A new annual Open Water Swim event is coming to Penrith later this month with $4500 worth of prize money up for grabs.
To be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on Saturday, October 24, the Open Water Swim will feature races for both Juniors (10-13 years, 2.5km) and Opens (over 12 years, 5km).
Race organiser from Nepean Aquatic Centre Swim Club and keen Open Water swimmer Alan Bentley said Penrith has an abundance of swimming talent.
“Seven of our U16 swim club members travelled to Perth earlier this year to compete in the Open Water National Championships,” he said.
“We are aiming as a swim club to create a high quality and well respected local annual Open Water event that will attract the top young swimmers from around the country – we are proud of our club and the local area, and we have world class facilities right here on our doorstep to showcase.”
Already a number of top class swimming clubs from around the state have agreed to take part in the upcoming Open Water Swim including clubs from Newcastle, Port Macquarie, the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Eastern Suburbs.
To add further incentive, Dukes Real Estate has sponsored the prize of $1000 and a trophy to be awarded to the highest point scoring swimming club.
Individual achievement will also be rewarded with medals to be presented to first, second and third placed male and females in 20 age categories, from age 10 to 60 years and over.
“This event caters for everyone from competitive athletes looking to achieve qualifying times to social swimmers looking for a challenge, male and female, young and not so young,” Bentley said.
The inaugural Open Water Swim will be held on Saturday, October 24 at 9am.
Registrations are now open and will close online at 9pm on Wednesday, October 21, with late entries open until 8.30am on the morning of the event.
Cost is $25 for the 2.5km event and $35 for the 5km event.
An additional $10 fee will be charged for late entries.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.nepeanaquaticcentreswimclub.com/open-water-events-1.
– Nathan Taylor
Weekender Newsroom
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