ILUKA sisters Kaitlyn (14) and Tiffany (16) Illingworth will be two of the youngest swimmers competing solo in Sunday’s 16th annual Busselton Jetty Swim.
After watching the iron man and triathlon events previously in Busselton, the girls decided it was time to compete.
“I thought it would be good to feel the pain of just the swim,” Kaitlyn said.
“I want to see how fast I can make it around the jetty,” Tiffany said.
Competitors can swim the 3.6km course around the Busselton jetty individually or in teams of two or four.
“I’m a little bit nervous of getting to the end but I’m excited too because it will be an accomplishment,” Kaitlyn said.
“I’ve heard the back of the jetty is choppy and hard to get to – I know I’ll be nervous at the start but will be fine once I get out there,” Tiffany said.
The girls swim three mornings a week at the Craigie Leisure Centre with the H2O Swim Academy and participate in the Sorrento open water triathlons.
“Our friends got us in to triathlons then dad bet me $50 I couldn’t beat him and I did and I just stuck to it,” Tiffany said.
“We’ve now made it a family sport and we have lots of support, especially from our grandparents.
“They think it’s good we’re doing this,” Kaitlyn said.
“Because most of our friends just sit around at home,” Tiffany added.
So far, 1046 people have entered this year’s Busselton Jetty Swim.
The 3.6km swim starts on the east side of the jetty, rounds the end of the jetty and finishes on the west side, with a run on to the beach to the finish line.
“My goal is to finish in under an hour-and-a-half,” Kaitlyn said.
“And I’d like to make an hour and be able to keep up with my friends who are also competing,” Tiffany added.