Dive in for New Year’s Eve swim

By David Kavanagh | posted on December 20, 2019

KEEN swimmers will usher in the new year with a splash at the end of the month when they take to the sea for Albany’s annual New Year’s Eve open swim.

Around 100 people are expected to dive into the waters off Middleton Beach from 7.30am on December 31 for a series of timed races varying in length and difficulty.

Albany Surf Life Saving Club President Rob Mason said the popular event, now in its third year, was a great way to finish off 2019.

“The idea is that it’s meant to be a friendly and uncomplicated sort of swim,” he said.

“We want it to be really inclusive, so it’s open to young and old, slower and faster swimmers and elite athletes.

“Everyone’s welcome, there’s no age restriction on the short swim, and we just ask that little kids are chaperoned by a parent or guardian.”

Participants have the option of partaking in a 400m swim within Middleton Beach’s swimming enclosure, or 1.25km, 2.5km and 5km legs in open water.

Mr Mason said the different options appealed to a variety of swimmers.

“There’s a group of people that really love the short distance and love to swim within the enclosure,” he said.

“On the other end of the spectrum, there are other people that really love the more difficult 5km leg.

“Apart from the Harbour Swim down here, which is 4km long, there are really not many long distance open water swims even within a couple of hundred kilometres.”

Those interested can register at albanysurfclub.com.au

Early bird pricing cuts off on Sunday and online registrations close December 30.