Media Release - Monday April 12th 2010

Budgie smugglers and speed-suits merged with boardies and bikinis on Sunday as over 250 swimmers took to the Coolangatta surf for the inaugural Cooly Classic Ocean Swim.

The revered Snapper Rocks surf relented and competitors were greeted with calm seas and blue skies for the swim start. Nervous excitement soon erupted into a frenzied burst as swimmers plunged into the crystal clear waters.

While weekend warriors were still settling in for the challenge ahead, an elite bunch battled for the lead out front en route to their finish at Kirra Beach.

The late withdrawal of hot favourite and current Australian 5km and 10km open water champion, Trent Grimsey, had left the inaugural honours open to the field and it was 19 year old Brisbane swimmer and Tangalooma runner-up, Jackson Van Der Zant, who emerged from the water first.

Van Der Zant crossed the line in a time of 23 mins 58 seconds, chased hard all the way to the finish by Michael Sheil only 8 seconds behind.

17 year old Caitlyn Zillman was peerless in the Women's field finishing over 3 and a half minutes clear of second place, Tangalooma Women's winner Robyn Saultry.

Event Director, John Guise, commented that "feedback from swimmers has been overwhelming" and expects the event to gain a strong following in future adding "I think we saw the start of something special for Cooly here today"

The Cooly Classic was the second event in the new, three part, annual Queensland Ocean Swim Series. The third and final event, Kings of the Coast, will be held at Caloundra on May 30th where another field of strong local swimmers are expected to take up the challenge.

For more information on the Queensland Ocean Swim Series go to www.weekendwarriorevents.com.au

Below:  Swimmers take the plunge at Snapper Rocks Beach...