Perfect conditions for swim

HELENSBURGH-STANWELL Park and Coalcliff Surf Clubs are celebrating after the most successful Ocean Challenge in the event’s seven-year history.

The event was held in absolute perfect sea and land conditions.

Over three hundred swimmers registered with 287 swimmers taking on the only true Ocean Challenge in the Ocean Swim annual calendar.

Water safety was once again the Helensburgh Stanwell Park and Coalcliff Surf Clubs number one priority and was carried out in above standard requirements with the assistance of off-shore rescue boats and the Illawarra Surf Lifesaving Branch and volunteer rescue patrol boats.

The event would not be possible without the support of MBF Travel Insurance, Grimma Bros. Fruit and Vegetable Helensburgh, Hahn Super Dry, Ocean Swims.com website and Tyr sportswear, along with the support of the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park and Coalcliff surf lifesaving members.

First home in the 2.3km swim was Mitchell Fagerstrom in 32 minutes 05 seconds closely followed by Stanwell Park surf club member Ryan O’Grady.

Luane Rowe won her fourth women’s crown, followed by Cara Mura. It was pleasing to note that the first four swimmers to finish were in the 14-19 category.

In other categories first female home 20-29 Kendall Strachan and male Rhett Russell, 30-39 Tanya Green and Sean Green, 40-49 Leonie McKenzie-Hicks and Ronald Massar, 50-59 Joanne Danne and Phil Hatten and the 60 and over Betty Ann Barnett and Cyril Baldock.

The Ocean Swim committee and Helensburgh Stanwell Park surf club congratulate all swimmers who participated and extend sincere thanks to all those who assisted and look forward to the 2009 Ocean Challenge which will form part of the “Hahn Super Dry” series.

Meanwhile, the third annual Shellharbour Ocean Swim will be held this Saturday, April 19.

The race will start at Shellharbour Boat Harbour, at 11am.

The field for the 1.2km event will head from Shellharbour Boat Harbour north around Cowries headland, following the foreshore to North Shellharbour Beach.

Wet suits are not generally required.

Enter online www.oceanswims.com or on the day at Shellharbour Surf Club from 8:30am.