Environmental and operational factors threaten statewide swimming series events, forcing cancellations
South Australia's summer swimming calendar faces unprecedented disruption as algal blooms and dwindling participation numbers force organisers to axe major events.
The algae blues strike again, as swimming events across the state have been cancelled.
Open Water Swim Series events, scheduled from December to March have been axed after deliberation over environmental and operational factors.
In an official statement to members, Masters Swimming SA have said the difficult decision followed “extensive thought and consideration” and was not “made lightly”.
“Unfortunately, the ongoing uncertainty and significant presence of the Algal Bloom in the waters along the metropolitan beaches where most of our events are held has made it unfeasible to proceed with planning a full series,” the post read.
“The health and safety of our swimmers, volunteers, and spectators remain our top priority.”
Additionally, the not-for-profit lists out other factors like the “potential reduction in participation numbers, high risk of event cancellations and the considerable resources required to co-ordinate the series” under such unpredictable conditions as “far too great”
Masters Swimming SA President Simon Howe said “alternative options” are being investigated to host individual events or modified open water activities throughout the season.
“The key points are that we’ve made the unfortunate decision to cancel due to the health and safety of our members being the paramount option,” he said.
“And then the secondary part is the amount of work outside of the environment factor and risk, that goes into setting up an event.”
This includes participation numbers of which only 20 per cent had indicated interest in swimming at any open water events in a survey conducted by Masters Swimming SA, along with volunteer workload.
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