Record numbers hit the water for sixth edition of New Year’s Eve swim at Middleton Beach

Record numbers and new distances greeted swimmers taking part in the sixth edition of the annual New Year’s Eve swim, run by the Albany Surf Life Saving Club at Middleton Beach.

In all, 175 competitors nominated, 85 more than last year, with 166 entering the watering took part, with local and visiting swimmers entering across three new distances 500m, 1.5km and 3km.

Despite the light drizzle, swimmers hit the water to wrap up 2021 in calm conditions and record numbers took part in the annual event on Friday.

James Ingles was the first swimmer to exit the water in the 3km race, winning the male division in 41 minutes 58.31 seconds.

Star Albany swimmer Christine Murray finished second overall in the 3km event, not far behind the winner, as she won her female category in a time of 42:12.54.

Second in the male 3km race division was 16-year-old Albany swimmer Angus Bowles (43:44.69) and Benjamin Ruett was the third male to finish in 45:49.08.

Third overall and the second female to complete the 3km was Olivia Power in 43:23.75 and Bethwyn Hearle (52:02.96) was third in the female category.

In the 1.5km event, youngsters dominated, with 14-year-old Samson Connolly taking out the male division and 13-year-old Alyssa Peake claiming the female category.

Connolly was the overall winner finishing in a time of 23:30.47 while Peake stopped the clock at 24:27.47.

Richard Langston (25:33.16) was the first male senior across the line in the 1.5km event while Dana Neumann (26:11.12) was the first senior female.

Tomas Lynch was the overall winner of the 500m race and took out the senior male race in a time of 8:22.

Aisha Connolly (9:05) was second overall and first female junior while Fergus Stephens (9:07) crossed the line in the junior male division and Justine Bolton (9:22) was the first senior female.

Event organiser Rob Mason said the event was a huge success.

“The swim combined with the official opening of the Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement project by the City of Albany added to the overall atmosphere of the morning,” he said.

The 1.5km race attracted the most swimmers with 79 taking part, the 3km swim had 55 swimmers enter the water and 32 people swam the 500m race.