Rotto Swim 2013

Rotto Channel Swim

It was a fine day ahead but early on with a medium swell for all of the EFS multisport athletes on the beach for the satrt of their 18km ocean swim. A sea full of white boats greeted the swimmers as the sun crept up and took the chill off the early morning air at Cottesloe beach.

Countless kms of pool & ocean swims had been put into place for the big swim out in the shipping channel  



But !!! every boat looks alike !!      

Whilst some were swimming for personal reasons -others were racing across as a duo and groups of training buddies were out there in their teams  It was a a great sight to see the start as the swimmers headed out trying to find their paddler and then link up with their boat. The solos had a great crossing until the "dreaded" current change gave a few of them a challenge with 4kms to go. If the skipper varies too much then the current sweeps in and makes the last few Kms very tough  . A big well done to the solos -- Chantelle ,Lisa & Letser. Plus good job from opposing duo's of Emma & Heather  . Then there were the others out there in the teams taking turns at getting the island closer with every stroke .

                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                          



Ironman WA 2012

This year it had it all. Kind weather, big field,a big group from 15 EFS Melville and  5 EFS Rockingham ensured endurance fitness spectators were kept busy all day cheering and supporting their mates along the course . Its a long day spectating as you ride the emotions and worry about the splits-- then give out that big motivator ---"looking good" 

The swim saw plenty of EFS triathletes going under 1 hr for the 3.8km swim around the jetty. of the rest all went through their swim leg under 1 hr 30 which set up a nice bike ride for all.....On the 3 lap bike course the wind picked up a little in the 2nd and 3rd laps with out & back times fluctuating with the wind directions. A few hazards such as dropped canisters from the increasing triathlete litterbug syndrome  (Numbers kissed the tarmac on hitting one) and some punctures made it a challenging course by bikes' end.

                                                                                                                                                                 

But that meant only the run to go as the temp moved past 30 degrees and  the wind died down 

Now it was determination, nutrition and survival  out there . Fantastic to see athletes achieve their goals in Ironman with some going sub 10 right out to those with glow sticks getting a rock star welcome later in the evening in the noise & lights of the finish chute ...good job!



                                                                             


To all the extra support crew that got them across the line --thanks to  Mark,Simone,Al, Rick, "partners & .family --well done