The Rettke Building Tathra Wharf to Waves is a unique experience.
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Past event winner and highly regarded swim coach Zoe Philipzen says the iconic ocean swim is not as hard as you would think, but certainly more challenging than the same distance in a pool or fresh water.
“It is less favourable in the ocean, you’ve got the swell and the wind factor,” Ms Philipzen says.
“You want everyone to breathe bi-laterally [breathing to each side], but it can be frustrating because if you get a prevailing nor-easter you’ll cop a mouthful of salt water,” she said.
“And the wind can also bring blue bottles in.”
She said perfect conditions for Tathra were a southerly where the wind is cut around the wharf and that last year was “picture perfect”.
However, she said the more buoyant salt water can improve your speed, while experienced swimmers can also ride the waves into the beach for the final sprint to the line.
The latest forecast is for one-metre easterly swells picking up later in the day as it moves northerly, so conditions shouldn’t be too daunting for newcomers to the 600 and 1200m swims.
The biggest piece of advice Ms Philipzen had for anyone competing, was to focus on the buoys and cut straight lines.
“It’s a 600m swim right, but you don’t have a black line to follow like in the pool, so if you don’t focus you’ll swim 800m because you’re shifting left and right,” she said.
“We do certain drills in the pool like water polo, you’re focusing on the buoy, concentrate on your breathing and every 10-20 strokes do a couple of water polo strokes and focus.”
For those having a go, the Wharf to Waves is fun and “doable” for kids as young as 10 and competitors in their 80s.
“It's an amazing event and for anyone that ever wants to do it, we’ve got eight and nine-year-olds waiting to turn 10 so they can get involved,” she said.
“You don't have to be a great swimmer and there are opportunities to get better and have a goal of doing it.”
She also said there is a small armada of lifesavers and support boats on hand for both moral support, or to assist swimmers from the water if they tire.
“I’ve got all my Swimming Club babies in the 10-13 and 14-17 year events and it’s great to be out there and encourage each of them,” she said.
She said the the Far South Coast has great facilities to train and learn if the Wharf to Waves is something you aspire to.
Swim clubs offer a place for young guns to learn, while Ms Philipzen said she and fellow coach Adrian Willburger were training groups of 15-30 adults each Wednesday with an aim of competing on Sunday.
The Wharf to Waves swims are Sunday at Tathra with registrations at the Tathra Surf Life Saving Club from about 7am.