An unseasonable squall did not prevent Otago and Southland swimmers from seeing out the year fittingly on Sunday.
The annual Clyde Open-Water Swim was held at Lake Dunstan, jointly organised by the Southland and Dunedin triathlon and multisport clubs.
Co-founder and Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club president David "Ginge" Burnett said the event was a great way to finish the year.
The swim was "not too intimidating" and meant "you can have a beer on New Year’s Eve and feel like you’ve done something".
"Hopefully, [swimmers] go home and tell somebody else and next year there’ll be a few more."
Despite the weather, the swim was a good way for Mr Burnett to celebrate his recent Queen’s Service Medal, awarded for services to multisport, which he described as "overwhelming" but "good".
Co-founder and Dunedin Triathlon and Multisport Club committee member Hugh Tait said Lake Dunstan was a great resource for open swimming.
"The open water swimming circuit is pretty cool right now, so there’s a lot of people doing it."
Ninety-eight people took part in the 3000m, 1500km, 1000m and 500m distances, the largest turnout for the event.
While it was the worst day they had weather-wise, "people enjoyed the challenge", he said.
"[Lake Dunstan] is a lot nicer than swimming in the pool."
Results
3000m: Xander Marsh, 45min 41sec; Lachlan Russell, 47.53; Fiona Gallagher, 50.55; 1500m: Janus Staufenberg, 21.05; Sam Thornbury, 22.48; Joshua Young, 23.20; 1000m: Laura Faherty, 24.00; Charlotte McVicar, 25.53; Steve Wilson, 26.00; 500m: Max Wiegersma, 10.25; Hayden Young, 10.34; Nicola Brady, 21.06.
ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz , Cadet reporter
