Hello and Bula Vinaka

Vanuatu and Espiritu Santo Aore Swims coming up

Only two weeks to go to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim in Port Vila on Saturday June 12th and the Espiritu Santo Aore Swim on Tuesday June 15th. Entries are still coming in for both events with quite a few returning familiar faces.

There are also several groups travelling to the event including a contingent of ten South Australian swimmers, and another group of ten from the Australian Defence Academy Sports Club in Canberra.,

The Vanuatu Ocean Swim will again feature a 3.2km and 1.5km swims in Port Vila's picturesque harbour, followed a few days later by the 2.6km crossing of the Segond Channel at the Espiritu Santo Aore Swim. The Santo event will be preceded by the ever popular traditional outrigger canoe race on the Monday.

Swim 'n Pick at Fiji Ocean Swim Series Race 3 at Natadola

Race 3 of the seven race Fiji Ocean Swim took on the theme "Swim 'n Pick" in recognition of World Oceans Day coming up on June 6th.

The Swim 'n Pick theme focused on the plastics problem in our oceans, with a short talk and exhibit highlighting the damage plastics are doing to our marine environment. A clean up of Natadola Beach followed.

There was also information on Project Kaisei and the research being conducted to find collection and recycling solutions in areas such as the North Pacific Gyre, a vast area in the North Pacific where currents merge and have formed a sea of plastic and other dumped materials.

There was some great swimming too, with rough conditions for the 1km and 2.2km races held on Saturday, and a complete contrast with calm seas on a gentle swell for Sunday's 5km and 5 x 1km Relay.

Read more about the Fiji Swim Series on the Pacific Swims website.

Pirates set to invade Vanuatu

The annual Byron Bay Winter Wales Swim Classic was held on Sunday May 2nd in ideal conditions. In a record field of over 2200, Ky Hurst and Mel Gorman won the Superfish mens and womens categories respectively.

This swim is one of Pacific Swims Partner Events, and as such there were random draw prizes for trips to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim, and the Fiji Swim Festival up for grabs.

Bruce Mourney, a member of the Peninsula Pirates from Victoria, was fortunate to have his name drawn out and is off to Vanuatu courtesy of Air Vanuatu..

The winner of the Fiji Ocean Swim prize was Michael Trinca. Pictured at right is Bruce is his wife Dana Sawyer, who is also a keen swimmer (and Pirate).

See you in the water

Paul McCoy