GALLERY: Tasmanian Ocean Swim series enters second leg

Water-lovers waded out for the second Engine Swimwear Tasmanian Ocean Swim of the series on Saturday, including one family of four women spanning three generations and six decades. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY >>

• Tassie legend inducted into Hall of Fame
• Market queues wind through Hobart streets

WATER-LOVERS enjoyed the second Engine Swimwear Tasmanian Ocean Swim of the series on Saturday, including one family of four women spanning three generations and six decades.

Kay Neill was one of four people over the age of 70 to compete alongside about 100 swimmers at Seven Mile Beach, arriving with her 47-year-old daughter Michelle Neill and two granddaughters Olivia, 16, and Scarlett Smith, 11.

Three generations of swimmers Scarlett Smith, Michelle Neill, Kay Neill and Olivia Smith after competing in the 600m event of the Brooke Street Pier 1200 Ocean Series swim at Seven Mile Beach. Picture Chris Kidd

Michelle Neill said it was the family’s first time competing together in an Ocean Swim.

“My mum swims quite a lot and was really wanting to get us all together,” she said.

“The girls are part of the Kingston Beach Surf Lifesaving Club with me and mum was too in the past.

“It was lovely seeing mum and Scarlett come across the line together.”

Seventeen-year-old Sam Askey-Doran won the 1.2km men’s division while Sienna Palser, 16, took out the women’s.

Rupert Gan-Pain, 13, won the 600m race followed by runner-up Ella Fischer, 13.

Organiser and SLS legend Don Marsh said the weather was perfect with sunshine, a light breeze and warm seas greeting the tight-knit community.

“I didn’t quite manage to hold off the two young kids I coach, they got me by seconds,” Mr Marsh said.

The first swim of the season was at Carlton Beach in November, with Devonport and Port Sorell swims postponed due to bad weather.

The next swim will be at Bridport on January 16, followed by Australia Day’s Kingston Beach event, which Michelle and her family plan to attend.

SEE THE SWIM GALLERY

Originally published as GALLERY: Tasmanian Ocean Swim series enters second leg