WHILE many treasure their morning sleep-ins, a group of keen open water swimmers, The Inverloch Swimrays, has been rising three times a week to meet at the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club to practice open water swimming.
The group has been swimming laps between markers they have placed about 200-300m apart.
The group have a range of different motivations, some ranging from maintaining fitness or completing the Channel Challenge in the coming weeks.
Others have higher ambitions with triathlons and longer water (up to 25 km swim events) coming up in the next few months. All levels are equally welcome.
As a result of different focuses, some people swim one lap to gain confidence and fitness, while others do four or five laps before the group meets for post swim takeaway coffee from the cafe.
All levels of ability are welcome and all you need is willingness to get in the water – some of the group brave the elements without wetsuits, while others enjoy the extra buoyancy and warmth.
The group hopes to increase connections with the other groups, the Walkerville Walruses and the Phillip Island Turtles in the area to help build increased participation as the groups swim at different times and this would enable more people to be involved in Open Water Swimming.
The group started when a few of the regular Inverloch bike riders decided they should get together on the non – riding day and swim.
A notice went out to the community Facebook groups and over the past six weeks the group has been going, they have been joined by approximately 50 swimmers over the time, with a core group of seven there each day.
Some have holiday houses and are here for a few weeks, some swim and then dash off to work.
Tourists to the area and locals alike have enjoyed joining the swim, especially on the many calm mornings the group has had this year.
The group expects to continue till Easter and then restart next October, however if people are keen, they can continue through winter.
The group hopes to see more swimmers come along.
Everyone is welcome to come join in.
The group meets at 7.30am Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at the picnic tables.
See you at the Inverloch Lifesaving Club.