Helensburgh GP Trevor Kemper is in training.
This year he’ll compete in his 17th annual Stanwell Park Ocean Challenge. That’s every single event since its inception in 1999.
The event is recognised as one of Australia’s leading ocean swims, hugging the coastline from Coalcliff to Stanwell Park. It’s the biggest fundraiser for the Helensburgh/Stanwell Park SLSC.
Trevor (who was born in Thirroul but now lives in Stanwell Park) has a practice in Helensburgh, and also works for the Local Area Health Service. He competes in half a dozen ocean swim events a year, and says the Stanwell Park Ocean Challenge is his favourite.
“This is definitely the most enjoyable,” he says. “The organisers are always friendly and helpful, so it’s also a great event for people who are starting out.
“The event runs really smoothly,” says Trevor. “You register at Stanwell Park and leave your gear there. Competitors are bussed to Coalcliff for the race. Then, of course, we swim back!”
Trevor takes his sport seriously. He is currently swimming around a kilometre most days in readiness for the 2.3 kilometre event. Then once a week he hits the water with the Wollongong Wizards triathletes for a 4 kilometre session. He’s actually team doctor for this group of elite athletes, and competed alongside them in last weekend’s ‘Tri The Gong’ carnival, taking out his category!
But many swimmers just participate for the sheer joy of viewing our incredible coastline from a different perspective.
“It’s definitely the most beautiful ocean swim I have ever done,” says Trevor. “We swim around 100 meters off shore and the water is around 6 meters deep, but so clear you can see the sand on the bottom. I like to do the swim as fast as I can so don’t really look around, but others like to stop and take in the scenery. It’s personal preference, but either way, it’s a great event to be a part of.”
The Stanwell Park Ocean Challenge will be held at 10am on Sunday April 3.
You can register HERE
For more information, have a look HERE
