Swimmers dive in for trial run

Swimmers hoping to gain a little extra confidence in the water ahead of the Busselton Jetty Swim next month are being encouraged to head down to the foreshore for practice swims leading up to the main event.

Three practice swims will be held on Sundays ahead of the main event on January 21 and 28, and February 4.

Swimmers will meet at 6.45am for a quick briefing before a 7am start. Organiser Barry Green said the practice swims were not an official part of the jetty swim but were a good way to prepare and gain confidence for the main event.

“For anyone who’s done the jetty practice swims, the main event is just another day out,” he said.

About 50 swimmers took to the water for the practice swims last year, swimming in three waves at 10-minute intervals, with stronger swimmers taking off last to ensure no one was left alone at the end of the jetty. Mr Green also encouraged paddle boarders to join swimmers in the water and paddle alongside the group.

For more information, email bjgreen@bigpond.net.au.