CRONULLA Surf Life Saving Club's biggest fundraiser of the year has secured a long-term sponsorship deal.
Property company PAYCE will sponsor the Cronulla Shark Island Swim and Cronulla Beach Fun Swim events for the next five years.
The 2015 beach swim event is on this Sunday with many participants taking advantage of the warm weather and good ocean conditions for training swims.
One of the Shark Island Swim's keenest competitors is 64-year-old Paul Croft, a four-times Paralympian with a love of many sports.
Despite three knee reconstructions and a serious pushbike accident in recent years, Paul is fit and once again looking forward to this year's Shark Island Swim.
"Last year was such a great day, with perfect weather and the water was so clean you could see the bottom and schools of fish," he said.
"I love Cronulla beach and have been swimming there for longer than I like to remember, but the Cronulla Surf Club fundraiser day is one special day I look forward to.
"Nothing beats the swim around Shark Island and the final run up the beach, egged on by your mates and the crowd."
Paul has been preparing with two-kilometre swims in the local pool.
"I won't be at the pointy end of the field [on race day], but I can proudly say I have never failed to finish a race in my sporting career, despite hitting the pain barrier a number of times," he said.
The main event, the PAYCE Shark Island Swim is held over the 2.3 kilometre course and the winner in both the male and female categories gets to take home $1000 in prizemoney.
PAYCE managing director Brian Boyd said his company was pleased to support such an important fundraiser for the surf club.
"PAYCE came on board as the major naming sponsor last year as part of a five-year sponsorship agreement and we couldn't be more pleased with the success of the two events and the level of participation," Mr Boyd said.
See details: http://www.sharkislandswim.com.au/
