Ready to Rip: Lonny swim classic to notch up 35 years

MORE than 1000 people will take on the Rip View Swim Classic today at Point Lonsdale.

The event will mark the 35th anniversary of the Point Londsdale SLSC classic which not only attracts local recreational swimmers, but also the “best of the best” including members of the Australian swimming team.

The event will feature the classic 3.8km course from Santa Casa Queenscliff and through the curve of Lonsdale Bay, the 1.4km standard race and the 600m Groyne2Groyne event to encourage younger swimmers or novices to compete.

Point Lonsdale SLSC swim director Murray Keeble said excitement was high for the club’s biggest event of the year.

“We are really pumped for it. It’s a big deal and we have certainly been working hard to get organised for it,” he said.

“It’s a great way to start off the new year, to do something good for yourself.

“We are really trying to encourage families to get involved. Mum and Dad might do the 1.4km or 3.8km, and the kids can jump in and do the 600m.

“It’s a really family friendly event with the little waves rolling through and is a really happy swim for all.”

Mr Keeble said the event would complement many other summer swim events along the Bellarine and Surf Coast.

“It’s all spread out really well with us just coming after the Anglesea and Torquay swim classics,” he said.

“You’ve then obviously got Portsea and Lorne afterwards, so this is a great way to get prepared for those bigger ones.

“We think we’ve got one of the best places for ocean swimming, so we really hope to see plenty of local faces and many from across the state.”

For more information and to enter the event, head to rvsc.org.au/