Great Keppel Island Swim

Had a fantastic holiday weekend swimming the solo 20km Great keppel Island swim, with fellow Tomato swimmer Brett Stephenson. Brett had decided to sail ahead a couple of days before me and relax a few days on the island before the swim to get the lay of the land. The Dodgy dippers were there for the team swim event and Andy Brockelsby and Andy Hamilton were there attempting the 5km swim. I arrived in Yeppoon the day before and ferried across early the day of the swim to meet up with Brett and the other Tassie contingents. Due to the weather conditions and staff levels our planned  swim had been given the plan B flag .Still 20km but swimming from Fishermans Beach to Svendsen Beach Point with a return swim to finish at Fisherman's Beach, a few minor circles along the way to make 20km. The start of the swim at 0930 was against the tide and the return was with the tide except for a 6km return circle that was back against the tide at the end very taxing on the body. The water was approx 17c warm for us Tassie swimmer's and air Temp was about 21c. It had been unseasonably cold this winter they said, I was hoping for warmer water coming from our ice temperatures. The island has accommodation but usually booked well ahead of time so need to get in early. There is the essential bar and restaurant and regular ferry times to and from the island. If you need supplies for the weekend you need to ferry across to Yeppoon and visit a supermarket and ferry them back with you. Both myself and Brett completed the swim sporting our Tomatoes caps. The after party and BBQ started around 5pm and finished when the last drinkers left the bar. Overall a must do swim, i have accommodation booked for next year already, hopefully more Tomatoes might join me next time. 

Doug Hughson.