Major chances to McArthur River Mining Darwin Ocean Swim
A popular swimming event this weekend has undergone major changes. See what they are.
Northern Territory
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A DRY-SEASON institution has waved a temporary goodbye to its Fannie Bay home and will this year take place at a new location with a fresh name.
The McArthur River Mining Darwin Ocean Swim will take place on Sunday along Casuarina Beach, offering spectators on Dripstone Cliffs a view as hundreds of swimmers power through the water to the finish line.
It will be the 17th time the popular event has been held after continuing uninterrupted through the Covid years. A maximum of 300 competitors can start the race, which is divided into two sections.
The 2.1km swim starts near the Rapid Creek footbridge and the 1.2km leg from halfway along Casuarina Beach.
Both events will finish in front of Darwin Surf Life Saving Club.
Event organiser and club member Bob Creek said the straight line swim along Casuarina Beach would look interesting from Dripstone Cliffs and conditions for swimmers should be perfect.
“It should be quite calm and a high tide, so the water will be beautiful and because it’s morning the wind won’t come up,” he said.
The event was moved because the usual registration site at Lake Alexander was double-booked.
The relocation also gives long-time club members and organisers an opportunity to reset after last year’s shock death of popular member Peter Stewart, who died of a heart-related condition during the event.
As well as the main races, a novelty swim is also held where swimmers can use flippers, goggles and any other flotation device that might assist progress.
Mr Creek said the event had a strong safety record with at least one lifesaving club member on hand for every 10 swimmers.
Both races will begin at the same time.
Swimmers must be at the surf lifesaving clubhouse lawns by 6.30am for race numbering and participants must arrive at the club before 7am for an 8.30 start.
Entries for the events close on Wednesday.
Visit the surf lifesaving club website for more details:
darwinsurfclub.com.au/
surf-sports/mcarthur-river-mining-darwin-ocean-swim/
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