The Murray Rose Malabar Magic Swim

The Malabar Magic Swim was set up by Murray Rose, a champion swimmer. It’s called magic because this is how Murray felt when he swam. Murray died in 2012 but the swim continues.  



Murray Rose at the Malabar Magic swim



 

Louise Sauvage, Australian paralympian wheelchair racer and patron of this year's Malabar swim

 Most Australian ocean swims support the Surf Life Saving Clubs. The Malabar is in aid of the Rainbow Club, which provides swimming instruction for disabled children. This year around 1,000 swimmers took part. 

It was a cold and rainy day but there was still a large turnout for the 1-km and 2.4-km swims. This included some disabled swimmers and graduates from the Rainbow Club programme.  

Steve and Anne-Marie

 

 Superb water safety

 

 

Lots on show 

The water was quite cool for this time of year but very clear. The pumice that appeared on our shoreline a couple of weeks is still floating on the surface. The ocean was flat in the protected channel of Malabar but there was quite a swell once outside in the open water. I did the 2.4 km this time and had a lovely swim. The course was marked out well and as usual the water safety was fantastic. A bit of swell out the back it was fun rather than scary. 

A good chance to catch up with chums

 I’m with Judy Playfair who came first in the 60+ age group in the 2.4 km 

 

and here I’m with NSW Masters swim administrator Jillian Pateman (right) who came category second in the 1 km and the 2.4 km. Ingrid Reiger is in the middle.

 

There were some first class swimming performances. The winner of the female 1km and 2.4 km was Christie Krenkels andf the winner in the male 1 km and 2km was Kazmir Boskovic. Another outstanding performance came from  Wett One Damon Kendrick. Damon has one leg and is in the 50 years + category. Amazing!

 

 Here’s Damon. His puppy chewed the corner of his hat

 

 And here’s a puppy. Not Damon’s but a pretty special tri-colour collie.