The Petone Swimming Club held the Annual Somes Swim on Saturday the 2nd of March in near perfect conditions.
This year 22 members took part with 13 completing the full swim and the remainder taking part in the relay.
The Somes Island swim was first swum in 1948 and has been swum every year apart from two since then.
It is a traditional swim with no wetsuits.
Club president Jim Hogg says “if they could do it without wetsuits in 1948 we can manage without today. Wearing them would demean the race”
This year Cathy Gordon won the womens race in a time of 55min 12sec. Jason Hills was the mens winner in a time of 54min 39sec.
The distance is 3 kilometers.
Of special note is that three of the clubs 11 year old junior swimmers who only intended to participate in the relay completed the whole swim.
Caitlin Coffey and Maia Cunningham crossed the finish line in a dead heat with a time of 1hr 45min 41sec. and Sarah Armstrong was hot on their heels with a time of 1hr 46min 40sec
The race record is held by Chris Pennell with a time of 43min 15sec
