Woombye open water swimmer Lori Wallis is deep in training for what will be her longest swim yet – the 11km Island Charity Swim.

By Richard Bruinsma

Woombye open water swimmer Lori Wallis is deep in training for what will be her longest swim yet – the 11km Island Charity Swim.
She is training heavily three times a week at the Palmwoods Pool, and each Sunday conducts an individual ocean swim to help prepare her for the event.
“The number one reason I’m entering is it raises funds for the Currimundi and Nambour Special Schools, for their education and, number two, is it’s a very good challenge for myself, as I’ve been doing open water swimming events over the last five years and this is the biggest one yet,” Ms Wallis said.
The Charity Island Swim will be held on May 12, and will see the swimmers set off from Mudjimba Beach, swim around Old Woman Island, and then return to shore outside Mooloolaba Surf Club.
“I’m very excited, I think it’s exciting because so many people are involved, and you do this all together,” Ms Wallis said.
“It’s definitely not a race at all, there’s no winners, every entrant is a winner just for participating and raising funds for the schools, and I’m excited, it’s a whole team effort and a community effort, it’s a good challenge, it’ll be good fun.”
She’s been training under coach Peter White and Palmwoods Swimfit Pool manager mark Branch.
“I go down to Mooloolaba every Sunday and I swim from the spit to the Loo with a View to get that open water swimming training as well as swimming three times a week in a pool,” she explained.
“They do recommend you do at least three squad sessions a week and one ocean a week to get your fitness and training up to that level.
“We’ve been concentrating a lot on race pace and endurance training and also, of course, when you’re out there on the island swim, you have a paddler with you and a boatie, for safety.”
The Island Charity Swim is described as a test of endurance for the participants and is a major fundraiser for disabled children across the Sunshine Coast.
“It is a unique challenge, not only for a very worthy cause but its completion guarantees inclusion in swimming folklore, an exclusive club reserved for those who meet the fundraising requirements and complete the course,” event organisers said.
“The great work that both schools provide is invaluable to the community, with the Nambour and Currimundi Special Schools educating many of the Sunshine Coast’s physically and mentally disabled children each year.”

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