Entries open for Swan River water swim event

Elite and recreational swimmers are encouraged to enter Australia's richest open water swim event to be held in the Swan River on Sunday 20th January 2013 as part of the new BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series.
Launching the open water component last week, Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron said the elite and mass participation event would cater for swimmers of all capabilities.
Minister Waldron explained "there'll be races over 10 kilometres, 5 kilometres, 2.5 kilometres, 1.25 kilometres and 500m in five different age group categories for males and females so everyone can get involved and with $100,000 in prize money on offer we expect many of the world's best distance swimmers to come to Perth to compete.
"With the CBD as the backdrop to the course, it should be a spectacular event."
The Western Australian Government is sponsoring this multi-faceted event through Eventscorp and Royalties for Regions.
Western Australian Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the unique BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series would also include an elite pool competition and international water polo.
Dr Hames added "some of the world's best swimmers will be competing outdoors at Challenge Stadium when the Australian, Chinese and South African national swim teams vie for a rich prize pool. The water polo will feature reigning Olympic men's champions Croatia going head to head with our Australian national team, as well as the Australian and Chinese women's teams.
"There's also an extensive Regional Community Engagement Program, funded by Royalties for Regions, which involves some of Australia's best coaches, swimmers and water polo players, past and present, participating in a number of events and activities in regional WA.
"We expect the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series to grow over the coming years and become an annual feature on the international sporting calendar."
The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series will be held from 18th to 20th January 2013.

http://www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au