by Lynne Mowbray and Jim Dougherty
The Yamba Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) held their traditional holiday swim at Main Beach, Yamba on Sunday January 3.
The surf club had a COVID safety plan for the event, with all competitors required to use QR scanning before registering for the race.
The day kicked off with 246 swimmers competing in the 700m swim from Convent Beach to Main Beach.
This event was followed by the 2km swim with 128 swimmers taking part, before the final event of the day, the Dash for Cash.
Last year’s winner Lachlan Walker from Alstonville won both the 700m and 2km men’s events.
In the women’s division, Kalani Ives (Yamba) won the 700m race with Madeline Ewing (Alstonville) winning the 2km race.
The Dash for Cash men’s was won by Jayden Beaumont (Thirroul) and Margaret McConnachie (Sawtell), in the women’s.
Local Yamba swimmers to win their age group categories were Ellie Starkey (20-29 years), Kate Armstrong (40-49 years), Lynn Johnston (70 years plus), Hugh Dougherty 30-39 years) and Joe Dougherty (40-49 years).
Race sponsors were Clarence Valley Council, Pacific Hotel, Westlawn Finance & Insurance, Ray White Yamba, Belinda’s Store, Seymour Whyte, Coopers Brewery, and Yamba Community Pool.
The full results can be found on the Sports Event Services site: https://sportseventservices.com.au/latestresults/
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 13 January 2021.