2014 Hamilton Island Fujifilm Triathlon + Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim Posted by Gemma Christie - 3 December 2014 The starting gun sounds and the Whitsundays’ idyllic Whitehaven Beach bursts into a sea of splashing and thrashing. Arms and legs fly. They’re off. Over a hundred swimmers, from former Olympians to the everyday swimming enthusiast, take to the water for this year’s Hamilton Island’s Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim; without a doubt, the most picturesque ocean swim on the Australian sporting calendar. Some fitness fanatics can’t get enough, coming back for more having competed in the Hamilton Island Fujifilm Triathlon the day prior. Whether they hit the track on the bike, swum Catseye Beach or ran the island’s hills and flats – or conquered all three – there’s no denying competitors here on island this weekend are pushing their bodies to the limit. Although faces cross the finish line with grins of pure exhaustion mixed with beaming satisfaction, every competitor agrees – there’s no sporting event that compares. Every competitor knows they will celebrate their race efforts by returning to their waterfront accommodation on the tropical paradise which is Hamilton Island. Let’s face it. There is no better place to race. There is no better place to recover. There are many competitors who can attest to our theory that Whitsundays tropical paradise is the best cure for tired muscles (not to mention perhaps a night and glass of Charles Heidsieck at the island’s blissful luxury resort, qualia if you’re after a super quick fix ...)! And as for the support crew over the weekend, no wonder we span the crowd and see so many smiling cheering squads. Mum, dad and the kids are loving their fitness focused Great Barrier Reef family holiday. Loved-up-plus-ones are relishing their cheerleading role while enjoying a romantic island getaway. Whether you’re sweating it out or head cheerleader, everyone is a winner this weekend. Speaking of winners, it’s time to make sure you’re just that in 2015. Get your fitness goals started on the right track by setting solid targets to work towards. Our triathlon celebrity team runner, Lynette Bolton used this weekend to do just that so why not do the same? Choose a couple of sporting events and lock them in to keep you motivated and on top of your training ... and if some of these happen to involve a Whitsundays holiday at the same time, even better. ; ) Hamilton Island’s 2015 sporting events It’s time to get the diary out. Here are the dates for Hamilton Island’s 2015 sporting events. Hilly Half Marathon – 3 May Clash of the Paddles – 11-14 June Great Whitehaven Run – 20 June Triathlon/Ocean Swim – 20-22 Nov Need some inspiration? Check out these great shots from the weekend. The physical challenge and test of endurance mixed with paradise will have you itching to get outside and training for the year ahead. If you raced this weekend and want to look through all the event happy snaps, feel free to browse through the online photo gallery found here: http://www.hamiltonislandphotography.com.au/categories/triathlon-2014 Photos by Andrea Francolini + Tom Edwards About the Author As Hamilton Island’s Communications Manager, Gemma is passionate about both writing and all things to do with Hamilton Island tropical island paradise. Sharing all the news, insights and interesting stories from the destination perfectly combines both loves. When not writing, Gemma can be found dancing for no reason, going out for breakfast, soaking up the beach or spending time with her family doing all of the above.