It did not dampen the enthusiasm for locals, with Cape Hawke’s Connor Shakespeare and local competitor Hayden Smith taking out second and third. Last year’s winner Jack Burnham from Currimumdi in Queensland returned to defend his title from last year, while it was a third title in a row for Maddison Carnegie from Bella Vista as the first of the women finishers. 

This year 69 swimmers took part in the race from Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) around to Forster SLSC on Main Beach, about 30 down on last year. 

Reports of huge swells put a damper on entrants, especially as Coogee and Mollymook swims also scheduled for Sunday were cancelled. 

The breakers allowed for a good start for most and competitors were looking for a bumpy ride to Bennetts Head. Jack Burnham, Connor Shakespeare and Hayden Smith led the pack along One Mile with Maddison Carnigie in hot pursuit with Lucas Soars not far off. While there was a southerly swell out to sea, the conditions were reasonably mild along One Mile Beach. 

At the end of One Mile, Jack Burnham put on a bit of speed and his success from his recent competitive races showed as he gapped the others by 50m by the Rotary Lookout. By the time the steps at Frewin’s Walk came up it was just a matter of how far he was going to win by.

At Forster Main Beach the crowd was looking out for the lead swimmer and his ski paddler as he turned Haydens Reef and headed for the finish. Jack Burnham came home in 55.04 with Connor Shakespeare behind in 58.13 and Hayden Smith third in his first Dorsal Club 2 Club swim in 58.35. Times were down on last year, reflecting the more challenging conditions in the water. 

In the ladies, Maddison Carnegie again flew home in first position in 59.40 with Pamela Nix second in 66.00 and Forster local Allira Richardson in 67.03.

Other notable finishers were Cape Hawke’s Emily Nash, fourth lady home in 68.24, major sponsor John Koorey in 72.49 and Russell (Tiger) Jackson in 101.03.

In the lead-up events, the 250m Forster Tuncurry Physiotherapy, the first three home were Connor Shakespeare, Jack Burnham and Daniel Cole. This was a nice little warm-up swim and a good way for new swimmers to get involved. Organisers thanked Wayne Gooley and his team at Forster Tuncurry Physiotherapy for supporting the event.

The Mudcrabs 1k had 29 starters this year with a challenging clockwise course set. A kilometre in the water does seem pretty far. In this event some were also using it as a warm up to the Dorsal Club 2 Club and for others it was their first ocean swim. Congratulations to all. Top three men were Jack Burnha, Hayden Cotter and Connor Shakespeare while in the ladies event Maddie Carnegie, Bridget Cole and Jamie Cotter were first home.

Organisers thanked its sponsors, work party, water safety from Cape Hawke and Forster Surf Life Saving Clubs and of course all the swimmers for making it a great day. They look forward to seeing you all again in 2015.