11th January 2004
On a hot, flat day a keen field of swimmers took on an even keener field of stingers in the 800 Metre Handicap on Sunday.
Conditions were totally opposite to last year, when the event was held in rain and a rough sea.
About two dozen starters lined up for the swim from the front of the clubrooms to Floreat groyne and back.
With a strong north easterly wind blowing, the first half of the course was the harder going and Eddie Gibbs was the leader at the turn. On the return leg the back markers began to move through the field, and it was Duncan Jacob who eventually pulled clear to cross the line first. Tim Trew came in second, and if Lane Tomich hadn't wasted so much energy before the race complaining about his handicap he may have been able to improve on his third placing.
Scratch marker Chris Timms put in an excellent swim to finish soon after, recording the fastest time. Alicia Marriott was the fastest of the girls, just a couple of seconds behind.
But the biggest impression was made by the stingers, with no competitor emerging from the water unscathed. Luckily they're all tough and with ice available on the finish line there weren't too many tears.
* All placings are subject to members completing patrol and other requirements, as contained in the club By-Laws
