PORTLAND Surf Life Saving Club president Roger Trewavis is delighted with the support shown by the local community towards the Shipwreck Coast Swim Series.

The series itself has been running for more than a decade through the Warrnambool, Port Campbell and Port Fairy clubs, with Portland’s introduction this year making it a four-race series.

“I’m really happy with the turnout, the people hanging about and supporting the day,” Trewavis said.

“It is something we can build on next year.

“I was thinking 150 would be great, and we got that.”

Official results show 156 swimmers hit the Nuns Beach water – 133 in the 1.2km and 23 in the 500m – and a further 37 entrants who did not start, which can be attributed to those who entered the series as a whole but chose not to swim at Portland.

Among the entries was a huge contingent of Portlanders.

“There were a lot of local swimmers.

“Now that we have done it once, it gives everyone in the community a look at it, and gives them a goal.

“I’ve already had a few people say to me today, ‘I’m going to aim and try and do at least the 500m swim next year’.

“It is a great starting point.”

The Nuns Beach course proved to be a hit with calm conditions and little wind – in stark contrast to the days leading up to Saturday’s swim where surfers were catching a wave at the beach.

“The course is great.

“You can see the whole course from the beach, and you’d get a great views from up on the cliff.

“In an ideal world we would have liked the water to be a bit clearer, but it could also have been pounding waves like it was last week, so we were lucky.

“Even when we set the buoys on Friday night it was still quite rough on the beach.

“The water was a little murky but it doesn’t matter, other than the fact we couldn’t see the shipwreck at the turnaround point.

“Everyone has been positive with their feedback from the day, it’s been fantastic.

“I have to thank all our members who volunteered their time, and also the members from Port Fairy, Port Campbell and Warrnambool who have come along to help.

“And also the local swimming community, who have put their hand up to help with registrations.

“It’s been a great day.”