Big numbers expected for Albany’s annual New Year’s Eve swim

Hundreds of swimmers are set to hit the water to close out 2020, with Albany’s annual New Year’s Eve Swim again being held on December 31.

A strong turnout of close to 150 competitors are expected at Middleton Beach for the event run by Albany Surf Life Saving Club next Thursday morning.

Four distances will be on offer, a short course of around 400m inside the swimming enclosure, and long-course distances of 1.25km, 2.5km and 5km.

The 5km event is four laps of the 1.25km triangular course, those in the 2.5km race will swim that twice and 1.25km swimmers once.

The short course starts at 7.30am and the long course races will follow after its completion about 7.45am.

Registrations are open online until noon on December 30 and there is a $10 late registration fee for those who enter on the morning.

Event organiser Rob Mason said the swim was extremely popular among locals but also holiday makers and tourists.

“The last couple of years we’ve had around 150 competitors and we are hoping for something similar,” Mason said. “Everyone is welcome and it’s a really friendly, low-key event.

“It’s just to encourage everyone to have a swim on the last day of the year.

“There will be lots of water safety and hopefully it’s a nice day.”