Click play to get a taste for open water swimming in Lake Hume
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THE Lake Hume Open Water Bridge Swim is set to return this weekend after a four-year hiatus due to low water levels.
The popular swim will take place on Saturday and Sunday and co-organiser Richard Power couldn’t be happier.
“It’s wonderful,” he said.
Since its inaugural year in 1993, the NSW Open Water Marathon Series event has enjoyed a strong following but with unpredictable water levels in the lake, the event has been cancelled as often as it has gone ahead.
With the Hume Dam at 75 per cent, this weekend’s swim is a sure thing and Power said it could be the best yet.
“From what I’ve heard the numbers are pouring in,” he said.
“I’m biased but as far as inland distance swimming venues are concerned (Hume Dam) is as good as anywhere in the world.”
The status of past participants backs up Power’s high opinion of the event.
Former winner of the 45-kilometre Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and brother of Murray River conquerer Tammy Van Wisse, John, has swum in the event as has 1994 25-kilometre FINA world swimming champion Melissa Cunningham.
This year the two-day event will incorporate a 1.5-, three- and five-kilometre course on Saturday with swimmers starting at the Pines boat ramp and heading out under the Bethanga Bridge and back.
On Sunday, the 10-kilometre relay event will see swimmers start at Ludlows Reserve and finish at Bethanga Bridge.
In partnership with Albury Council and Lavington Rotary Club for the first time, the swim will use boats and volunteers from the Australian Coastguard and Albury Border Rescue to keep an eye on the competitors.
Registration forms can be found online at alburycity.nsw.gov.au/openwaterswim.