Sigh of Relief from Channel Challenge organisers

The Channel Challenge organising committee were breathing a sigh of relief last Friday, when the state went into a five-day lockdown.
Back in January, the committee decided to cancel the popular event, due to Covid-restrictions and at the time noted if they went ahead, there was a real risk the event could have to be cancelled at short notice.

“Just imagine how we would be feeling right now with $10,000 worth of printed t-shirts sitting in the upstairs area of the San Remo Hotel and preparations well advanced for 500 – 600 competitors to hit the water tomorrow and the news came out that the event has to be cancelled/postponed with less than 24 hours’ notice,” said Ron Nicholson, a spokesperson for the committee.

“Well done to those who argued for the deferment of the event until 2022 – your fears about the risk factor have proven to be well founded.”
Unfortunately the lockdown meant the substitute dinner planned for Saturday February 13 at the San Remo Hotel couldn’t go ahead.

Sixty-five life members and legends of the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club were getting together for an event that was also a “soft launch” for Graeme Clauscen’s new book on the history of the club, “Wild about Wooli” (see separate story).“That would have been quite a reunion,” said Ron.

“However this very sudden lockdown of the entire State will impact some people in a far more serious manner than us and I can’t help but feel very sorry for those people who had weddings scheduled for tomorrow – this would be devastating for them.
“We can now thank our lucky stars and focus on putting on a great series of events in 2022 and hoping that the year off creates a real appetite to reinvigorate our iconic Channel Challenge event for many years to come.”