of Greater Geelong councillor Jim Mason, who competed on the day, said it was a “wonderful feeling” to return to dry earth again once the paddling was over.

“It’s very rewarding and it is a relief also,” he said after the swim. “It was easier coming home with the waves behind me.”