Calling on swimmers, kayakers and generosity
Monash Tritones 2012
The Monash Tritones have dusted off their swim caps and are all set to swim for a good cause in the upcoming Giants of the Bay event.
Associate Dean (Education) of the Faculty of Art Design & Architecture (MADA), Kit Wise, is one of six current and former staff, braving the gruelling 30km open water event to raise money for and improve awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
“Last year we came third and raised $17,000, and we hope to get near that again this year,” Mr Wise said.
“Priscilla Chow, Friedo Lithart, Pablo Pizzuto, Jenny Bennett and myself, have all been training regularly as a group from Mentone beach in preparation, with lots of individual pool, river and ocean swimming as well.
“One of us has swum 30km over two days before and I have done a few 5km swims, but this is still a huge challenge.”
Initially running over two days last year, this year is set to be the longest open water swim in Australia held over one day with Giants of the Bay participants swimming 30km around the Bellarine Peninsula, starting at Portarlington and finishing at Point Lonsdale.
Mr Wise described the inaugural event as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to take part in a worthy cause.
“It is a friendly spirited event with participants honouring the bigger picture of the event,” Mr Wise said.
“We are still looking for two volunteer paddlers (kayakers) to escort the team of swimmers in the water, paddling alongside to make sure we are OK. The paddlers will rotate throughout the course of the day.”
The race held on Saturday 9 March 2013 is open to solo, duo and teams of four or six people.
For more information visit the Giants of the Bay website or to volunteer as a kayak paddler contact Kit Wise on +61 3 9903 1941 or email kit.wise@monash.edu.