Diving in: registrations open for 2021 Wreck2Reef

THE Wreck2Reef will officially make the plunge next year in welcome news to open water swimmers across the region following the cancellation of several other events.

The swim will be capped at 500 entries, but with the likes of the Queenscliff 180 and Point Lonsdale’s Rip View Swim Classic being cancelled and the Pier to Pub going virtual, having the Wreck2Reef going ahead this year is a huge boost to the community and swimmers alike.

In further good news, this will be the first time the swim will be a part of the Great Victorian Swim Series, which will see competitors earn points for the series.

Registrations for the Wreck2Reef are open, with just over two months until race day.

The 11th instalment of the swim, which is held at Indented Head, will take place on February 13 and will look a little different to previous years as the event abides with COVIDSafe restrictions.

The Wreck2Reef will only hold its two main events this time: the 2.5km swim and the 1.2km swim. Swimmers will begin in smaller groups, with that number still to be decided.

The Indented Head Yachting Club helps run the swim and event co-ordinator Andrew Dix said it was great to be able to hold the Wreck2Reef again, given the uncertainty throughout the year.

“We have a COVIDSafe plan in accordance with Victorian Government protocols to ensure the safety of competitors, spectators and officials,” he said.

“There were times when we thought we wouldn’t be able to do anything. We’re really looking forward to providing the swimmers a quality event to compete in.

“We have enough confidence that we can put the event on … we’ll be one of the few swims that do.

“We’re a smaller swim, so we’re able to operate an event.”

There has been huge interest since registrations opened on December 1, with 180 swimmers already signed up.

Anyone wishing to register can do so at ihyc.com.au/wreck-2-reef-event, with no registrations being taken on the day, given COVIDSafe restrictions.

To enter the 1.2km swim will cost $40, while the 2.5km swim costs $60 but also gives competitors entry to the 1.2km swim.