Organisers prioritise safety following two attacks on Beaches
Organisers of Whale Beach’s Big Swim cancelled the long-standing event after a spate of shark attacks in Sydney, and pollution after heavy rain.
The 2.8km race, which starts at Palm Beach and takes swimmers around Little Head Headland to Whale Beach, has only been cancelled twice in 52 years. Whale Beach Surf Lifesaving Club president Brett Babicci said it was ‘definitely the right decision’ based on the number of shark incidents on the Beaches in the week before 25 January.
“It’s not like most swims in the area that start at the beach and finish at the beach; this goes around the headland. If there was an incident with (potentially) 2,000 swimmers, it would be difficult to get all those people onto boats or onto the rock shelf.”
While the event always has a lot of support in the water, including 10 inflatable rescue boats, Marine Rescue and a helicopter – with additional shark-spotting drones also offered this year – Mr Babicci said it was ‘too much of a risk.’
“It’s really disappointing because it’s also the biggest fundraiser for the year to keep the club running and put lifesaving equipment on the beach,” Mr Babicci said.
Some in the community had offered to donate their registration to the club – and add some extra funds to help out, he said.
Mr Babicci, who has been a club member for 35 years, said the race was the ‘toughest, longest and original of all the ocean swims in NSW’ and attracted swimmers from Newcastle and beyond – with past participants including Olympic medallists Grant Hackett and Geoff Huegill. But some also take three hours to do the 2.8km course, complete with flippers, and on a beautiful day it was ‘amazing.’ There is also the 1.1km Little Big Swim for children and beginners.
“It brings a lot of people into the area. It shows what the club has to offer. The fact that it’s been going for 52 years is just an amazing achievement for the community and the club. To not have it running this year is just massive.”
While the club had looked at rescheduling, with a busy ocean swim season on the Northern Beaches, there was no other possible date.
Mr Babbici said all donations to the club were welcome: whalebeachslsc.com
