An unseasonable squall did not prevent Southland and Otago swimmers from seeing out the year fittingly on New Year’s Eve.
The annual Clyde Open-Water Swim was held at Lake Dunstan, jointly organised by the Southland and Dunedin triathlon and multisport clubs.
Co-founder and Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club president David "Ginge" Burnett said the event was a great way to finish the year.
The swim was "not too intimidating" and meant "you can have a beer on New Year’s Eve and feel like you’ve done something".
"Hopefully, [swimmers] go home and tell somebody else and next year there’ll be a few more."
Despite the weather, the swim was a good way for Burnett to celebrate his recent Queen’s Service Medal, awarded for services to multisport, which he described as "overwhelming" but "good".
Co-founder and Dunedin Triathlon and Multisport Club committee member Hugh Tait said Lake Dunstan was a great resource for open swimming.
Burnett and Tait started the event because they were both holidaying in the area.
"The open water swimming circuit is pretty cool right now, so there’s a lot of people doing it."
Ninety-eight people took part in the 3000m, 1500km, 1000m and 500m distances, the largest turnout for the event.
While it was the worst day they had weather-wise, "people enjoyed the challenge", he said.
"[Lake Dunstan] is a lot nicer than swimming in the pool," Tait said
Results
3000m: Xander Marsh, 45min 41sec; Lachlan Russell, 47.53; Fiona Gallagher, 50.55; 1500m: Janus Staufenberg, 21.05; Sam Thornbury, 22.48; Joshua Young, 23.20; 1000m: Laura Faherty, 24.00; Charlotte McVicar, 25.53; Steve Wilson, 26.00; 500m: Max Wiegersma, 10.25; Hayden Young, 10.34; Nicola Brady, 21.06.
