Pristine conditions for swimmers and soaring temperatures for Tassie

Swimmers took to the water at Bellerive Beach for the annual Brooke Street Pier ocean swim on Saturday as temperatures soar across the state for the New Year’s weekend. PHOTOS + FORECAST>>>

People on the pontoon at Bellerive Beach on a Summer day. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

SWIMMERS have taken to the water at Bellerive Beach for the annual Brooke Street Pier ocean swim as temperatures soar across the state for the New Year’s weekend.

Swimmers experienced pristine conditions on Saturday as they embarked on the 1.2km open water course.

Samuel Askey-Doran, 19, claimed first place for the men’s open swim, completing the circuit in less than 14 minutes.

Billie Rodger, 19, took out the women’s race with an impressive time of 15 minutes and 36 seconds.

Billie Rodger 19 first home in the women's open event. Brooke Street Pier 1200 ocean swim at Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I like it in the open water because it’s not as boring as swimming up and down the pool. The community is quite nice and you get to see people you don’t know usually get to see at the pool,” she said.

Event co-ordinator Don Marsh, who also swam in the race, said ocean swimming has become increasingly popular around Tasmania and on the mainland.

“It’s not just pool swimmers and triathletes, it’ recreational swimmers. There’s little swimming pods popping up all around the state and they come along here and do the race,” he said.

Sam Askey-Doran and Billie Rodger both 19 after winning the men's and women's open event. Brooke Street Pier 1200 ocean swim at Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ruby Biggins 13, Molly Duffy 14, Zoe Englert 15 junior swimmers who competed. Brooke Street Pier 1200 ocean swim at Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It comes as Surf Life Saving Tasmania is expecting a surge in visitors to beaches across the state.

Life-saving co-ordinator Ned Reardon said members will be patrolling beaches on New Year’s Day and throughout January.

“We really expect visitation at beaches – especially parts of the East Coast – to rise over this period as people head out on holiday,” Mr Reardon said.

Sam Askey-Doran 19 of Hobart first home in the men's open race. Brooke Street Pier 1200 ocean swim at Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We really encourage people to adopt a stop, look and plan approach. Check for rip currents, look out for other hazards and stay safe while swimming. People are 3.61 times more likely to drown on New Year’s Day than any other day.”

Temperatures around Tasmania are set to reach the late 20s on New Year’s Day, with Hobart and Launceston expected to climb close to 30 degrees.

While the weather will remain warm for the Monday public holiday, the weather bureau has forecast a chance of afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms for Hobart.

Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch has urged Tasmanians to take simple steps like keeping hydrated, minimising direct sun exposure, and wearing lightweight clothes to stay safe in the heat.

Originally published as Pristine conditions for swimmers and soaring temperatures for Tassie