Swimmers brave wild weather in Danger Ocean Swim

More than 1,200 people took to the water on a windy January 4, the best numbers the event has seen for several years.

Jan Juc SLSC fundraising director Brad Papworth said he was pleased with how the club responded to ensure the event was run safely in difficult conditions.

“We had done a lot of planning and in the lead up to the event we were mapping the weather daily. So, we knew it was coming and were able to adapt and change the course so we could complete the event.”

The Danger 1000 race had more than 650 competitors alone.

Mr Papworth said in addition to the amount of people, there was a “very high calibre” of competition.

Seven-time Pier to Pub winner Sam Sheppard finished the kilometre in just 11 minutes and 30 seconds to win the male category. Archie

Vernon crossed the line 14 seconds later to finish second.

Sophie Thomas followed up her Rock2Ramp victory a week earlier by comfortably winning the female category. She finished in 12 minutes and 29 seconds.

Steph Reade won the female category in the 500-metre and set the quickest time out of any competitor. She completed the race in six minutes and 53 seconds.

Darcy McKenna won the male category, finishing in six minutes and 58 seconds.

The 2.5-kilometre race was very closely contested.

The Male category won by Mark Stone, who finished just one second ahead of second placed Michael Skrodzki, who in turn finished a second ahead of third-placed Timothy Boness.

Sienna Stone took victory in the female category, finishing three seconds ahead of Emily Selig.

A five-kilometre race was also held for the first time in the event’s history.

Robbe Dilissen finished in an hour, two minutes and 21 seconds to win the male category. Mia Foster won the female category, finishing in an hour, 13 minutes and four seconds.