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23rd August 2009 The 9th Annual Island Charity Swim from Mudjimba to Mooloolaba. Jack Carmine is the first swimmer out of the water at Mooloolaba, again after winning 9 years in a row. Photo:Jason Dougherty/184596 The Sunshine Coast’s generous community spirit was on display for all to see yesterday morning as almost 100 people from all walks of life took part in the annual Island Charity Swim. The swim from Mudjimba around Old Woman Island to Mooloolaba is the major fundraiser for the Nambour and Currimundi special schools, helping to buy much needed equipment for students with physical and learning disabilities. For the ninth time in as many years, Jack Carmine was the first out of the water at the Mooloolaba Spit, to applause from hundreds of supporters and spectators on the beach. With the help of a brisk northerly wind, the Alexandra Headland painter clocked a personal best time of one hour and 50 minutes. Jack had been concerned when he heard before the start that because of the winds and choppy seas, event co founder Ashley Robinson was considering abandoning the swim.
“Ashley was going to call it off,†Jack said. “I said ‘mate I’ve been waiting nine years for a tailwind, you can’t call it off now’.â€