Surf, sand and surf life saving

MORE THAN 1,000 swimmers took part in the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club’s Rock2Ramp event at Point Roadknight Beach yesterday.

The ocean swim and family event is now in its 28th year and has long been considered a highlight of the town’s calendar.

 

 

Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club president David Marsh said yesterday’s event was “fabulous” and celebrated the large turnout.

“We had a total of just over 1,040 swimmers which was up on last year,” he said.

“[There were] people from all round Australia and a couple of overseas entrants which was fabulous.”

 

 

Held against the backdrop of the Anglesea cliffs, the Rock2Ramp competition consists of five event categories.

In the open age 600m swim, Campbell Batchelor took home the win in the men’s event with a time of 8:56, beating silver medallist Ashton Clements by more than 1 minute.

In the women’s competition, Zoe McKenna claimed the top title for the second year in a row with a time of 8:45, an improvement on last year’s effort by almost 70 seconds.

 

Dakoda Mathers took the gold in the women’s open age 2.5km, completing the swim with a time of 43:20, and after taking second place in the men’s event last year, Matt Gilling celebrated his win with a time of 36:39.

Mathers backed up her performance in the 1.2km swim, taking second in 18-29 category.

Only 17 seconds separated the event’s three medallists with Surf Lifesaving Iron Woman Naomi Scott ultimately taking the gold with a time of 17:22.

In the men’s 1.2km competition, Conor Hayes from the 12-17 category took home the top honour and Robbe Dilissen was the open winner with a time of 16:50.

 

 

Anglesea Surf Club member Sam Hume once again dominated in the event’s Surf ‘n’ Turf competition with a time of 45:04.

The category is open to competitors who complete both the twilight Roo Run the night before and the 1.2km swim at the Rock2Ramp event.

Hume’s daughter, Jasmine, took out the win in the women’s category with a time of 50:52.

 

 

Youngsters also had the opportunity to get involved in the day with the Kids Dash.

An untimed race with no placegetters, the dash was held over 200m for its 7–9-year-old participants and 300m for 10-12-year-olds.

 

Marsh said all the funds raised from the event support the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, allowing it to continue delivering its service to the local community.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” Marsh said.

“All the funds go directly to supporting our volunteer lifesavings on the beach, be that on patrol or training to be on patrol. Funds go directly back into doing what we do.”

Race director, Tom Cullen, said: “Whether this was your first-time swimming in an ocean swim, or you were a seasoned swimmer, everyone had a great day.”