Report by Greg Gourley
On Saturday 9 March 2013, one lone Viking (Greg Gourley) was to take on the Riverina Rush’s 10km open water swim in Lake Talbot, Narrandera.
The morning started at 6am by wakening for a breakfast of super food — something that would provide enough GG power to last 3 hrs. What was this super food — one small tin of baked beans, a small tin of fish and the must have — instant coffee.
Only 4 swimmers, one from Sydney (who was training for a channel swim), one from Port Macquarie (Adrian’s Club), one from Melbourne and GG. Many more swimmers (wimps) were to take on the 5km (middle distance) and the 2km (warm-up) swims.
The Before
Oh! What have I entered?
The picture shows straight line the 1km up and 1 km return course that we needed to swim 5 times.
Lake Talbot before the swim
The During
A friendly red belly black decide to join the swim.After the event we were told that snake was chasing one of the swimmers (that’s called drafting). The snake didn’t pay its entry fee so one of the paddlers gave it a swipe and sent it back to shore.
Lake Talbot late entry
The End
After 3 hrs and 4 minutes GG finished the 10 kms. Coming in 2nd in the open and 1st in the veterans.
The lovely people of Narrandera provide prize money for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the open — so GG picked up $50 which was quickly donated back to support the event next year.
The 10km Open Finish
Footnote: The Riverina Rush offers Open Water Swimming, Cycling, Triathlon and Running Events — sadly it clashes with similar events elsewhere that run on the same weekend. Anyhow Mij and GG had a wonderful time and will be back new year for another 10km.
