Conditions were nearly perfect for the 11th Lake Daylesford Swim Classic on Sunday, February 23, and over 130 swimmers entered the ionic event around the 1.2 kilometre course.
Alyssia Jenkins from Ballarat was the women’s champion in a time of 14:19, a women’s record and just 2 seconds short of the all time record. Alyssia was followed closely by her distance coach, Ebony Ebenwaldner, also from Ballarat. Jake Dingle won the men’s event in 14:39 ahead of previous champion, Justin Rodda. A highlight of the event is the presentation ceremony with awards sourced from local op-shops. The Kelly family of Daylesford who fielded a stable of 9 swimmers in the event were awarded the Family Values award. The Ester Williams Memorial Bathers were awarded to double Channel swimmer, Rick Seirer, from Maryborough.
The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Daylesford who insured the event under the umbrella of their Rotary International event insurance. Members of Rotary also ran a sausage sizzle which added to the atmosphere on the lake front. A raffle in conjunction with the event was sponsored by The Lake House, The Boathouse, Splinters Cafe and Daylesford Cider all of whom donated generous prizes. The event raised $3500 for the Lafaek Diak Foundation which operates a small medical clinic in Bacau, East Timor.
Event organiser, Greg Stewart, was extremely pleased with the success of the event. “I’d like to thank our sponsors, Rotary, Lake House, The Boathouse, Splinters Cafe and Daylesford Cider” he said. “And I’d also like to thank the lifesaving crew on kayaks, skiffs and surf boards who made the event safe for all of us.”
