Old and young put best stroke forward

Tegze Haraszti has probably braved the chilly waters off the Huntington Beach jetty more than any other competitor in the city’s annual Pier Swim. At half-past 65 years of age, he’ll be trunking it again during the 57th annual event Saturday.

Haraszti, of Newport Beach, “has been swimming forever,” said Dottie Hughes, the city’s recreation programs director. He first won the event in 1983, and during his last decade, won the Super Masters men’s event. Last year, Haraszti won the Ultra Masters, said Hughes.

There are many older swimmers who come back every year to compete in the swim around the pier, Hughes said.

Regardless of the swimmers’ age, what’s difficult about this swim, Hughes said, is that “as you near the shore, the current pulls you down.” Swimmers could be pulled right into the pilings, so they have to swim wide to make it to shore.

“Sometimes people run into the pier and they get cuts from the pier pilings,” Hughes said. “Last year, there were a couple people that couldn’t make it around and they were brought in. It’s never anything serious but it’s something to be aware of.”

Swimmers will enter the water just south of Main Street. The goal is to swim once around the pier, a distance of about half a mile.

The men and women and senior men and women divisions will hit the water first, at 8:45 a.m., followed by the masters through ultra masters divisions at 9:30 a.m. The juniors division will hit the surf at approximately 10:15 a.m.

Though the water temperature will likely be in the low- to mid-60s, no wetsuits are allowed, but brightly-colored swim caps are recommended. Swimmers must be at least 12 years old.

There are about 200 competitors who have pre-registered, a number that Hughes expects will double during late registration between 8 and 8:30 a.m. on the beach Saturday.

“If everybody has a good time and gets around the pier safely, I’m happy,” Hughes said.