THE COFFS Harbour region’s annual Ocean Swim, locally known as Jetty Swim, takes place on March 28.

This year is the first year the event is being run by Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club (SSLSC) since the move to Sydney by previous organisers since 2013, Village Sports.

It is now called Beachside Radiology Coffs Ocean Swims to reflect the main sponsor’s involvement.

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The organisers are continuing to partner with a range of local businesses and service clubs, many of which have supported the event over the years.

Coffs Harbour City Council is also providing funding support.

As with all such local sports events, there’s a hoard of volunteers rallying to ensure a fun and safe day.

Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club has provided water safety for the event for many years, so were well placed to take on its management, ensuring it remains a fixture in the Coffs Coast events calendar.

The Coffs Ocean Swim has been running annually for 24 years, giving it the status of a staple in the local, state and national Ocean Swims calendar, and is an opportunity for all members of the community, and visitors to the community, to participate in a healthy activity in the safe and pristine waters of the iconic Coffs Harbour Jetty Beach area.

“Surf Life Saving has a rich and colourful history that expands one hundred years of volunteer lifesavers keeping people safe at the beach.

“There are many roles that encompass surf clubs including life saving operations, training and assessing and sports.

“Ocean swimming is an integral part of that.

“This event is the only organised ocean swimming event on the Coffs Coast.

“The closest comparable Ocean Swim events are at Yamba to the north and South West Rocks to the south,” said Yvonne Briggs, a member of the SSLSC who swims every day along Sawtell beach with the 9am swim group.

Continuing a long association with The Armidale School (TAS), around 100 TAS students have entered across different swim distances.

Open to all ages and abilities there are categories for the fun swimmer through to competitive swimmers and Personal Best (PB) hopefuls.

At time of going to press there are some 400 entries with another 200 swim caps looking for heads.

The event consists of the following swim distances:
· 600m Jetty Swim – Ages 10 and over.
· 150m Junior Swim – Ages 8-10 years.
· 300m Junior Ocean Swim – Ages 11-14 years.
· 2km Ocean Swim – Ages 14 and over.

Further information can be found on the Sawtell SLSC website: http://www.sawtellsurfclub.com.au/race-information/

By Andrea FERRARI