Community Rallies for Second Annual Dave Winner Ocean Swim
The picturesque shores of Coalcliff Beach came alive last weekend as more than eighty swimmers gathered for the highly anticipated Dave Winner beach to Bombie ocean swim. This marquee event, now in its second year, continues to honour the remarkable legacy of life member Dave Winner while promoting vital water safety awareness across Australia.
Competitive Spirit Meets Coastal Beauty
Participants tackled the challenging near two-kilometre course that showcases one of the Illawarra region's most stunning coastal locations. The event attracted both competitive athletes and recreational ocean enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere of community spirit and personal achievement.
Harry Came, competing in the Men's 20-29 category, emerged victorious with an impressive time of 23:40 for the 1.5 kilometre distance. Close behind was Ivy Gerstner from the Women's 15-19 division, who crossed the finish line at 25:06 minutes, securing second place overall and first in the women's competition.
More Than Just a Swim: A Life-Saving Legacy
While the beach to Bombie swim has been a community tradition for fifteen years, it took on profound new meaning in 2023 when renamed to honour Dave Winner. The local surf life saving stalwart survived a near-drowning and spinal injury while surfing at Coalcliff Beach in 2021, leaving him a partial quadriplegic.
Remarkably, Winner's survival was made possible by quick-thinking bystanders - including one person he had personally trained in CPR during his tenure as Coalcliff's Chief Instructor. This powerful full-circle moment brought to life Winner's often-repeated teaching: "One day, the life you save may be mine."
Club captain Rob Deacon emphasized the event's significance, stating: "It's a chance to challenge yourself, celebrate our coastline, and come together as a community."
The Dave Winner Foundation now leads an ambitious mission to train one million Australians in CPR for free by 2030. Supported by the IMB Bank Community Foundation, the organization delivers both in-person and online training, ensuring life-saving skills are accessible to everyone regardless of background or financial means.
This year's successful event demonstrates how community sports can transcend competition to become powerful vehicles for social change and life-saving education.
