Couple proud of Jetty Swim
Richard and Leeanne Ford may have helped establish the Busselton Jetty Swim 20 years ago, but this will be the first time their two sons have volunteered at the February 8 event.
"Growing up in a volunteering household, they both thought we were mad," Leeanne says of Kalon, 26, and Arran, 22.
"When they were younger, they wouldn't even answer the phone in the month before the swim."
Richard and Leeanne were part of the original cohort, along with Max and Jenny Higgins, who started the well-known swimming event two decades ago. The Fords met in Perth in 1979 when they were both working at the Department of Mines.
Having enjoyed holidays in Busselton, they moved here in 1988 after Richard landed a job at the Department of Conservation and Land Management in Bunbury.
A shared interest in community and Richard's passion for sports led to him joining the Busselton Triathlon Club.
"Max (Higgins) floated this idea of swimming around the jetty and at first we thought he was mad," he says.
"But it wasn't such a bad idea and once we got our heads round the details, it started to come together."
The first swim in 1995 attracted just 80 swimmers and the winner - Aaron Milward - was greeted on the beach by a crowd of no more than 100 spectators.
"I was given the job of paddling a surf ski to lead everyone around the jetty," Richard says.
"I'd never been exposed to how good open swimmers are.
"It was amazing watching them move through the water so powerfully.
Over the years, the swim has become one of the State's best known sports events and this year more than 2000 participants will take to the water.
The committee and a team of 70 volunteers ensure everything runs smoothly and new technologies have been adopted to improve time recording and swimmers' safety.
Richard and Leeanne, who have also been involved with the SunSmart Ironman WA for the past 10 years, say they will continue working with the Jetty Swim for some time yet.
"I love the atmosphere," Leeanne says.
"Seeing all the plans come to fruition, having it all work and all the people being happy."
Richard says hearing the national anthem, the gun going off and watching waves of swimmers enter the water are great moments.
"With the success of the event … I can't see any dark clouds on the horizon," he says.
"Busselton should be proud of the Jetty Swim - we are."
