Former Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown is taking part in this month’s Portsea Swim Classic.
There are countless open water swimming competitions around the world, but the 37th continual running of the iconic Portsea Swim Classic is up there with the best of them when it comes to challenge and allure. The event continues to draw crowds each summer for the spectacular two-day event.
The Portsea Classic will be held over the weekend of January 20-21, opening on the Friday with the Portsea Bay to Surf, where participants take part in one of two twilight adventure runs – 9km or 4.5km – or a 4.5km walk, traversing the picturesque Point Nepean National Park. On the Saturday, the Portsea Swim Classic will take place from Quarantine Station.
One of the Mornington Peninsula’s summer signature events, it draws a plethora of industry leaders, sports stars, and Victoria’s top ocean and pool swimmers. One such person is former AFL premiership footballer Campbell Brown, who signed up for the 9km run this year after completing the swim in the past.
“My dad lives in Portsea and I’ve been going down there for probably 25 years over summer; I’m a regular down there,” Campbell says. “My goal for the new year is to get back into a bit of fitness. Probably like a lot of people through COVID, there was a bit of motivation lost. I’m looking at doing a few things later in the year, like climbing Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, so this is the perfect little kick-start for summer and to get some kilometres in the legs. My son’s pretty active – he’s five – so he might even want to try and do some of the run himself.”
In the Bay to Surf, 1000 competitors will tackle one of three events through the national park. The 4.5km adventure walk starts at Jarman Oval, following roads and tracks that take competitors past London Bridge and along the Farnsworth track to finish at Portsea Surf Life Saving Club. This is followed by the 4.5km and 9km adventure runs, which take runners along the national park’s scenic coastal roads and trails to finish at the Portsea SLSC.
The next day, about 3000 competitors will take to the water for several events including the Portsea Swim Classic, the Peninsula’s most popular ocean water event, racing over the Classic 1.5km distance or in the longer 2.5km Gold event. There is also the 500m Junior Swim Classic for children aged 7-11, the all-female 500m Tribe relay for teams of three, and the Dash 4 Cash sprint.
Having attempted to swim the English Channel in 2015 before weather forced the swim to be abandoned, Campbell is still considering taking part in the 2023 Portsea Swim Classic. “I do enjoy my open water swimming and it might be a good little recovery session the day after the 9km run to jump into the swim as well, but I haven’t locked that in yet.”
The annual event, which is entirely volunteer-led by members of the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, is the major fundraiser for the club. All proceeds go directly to supporting the club’s volunteer capabilities for training, lifesaver development, and vital equipment.
“Going to Portsea for the holidays for most of my life, I know how important the surf lifesaving club is, keeping everyone safe down at the back beach, and the Bronze Medallion program they put forward for the kids,” Campbell says. “These events are an integral part of their fundraising, and they’re really good for anyone that wants to do something healthy. It’s a beautiful, picturesque run and a family-friendly afternoon and evening. It’s certainly a good social weekend.”
For more information about the Portsea Swim Classic and to register, go to www.portseasurf.com.au/portsea-swim-classic/
SARAH HALFPENNY
Recent Comments