Williamstown’s Jesse Coulson and Altona’s Robbe Dilissen are hoping to catch Sam Sheppard in this month’s Jalna Big Bay Swim.
They’ll join swimmers from the US, Ireland and Queensland in the 3.2kilometre swim from Port Melbourne to Williamstown on Sunday, February 25.
Melbourne’s shipping channel will close for an hour from 9am as entrants swim from Sandridge beach to Pelican’s Landing Restaurant alongside Gem Pier.
Dilissen, 18, and Coulson, 17, finished one and two minutes, respectively, behind Pier to Pub veteran Sheppard who last year swam across the bay in 32:43.4. Kendra Jewell led the women home with a time of 38:26.6.
Chloe McCardel, who has completed 24 English Channel crossings and holds the world record for the longest ocean swim in history – 124.4kilometres – is ambassador for the annual Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand fundraiser for lifesaving clubs.
Coulson rates himself a strong podium chance this year but said his training mate Dilissen and Sheppard would be hard to beat.
“I finished third in the open section of the Point Lonsdale (1.2kilometre) swim and fourth in the juniors in the Pier to Pub (1kilometre), so hopefully I can go better in the bay swim,” he said.
Early entrants go in the draw to win prizes including an Entrix wetsuit, South Pacific gym memberships, movie tickets and cash.
Swimmers and spectators will get a tub of Jalna yoghourt at the finish line, with a family festival, market stalls and entertainment at Commonwealth Reserve. For registration, market stall bookings and sponsorship inquiries, visit www.bigbayswim.com.au
