The event was held in conjunction with the Flowing Festival and Dragon Boat Challenge and was organised by Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) Snowy Mountains.

Money raised goes towards solar panels for the Jindabyne Rural Fire station shed.

Acacia Rose Convenor of the Snowy Mountains Chapter of Clean Energy for Eternity said: “The strong support for the CEFE Life Saving Energy Swim Series means the group is closer to completing the solar panels project for the Jindabyne RFS.”

“We would like to thank our major sponsors, as well as the many local businesses and individuals who have sponsored the swims and made it possible to place solar panels on the Jindabyne RFS Shed,” Ms Rose said.

There were two races this year: - the traditional swim from Kalkite to Banjo Paterson Park and the inaugural Strzelecki Dash. This 1.2km swim went from the Jindabyne Holiday Park around to Banjo Paterson Park.

Jindabyne’s Noelene Dahlen-Maclean, who is about to celebrate her 80th birthday, was the veteran of the field but an early mishap with a rock in the water meant a change of tactics was necessary for her to finish as planned.

The winner was the Member for the Monaro, Steve Whan, with a time of 13 mins 30 secs followed by Brett Thomas with 15 mins 30 secs. The first woman across the line was Virginia Sprague with 16 mins 43 secs.

Lindsay Wall took out first place in the Big Swim with a time of 1 hour 41 mins with Mark Weiland coming second with 1 hour 43 min 43 secs.

Alina Plescan came third overall and was the first female swimmer home.

Alina then swam two more laps of the 7.2 km course to raise money for CEFE before finishing for the day.

Second in the women’s field was Clare Mantle finishing in 1 hour 57 mins 42 secs and third went to Emma Spinks with 2 hours 4 minutes. Third in the men’s competition was Brendan Wall with 1 hour 53 mins 10secs.