Summer is something we as Australians have down to a fine art – whether you’re MacGyvering together an air con using a fan and an esky of ice, or headed to the beach to cool off: most of us have it pretty well sorted. Despite the oppressive heat, summer is a big time for sport and fitness in this sun-baked country of ours, especially here on the Sunshine Coast. From endurance to motor sport, it’s all happening here this summer. One of the first summer sport events off the ranks this year is the Noosa Summer Swim, and it’s bigger than ever.

This February 11th and 12th Noosa Heads will again play host to a World Series Swim event – the Noosa Summer Swim. This mammoth endurance swimming event has grown this year to include two days of events to test the metal of anyone daring enough to step up and put pride on the line in any of the days events. But of course, the event isn’t just about glory and endurance, it’s also a chance to help make a difference to some young lives. All entrants to the event will have the opportunity to start fund-raising for the Kids Cancer Project, an official partner in the World Series Swims events. The Kids’ Cancer Project is a national charity dedicated to supporting childhood cancer research. Kids’ get different types of cancer to adults and research is discovering more targeted and effective ways to help kids while minimising the long-term side effects treatment can bring. Twenty years since its inception, and the charity has raised over $30 million for various research projects across Australia, and plans to continue to support these research efforts. Such research initiatives represent a serious and considered approach to fighting back, providing new treatment options and giving hope to the 950 children and young adolescents diagnosed each year.

So its all for a good cause, but what if you’re not the best swimmer? Well luckily there’s an event for every skill level. Saturday the 11th consists of the lighter events, including the 2 and 1km adult events, as well as the ‘Junior Giants’ for 8-16 year olds. On the following day come the huge 5k Noosa Grand Prix swim, which will consist of some of Australia’s most talented pool and open water swimmers competing over a multi-lap course through the waters of Noosa’s Main Beach, offering competitors a grand prize of $5000. Finally there’s the 1.5km ‘Social Swim’. This event is a single lap of the Grand Prix course, but is a completely relaxed format and just for fun.

Overall it’s sure to be a great event, with a good cause and a fabulous community spirit. For those interested in the event, entries are open on their official webpage up on the World Series Swims website, along with a map of each course, as well as more information on the sponsor partners of the event.