After all, he’s been competing in it for more than 50 years.
The 72-year-old veteran lifeguard and life member of the St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club has been in almost every iteration of the event since 1974.
The hours of training paid off on Saturday.
Mr Newton — along with his canoe-paddling team-mates Brent Wolf, Lochie Cameron and Murray Haig — were the first of the five canoe teams to finish the 6km course, in a time of 34min 23sec.
The fastest person in the water was Josh Thorburn, who recorded a time of 28min on his surf ski.
Conditions were "pretty choppy" for the 50 canoeists, skiers, paddle boarders and swimmers on Saturday, Mr Newton said.
St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club chairman Matt Bradley said they considered postponing the race.
"It really was touch-and-go for a period there — we were actually expecting a lot more rain, a lot more wind and way bigger surf.
"Everyone competing on Saturday needed to be hitting the surf hard. It's about a 5km return journey if you go in a straight line."
Mr Newton was pleased it went ahead.
"If push comes to shove and you need to do it, then you can.
"In these conditions, you've got to have grit and determination — that's the top two inches.
"You've also got to dress accordingly and have faith in your crew."
Mr Newton remembered his first time competing in 1974 as being among the most treacherous.
"Conditions were not too bad at the start, but by the end the wind and the swells picked up, and only four of the 15 starters made it back, including our canoe.
"It got really nasty quite quickly."
Mr Newton said the event was a good test of skills and fitness for lifeguards.
"All who compete have reasonable fitness for the summer, which is a real asset when patrolling beaches."
A lot has changed since Mr Newton became a lifeguard more than 58 years ago.
"Back then you couldn't just rock up and join a surf club — you had to be nominated by somebody who was already in the club, and then you had to have a seconder; and then you would appear before a committee meeting with one or the other of them, who would spell forth your virtues.
"The principles of surf lifesaving haven't changed much, but there’s a lot more focus on health and safety these days. Most of the time, you're dealing with things such as children being left unattended and getting up to misdemeanours."
Asked what his family thought of his continuing surf lifesaving exploits, Mr Newton said they were proud of him.
"They see me as a role model."
