Hayden Squance sets early season marker in Blue September swim

LUZ ZUNIGA/STUFF: Swimmers begin Sunday’s Blue September swim.

On Sunday, 37 swimmers braved cool sea temperatures to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the fifth annual Blue September swim organised by the Nelson Triathlon Club.

Hayden Squance made short work of the 650m course, finishing in 8 minutes 31 seconds.

Matthew Hansen handled the organisational side of the event on behalf of sponsor Placemakers, but still found the energy to chase Squance to the finish, clocking 9min 5sec, ahead of Jacob Babb (9.29) and Jon Linyard (9.37).

Kerry Mathieson (9.40) was the first woman home, ahead of Matt Newberry (10.09), Wendy Healey (10.35), Emily Dalton (10.37) and Renee Hunt (10.59).

Fundraising was the order of the day, with Marlborough’s Peter Colbert gathered up support worth $520 and Sandra McGregor pressing her swim mates for about $450 in support.

With race entries, personal fundraising and the race day barbecue, close to $3500 was raised for the Foundation.

The club’s next sea swim is the South Island Masters Games 750m event on October 8.

The Port Nelson series begins on November 9 and continues throughout the summer.

 – Stuff