This was published 9 years ago
Swimming The Rip
The Rip is the swift flow of water that passes through the narrow 3.4km channel connecting Port Phillip Bay with Bass Strait. It can be extremely choppy or look deceptively smooth with unpredictable whirlpools, freak waves, sharks, commercial ships and blue blubbers. There have been many unsuccessful attempts. Today Grant Siedle swam the rip without a wet suit in tribute to the first successful rip crossing by Doug Mew on this day in 1971.
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Girlfriend Kate Birrell wishes swimmer Grant Siedle luck with a kiss just before he gets into the water to swim across the rip, June 13, 2016. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle preparing for his swim today June 13, 2016. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Grant enters the water at Point Lonsdale to swim across the rip to Point Nepean. Credit:
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Grant Siedle sets off from Point Lonsdale today to swim the rip, June 13, 2016. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Two seals join Grant in the swim. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Grant swimming through the shipping lane. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:Justin McManus
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Grant just makes it through the shipping lane before a ship passes through.Credit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Grant just makes it through the shipping lane before a ship passes through. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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Grant celebrates on the beach at Point Nepean after successfully completing the swim. Photo: Justin McManusCredit:
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A cold and exhausted Grant is congratulated by girlfriend Kate.Credit:Justin McManus
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Swimmer Grant Siedle re-enacts the swim of Doug Mew across the rip from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean on the same day 13th June just wearing speedos. Support team Eugene and girlfriend Kate celebrate and warm Grant up after the swim.Credit:
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At 11.00 am 39 year old used car dealer Doug Mew enters the water at Point Lonsdale to start his swim across The Rip to Point Nepean. Waiting offshore are some of the 20 or so small boats to escort him across the Heads in Port Phillip Bay, 1971. Credit:Fairfax Photographic
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A container ship sails in the South Chanel on Port Phillip Bay near Rosebud heading west towards The Rip. Picture by Craig Abraham Credit:
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Used car dealer Doug Mew, 39, runs along the beach at Point Lonsdale to start his swim across The Rip to Point Nepean. Mew, swam The Rip, from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean, in just under 70 minutes. Credit:Fairfax Photographic
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Used car dealer, Doug Mew, swam The Rip, from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean, in just under 70 minutes, June 13, 1971.Credit:
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Used car dealer, Doug Mew, swam The Rip, from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean, in just under 70 minutes.Credit:Fairfax Photographic