The Ballarat Lake Swim will return to Lake Wendouree in March, filling the void of high-level swimming on the lake since 2016’s Ballarat Ironman event.
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Ballarat Triathlon Club is behind the rejuvenation and the event will return with a new name – Swim to the Rings.
The 2000m race will take swimmers along the 1956 Olympic rowing course and is open to competitive swimmers, as well as offering races for the more novice swimmers.
Ballarat Triathlon Club president Dale Coutts is extremely excited to launch the race and held high hopes for the standing it could reach – believing it will become a feature on the open water swimming calendar
“This is a major event for the Tri club and the Ballarat community and for all those swimmers out there that might want to come have a swim,” Coutts said.
“It’s going to be a fantastic event.
“While it is the first time that the club has organised the event, it is intended that it will become a must swim on the open water calendar like other swims such as the Lorne Pier to Pub.
“The event will be more than just a swim, also having a focus on entertaining the spectators through getting them as close to the swimming action as possible. We want to take the supporters so close they’ll want to enter it the next year and be part of the action.”
Coutts was hoping to see 1000 entrants for the race and put the call out to all swimmers in the region to get involved and support an event that is sure to benefit the Ballarat economy significantly.
The event is one of only a few in-land open water swims and if Lorne’s Pier to Pub is anything to compare it by, it will be massive for Ballarat.
The Lorne race attracts around 4000 swimmers and brings a wealth of people along with it in what has become an iconic race over the summer.
Coutts’ hope will be that in time Ballarat can achieve similar success and hold a similar standing among the swimming community.
Given the Ironman did not return to Ballarat this year, adding an event like this to the swimming calendar is valuable.
Swim to the Rings will be held on March 25 and swimmers from the age of 12 can race in either the 2000m event or the 500m.
Entries are now open, people can enter online at www.ballarattriclub.com
