Inverell East Rotary auspices the growing annual event off Fireball Point from 10am, which features a 500m (open and under 14), and open swims in 1km, 2.5km, and 5km. 

East Rotary member Alistair Williams has been on the committee since the event’s inception, and said they have already have double the online registrations from 2016. 

“Registrations are double what we had last year on line. Last year we have 180 all up nominations with only about 26 to 30 online regos,” Alistair said. 

“We’re up to 50 online regos now, and if we do pretty well with on the day registrations, we should have a bigger event.”

Alistair said Copeton has risen with the recent rains, and that bodes well for the swimmers, with the water’s edge now on clean grass.

“There was a bit of clearing to be done to tidy the site, but it’s worked out really well, because now we have a granite road that the swimmers can start on,” he said.

“So they can run into the water on a made road, rather than us having to lay carpet out right into the water.” 

Twenty-five Yamba Surf Lifesavers will return with their own boats, joined by a flotilla of volunteers in kayaks to keep a close eye on all the competitors.

Alistair said they have never had an emergency incident in the event’s history. Registrations and check in are from 8:45am. More information on www.copetonswim.com.