By MARK HEENAN
KEEN Ocean Grove ocean swimmers were some of the 500-plus participants who competed in the annual 24th Queenscliff Blue Water Swim Challenge on Saturday 30 January.
Local Grove competitor and renowned marathon swimmer Mark Stone came away victorious in the 50-59 age group and finished seventh overall in the main 1.2km swim challenge at Queenscliff pier.
The 55-year-old came home in a time of 14:01 to finally edge out his Ocean Grove swimming rival Robin Asher, who came third in the 50-59 age group and finished 11th overall.
Stone said he was chuffed with his result.
“I was quite satisfied with my performance, I was swimming with a wetsuit and I did not have a big swim beforehand,” Stone said.
“That sort of helps a lot whereas when I have swimming against Robin (Asher) I have been swimming without a wetsuit.
The 1.2 km swim challenge was won by star competitor Tristan Read in a time of 12:59.
IN the curtain-raiser to the main 1.2km swim challenge, Ocean Grove local Flynn Kinsey was the first male to cross the finishing line in a time of 05:43 in the 600m race.
Fellow Ocean Grove SLSC team-mate and superstar local Tyler Walsh finished fourth overall in 05:55 in the earlier race.
Queenscliff Blue Water Swim Challenge spokesperson Margie Heffernan said the conditions were for the most part great for competitors.
She said the Bellarine-based small swimming club was very appreciative of the volunteers who helped on the day.
“The day went really smoothly, the conditions were amazing compared to the day before,” Heffernan said.
“It got a bit more choppy as the event went on, so the later the race the rougher the conditions.”
