IF you have entered the Jetty Swim, you’ve more than likely been training hard in the pool already.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
But if you are a bit nervous about switching from the lap lanes to the ocean, some locals have a novel way of getting over those cold feet, and some of our city’s councillors will don their bathers to join them.
For the next two Sundays they will do a practice run of the Jetty Swim, parting from shore at 7am to swim around the jetty as a group, and anyone interested in joining them is welcome to come along.
Local swimmer Barry Green said it could help prospective Jetty Swim participants overcome some of their fears about swimming in the ocean, and give them an idea of the conditions to expect during the official Jetty Swim event, which will be held on Sunday February 10.
“A lot of people want to do a practice swim,” Barry said.
“This is just a group of swimmers training together for a bit of company.”
In a City of Busselton first, some members of council have put a team together for the event.
“I think it’s great for us to have a group in for the Jetty Swim,” Cr Grant Henley said, adding that several council members were inspired after watching last year’s event.
He will be joined on the team by councillors Jenny Green, Coralie Tarbotton and John McCallum, participating as a relay team.
Councillor Jenny Green said she was pleased to be part of the first council team in the Jetty Swim, and was keen to take part in the two trial runs as well.
“I would like to just do my leg, and just see how I go,” she said.
They all agree that a trial swim will help give them a feel of the conditions they can expect.
More experienced swimmers can give the first-timers some tips for getting swimming along the jetty. People doing the Jetty Swim in teams can also join in, by either starting with the group from shore and swimming to the jetty platforms, or walking along the jetty and joining the group as they make their way back in.
The informal practice swim leaves from the jetty at 7am this Sunday, and again on Sunday February 3, on the foreshore near the Goose Cafe.
Registration for the official Jetty Swim event is still open.
Keep an eye out for more event information in the Mail in the coming weeks.
