North Mackay Sinkers Whirl In Success At Whitehaven Beach Open Water Swim

From start to finish, the North Mackay Sinkers enjoyed the best that Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays had to offer, with so many smiles and great achievements both for the quicks and the first timers challenged by an open water swim (OWS).

The last Whitehaven beach OWS was in 2019 and it took the North Mackay Sinkers a few years to consider hosting the event themselves. In 2023 the idea gelled into an event to be co-hosted by the club, as well as Masters Swimming Qld to ensure its viability.

The uncertainty of weather before this event eased into a perfect day with light easterly breezes, a water temperature of 26 degrees and air temperature of 28 to make for perfect conditions. The excitement on the 30m transport vessel was high and the draw of the MS raffle, lucky swimmer prize and presentation of the pre-event raffle set the tone for the day.

Their swim ambassador was none other than Chloe McCardel, known as the Queen of the English Channel having crossed it a total of 44 times! Chloe generously gave her time to be in Airlie Beach to attend this swim before her week of engagements around Mackay. Chloe was able to mix with swimmers, conduct interviews, chat with the MC, participate as an official guest in the day’s activities as well as swim the 2k event.

The Sinkers swim committee for the event assisted and supported by MSQ and loads of club volunteers transitioned a thought into reality to deliver a quality event that is set to be a fixture on the MSQ and Sinkers calendar for years to come.

Some changes on the day saw the event move forward 30 minutes as swimmers were anxious to get into the day’s events without hesitation.

Over 100 swimmers that included event and water safety lined up for the new gun time. The 1km event was the first away at 1135am with some 40 plus participants and they were followed 10 minutes later by the 2km event with over 50 swimmers and the sight of the 100 swimmers and water safety on the 500m loop course was pleasing to see. Both starts were fast and clean with a sea of caps striking for the first turn buoy. Some club members gave up a swim to accompany some first time and returning swimmers to ease the way in the open water.

The returning swimmers that began as a trickle as the faster swimmers returned to the finish line soon gained momentum as the bulk of excited and exhausted swimmers streamed in. As the last swimmers approached the out of water finish, an arch of supporting finished swimmers and guests formed to welcome them back, and what a smile they had.

The event was designed by concept to welcome all swimmers into the joy of open water swimming and each and every competitor was presented a commemorative medal for their efforts.

The event awards were based on line honours for both Male and Female in both events for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Fantastic trophies were the order of the day and presented on the beach to smiling recipients.

The event was well attended by swimmers from near and far with a great mix of Masters and guests supported by event officials, volunteers and non-swimming guests.

Top Results:

1KM

Place Women Time Men Time

1st Kylie Smith 16:53 Ross Beaton 16:39

2nd Christina Scolaro 17:35 Steven Burchill 21:58

3rd Eloise Houghton 21:18 Arthur Douglas 22:24

2km

Place Women Time Men Time

1st Deanne Sanderson 29:52 Martin Banks 27:44

2nd Elizabeth Denyer 31:02 Billy Grogan 29:10

3rd Jane Eggins 31:14 Adrian Darveniza 29:13

Contributed By Dan Stampa

‍

The North Mackay Sinkers held a hugely successful and popular event last Sunday, Oct 6th at their Inaugural Whitehaven Beach open water swim. Check out their Facebook page online to view the latest updates and results. Photos supplied

‍