PORTLAND hosted its leg of the Shipwreck Coast Swim Series on Saturday, in what was a very successful event with a total of 126 contestants.  

This year’s overall winner of the David Tapscott Ocean Challenge – held off Nuns Beach – was Jude De Silva-Smith, who came in with a very impressive time of 16 minutes and 24 seconds.

At just 14 years of age, the Warrnambool swimmer achieved an undeniably impressive feat in defeating racers more than a decade his senior.

“It was a pretty good swim… I went slightly off course there at one point but managed to get back on track and get the win,” he said.

“It can be difficult to stay on course when you’re trying to focus on staying fast and looking out for people around you.

“It was a nice day out in the water… apparently there’s a shipwreck out there somewhere but I didn’t see it.”

Despite his age, De Silva-Smith could almost be called a veteran of this event, this being his fourth time doing the Shipwreck series.

“I’ve done a couple of other ocean swims as well, but this has been my main thing really,” he said.

“I’m going to try to do all four and finish the series… and then who knows, maybe a couple more events up and down the coast.”

Meanwhile, the first female competitor across the line was Ebony Ebenwalder, who came in with a time of 16:43.5 in another impressive display.

Ebenwalder, who lives in Ballarat but had been travelling in Warrnambool at the time of the event, also won the Port Fairy leg of the series just five days prior.

“It was actually a bit rougher out there today than last week over at Port Fairy, there was quite a strong wind so just trying to keep in a straight line was a pretty significant challenge,” she said.

“I was able to look for the paddle-boarders and the buoys to get the right area to swim towards.”

An impressive all-around sportswoman, Ebenwalder won’t be able to complete the full Shipwreck series as she’s travelling back home to prepare for some upcoming rowing regattas.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the full series, I’m leaving tomorrow to start preparing for a couple of regattas I’ve got on the horizon,” she said.

“I actually only started rowing during COVID because the pools were closed, but I found a new love for that sport, it’s a shame when it clashes with swimming but so be it.”

The next leg of the Shipwreck Coast Swim Series will be held in Warrnambool on January 28, with the Port Campbell event the following week.

The series is organised by, and is a fundraiser for, the four host surf life saving clubs – Portland, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Port Campbell.