By ALESHA CAPONE
IN A maritime miracle, Merrin McTaggart might one day turn into a mermaid.
For the past decade, the mother-of-two has taken part in the Jalna Big Bay Swim, from Port Melbourne to Williamstown across Port Phillip Bay.
At present Ms McTaggart is busy preparing for the 2013 swim, which will be held on Sunday 24 February.
Ms McTaggart said she grew up in Sunshine, but after her marriage moved to Hobsons Bay and joined the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club.
For years Ms McTaggart volunteered as a patroller at the Big Bay Swim before deciding to give it a go herself.
She now takes part in the event every year with her friends Samantha Cockfield and Liz Goga.
“I like the challenge and I like the swim, and the fact that it’s a destination swim,” Ms McTaggart said.
“It goes from Sandridge Life Saving Club to Williamstown and we’re not just swimming around buoys.
“I’m not a terribly great swimmer but once you get in the water, you know that you have to swim 3.2km and you put your head down and just swim.
“I would like to encourage a lot more people to get involved in the swim.”
The annual swim raises fund for charities supported by the Williamstown Point Gellibrand Rotary Club.
This year’s celebrity swimming guest will be Chloe McCardel, who has swam the English Channel six times.
In June Ms McCardel will attempt to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.
The first 50 early-bird entrants into Jalna Big Bay Swim before February 8 will go into draw to win a sea-kayak donated by Aquayak in Hoppers Crossing. Register at www.bigbayswim.com.au to take part in the swim.
