LAKE ARGYLE 10 & 20KM SWIM CHALLENGE - Sunday 2nd May 2010
The 2010 Lake Argyle Swim is confirmed to run on Sunday the 2nd May 2010. With the high level of interest in the event from across Australia and around the world this year's swim looks to be the biggest yet with an anticipated 100+ swimmers competing. Anyone can enter as either an individual or team, choosing either the 10km or 20km swim route. Several of Australia's top distance swimmers and even olympians have now expressed interest in the event in 2010.
We also welcome social swimmers to the event. 74 year old Ian McArtney will again swim in either the 10 or 20km course in 2010. After swimming 10km solo in 2009, Ian is hoping to team up with one or more others this year to satisfy his passion for the event. Ian is looking for anyone who would like to team up with him in the event as a social entry. Anyone who is keen to team up with Ian please contact us as soon as possible. swim@lakeargyle.com
Please note final registration as competitor, team, support paddler or support vessel will close on the 19th April 2010, but allocations for the different classes are filling fast.
If you are interested in entering the Lake Argyle Swim in 2010 please email swim@lakeargyle.com as soon as possible as entry numbers will be limited.
Entry fees for 2010:
Individual 10 or 20km: $ 90.00
Duo Teams: $ 150.00 ($75 per swimmer)
Quads Teams: $ 240.00 ($60 per swimmer)
2010 Course Map
We are looking for sponsorship as well as volunteers to assist with the event and lead up. Please contact us if you can spare some time or resources that may help with the 2010 Lake Argyle Swim.
The 2010 date coincides with the "Racing the Planet" East Kimberley which finishes at nearby ElQuestro on the 1st of May. There has been additional interest in the Lake Argyle Swim Challenge from many "Racing the Planet" competitors.
Please email swim@lakeargyle.com for further detail of the 2010 event.
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The 2009 Lake Argyle Swim
The 2009 Lake Argyle Swim event was a great success. 2 individuals plus 5 teams met at the Lake Argyle Village at 8.00am on Sunday 31st May 2009 for the briefing and by 10.00am all swimmers, support boats and paddlers were at the start line 10km out from the Lake Argyle boat ramp.
The day started with some early morning “unseasonal” rain and it was the first “cool” overcast morning for weeks. This early shower was a memorable start to the day ensuring those teams who camped in the Lake Argyle Caravan Park had a unique wake up call. But in true Kimberley style the wind eased and the cloud began to clear to evolve into a magnificent day!
With a ring of the bell, the swim was underway at just before 10.10am.
The first swimmers (the Ha Ha’s – Helen Addis, Maria Chan, Fernando Juarte and Nathan Wilson) were past the 5km marker in 1 hour and 34 minutes With Anne, Richard and Anna’s team only a few minutes behind.
The Ha Ha’s maintained their lead and remarkable pace coming in first with a time of 3 hours 15 minutes and 57 seconds, closely followed by Anne Ward, Richard Roddy and Anna Price with a time of 3:18.56. There was only just over 1 hour between the 1st and final swimmers to cross the line. An amazing effort considering the distance of 10 km and teams from 1 to 6 swimmers aged from 14 to 71 years.
1st – 3:15.57 The Ha Ha’s – Helen Addis, Maria Chan, Fernando Juarte and Nathan Wilson
2nd - 3:18.56 Anne Ward, Richard Roddy and Anna Price
3rd – 3:37.05 Clare, Annetta, Sarah, Erin and Darren
4th – 3:42.16 DE Carpenters team – Big D, Cath Menzies, Simon Donovan and Marie Isabell-Hopp.
5th – 3:46.20 Ian McArtney – Ian is 71 and from Bathurst, he has competed in this event before and spent the 10 days prior to this year’s event swimming many kilometres everyday by himself just enjoying the lake.
6th – 4:10.13 The No. 1 Weaber Plain mob – Emily Collier (14 years old), Scott Young (14 years), Katrina Nissen and Mick Richardson
7th – 4:18.12 Neil McDonald over from Katherine to compete and prior to this event had never before swam 10km solo.
A total of 21 swimmers, 7 paddlers and many support crew were involved and all enjoyed a complimentary BBQ at the Resort Lake Argyle after a short debrief/planning meeting at 4.30pm.
At the meeting a few points were raised and discussed, below is an outline of what was talked about:
* Everyone agreed wholeheartedly that the swim event at Lake Argyle should continue to be an annual event.
* It was agreed that sometime in the couple of weeks before the Ord Valley Muster in early May or late April would be a better time to run the event – warmer water, more likely to be calmer water and if the event does grow to attract large numbers then there are less tourists around competing for space and accommodation.
* There was some discussion re having both a 20km and 10km event on the same day.
* The group was split 50/50 re running the event on a Saturday or a Sunday. The majority felt it was best NOT to be on a long weekend, as it is easier to get locals to help out with support boats and as paddlers etc on a regular weekend when people are less likely to be away for the weekend.
* There needs to be more ease of access for spectators and the barge at the finish line needs to be set up to cater for the thirst of the competitors and support crew celebrations etc.
* Each entry (ie solo or team) will require a paddler and support boat.
* The deep water start with a one way swim to the finish was unanimously supported.
Many thanks to:
* The swimmers – especially those who travelled a long way to get here such as the lone swimmers – Ian McArtney (Katherine NT) and Neil McDonald (Bathurst NSW)
* All of the support crew in the boats and paddling, especially those locals who had no connection to any of the teams involved, but were just willing to help others out (Grant and Sarah and Tommo)
* Two German girls – Marie and Barbara for offering to fill in the gap in one of the teams and paddling
* Judy Hughes – many thanks for donating the BBQ barge "Pelican"
* Charlie Sharpe and the crew up at Lake Argyle for making sure this event continues and for supplying a yummy BBQ for participants and support crew afterwards. Captain Kym for skippering Pelican and helping put out the marker bouys and then Dave as well for helping retrieve the bouys and all of the other staff who did all the work behind the scenes at the Lake to help ensure that everyone had plenty to drink and enjoy a good meal.
* Greg at Lake Argyle Cruises and Grant and Sarah Lodge – loan of floats, ropes and anchors to use as marker bouys.
* Scotty from Triple J Tours for retrieving one of the markers that was snagged.
* Those of you who have offered to donate some of your precious time to help out with the organising of next year’s event.
* Thanks also to Matt Brann from ABC Kimberley for coverage the 2009 Lake Argyle Friendly!
Go to the link below to see the story put together by Matt Brann (ABC radio) and Ian McArtney.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2008/s2585609.htm?site=local&rotator
