Organised by the Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), the event was held in near perfect conditions at Elizabeth Beach. 

This year’s event had a different take to it with organisers introducing the Mini Rock - a shorter 600 metre swim which started at 11am. 

The first male home was former local Ethan Whiteman with a time of 6:05 closely followed by Tristan Hollard (6:15) and Lucan Corrigan (6:19). Another former local Allira Richardson took out the female title with a time of 6:27. In second place was Gabrielle Grieves (6:49) and third place went to Ellie Gresham (7:01). 

The main event, the 1.5km Rock to Rock, then commenced at noon with the under 30s first off the mark before the second group, the over 30s, headed out four minutes later.

Tristan Hollard proved his stamina by backing it up in his second swim of the day and took home the winner’s trophy with a time of 16:23 followed by Lucas Soars in second with a time of 16:27 and Ethan Whiteman in third (16:33). 

Allira Richardson repeated her earlier winning performance with a time of 16:34 followed by Gabrielle Grieves (18:15) and Jocelyn Pollock (19:08).

Other young locals who placed well were Layne Grant in third place in the female 14 to 18 years category with a time of 19:34; Nat Heath who placed sixth in the men’s 19 to 29 years with a time of 21:44; and Kasey Shepherd who placed second in the female 30 to 39 years with a time of 19:34.

Local veterans Anne Curtis placed second in the female 60 to 69 years with a time of 27:03, Sandra Fife placed fourth in the female 60 to 69 years with a time of 31:47 and Bruce Collins who took out first place in the male 60 to 69 years with a time of 23:25. 

Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club president Kel McCredie said despite the threat of rain over the weekend the event was held in near perfect weather and surf conditions.

“The weather sorted itself out and was kind to us on Sunday thank god,” he said.