Last Sunday, 3 May, the Byron Bay Winter Whales gathered wearing their iconic Okanui shorts, to host the Byron Property Sales Ocean Classic and Byron Chocolate Co Dash.
‘After a nervous Saturday night, fearing cancellation due to large surf, the annual event was able to proceed by modifying the course. Usually starting from Wategos Beach, the 2.2km swim was moved to The Pass, avoiding dangerous current and rocks,’ a Winter Whales spokesperson told The Echo.
At only 16 years old on the day, Saul Easman was able to celebrate his birthday by taking out first place! The first woman home, Arianna Fydler, 21, finished third overall and for the first time ever, got the better of her former-Olympian father Chris, who finished a very creditable fifth.’
Byron Bay Surf Club supported the event with 96 members volunteering for water safety. The event raised approximately $40,000 and takes the Winter Whales’ total amount raised to around $1.2 million overall since 1983.
‘Many competitors do multiple swims around the country, and all think the Ocean Classic is the best of all. Next year is special as it is our 40th anniversary of the swim and we would like as many people as possible to enter. So bring a friend as it’s an absolute must to swim in the Bay in May,’ said the spokesperson.
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