Tuggeranong Masters make a big splash in the 2024 Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims

Report by Mark van Deursen & Caz Makin

Calm waters and clear skies welcomed our club members and many other open water swimmers from around the ACT and NSW to Yarralumla Beach at Lake Burley Griffin for the first Canberra open water swimming event for 2024.

The annual Sri Chinmoy Lake Swims offer a racing distance of 5km, 2.5km, and 500m, and this year’s event took place on Sunday, 18 February 2024.

Vikings getting ready to race

With Greg Gourley and Janelle Ahern participating in the 5km, and James Thorpe, Nick Dando, Richard Philips, Lucy Jesiolowski, and Mark van Deursen swimming the 2.5km race, the Tuggeranong Masters were well represented.

After a short race briefing, the 5km event kicked off at 8am with the 2.5km event starting shorlty after.

Winners!

James took off in a flash and finished in a new all-time best race record of 32:47 for the 2.5km. Lucy took the gold medal in the female 60-69 category. Nick and Richard finished 3rd in the male under 50 and the male 50-59 category respectively. Mark finished 6th in the male under 50 category.

In the 5km event, Janelle secured a silver medal in the 50-59 category, with Greg finishing 4th in a tight race in the 60-69 category.

Many thanks to Sri Chinmoy for once again organising a classic swimming event in one of our Canberra lakes.

Check out the full race report, results, and photos.

Tuggeranong Masters Swimming ACT club members have taken part in open water swimming events for many years in Canberra and further afield. It certainly makes a change from following the black line in the pool!