Saturday was a huge day on the beach as the Noosa Summer Swim – and Weekend Sunrise – came to town.
The swim – the first in the Weekend Warriors Series – attracted around 700 entries for the various events, including a host of celebrities, such as Michael Klim.
Beach safety was looked after by Noosa Heads Surf Club with manager Anton Mogg saying, “When the organisers spoke to us and the senior club regarding hosting the event we were only too happy to do so. It’s a great promotion for Noosa and when opportunities like this arise we will always help.”
With so many competitors, plus families and onlookers, the big crowd on Main Beach ensured lifesavers on the afternoon patrol were kept busy. A total of 13 rescues were carried out – six were visitors who got into difficulties and the remaining seven were inexperienced pool swimmers who, despite having no surf swimming experience, still decided to have a go.
John Guise, a director and organiser for the event, said, “I want to give a big thank you to both the lifesaving club as well as the supporter club for their support. Their duty boat and rescue ski had all our events and swimmers well covered. It often happens that some swimmers get over confident and just don’t realize the big difference between pool and surf swimming.”
With the cooperation and support from the club Guise said the event will definitely be back on Main Beach next year.
Patrol One, who on Saturday afternoon performed the 13 rescues, has now been dubbed the “Wonderful Ones’’ by clubmates. Patrol Captain Carolyn Lansdown said, “At the change of tide a big sweep developed and with the big crowds, plus the swim events all members were on full alert. All went well.”
Tourism Noosa chief Damien Massingham said hosting the event was a coup for Noosa.
“Sponsored by Tourism Noosa, the Noosa Summer Swim is a new event for the destination. The ocean swim series event aligns well with Tourism Noosa’s strategy of promoting Noosa as a positive sporting destination and event organisers were pleased with competitor numbers in their first year, with over 700 competitors lining up for this ocean series event.
“The event also gained national coverage with Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise filming the weather crosses on Noosa Main Beach.” More pictures by Leah Cohen in Sports Picture Gallery.
