Muller’s global assault
AFTER nearly a lifetime helping others, Townsville’s Bruce Muller is now swimming towards his own goal.
Muller, 63, will be among the city’s top swimmers in this year’s Townsville Open Water Swimming Association fiverace series starting tomorrow along The Strand.
Called the Pool 2 Pool, the Round 1 swim will start at the Rockpool, travel the length of The Strand and finish in front of Tobruk Pool.
Muller regularly swims 15km a week and is no stranger to open water swimming, having completed a host of long distance swims including the MS 12- hour Swimathon.
The Rats of Tobruk Masters Swim Club member will use the Townsville series as preparation for this year’s San Sebastian Swim in Spain, which at three kilometres is well within Muller’s reach and will be far cooler to what he experiences in the tropics.
“In latitude the location of the swim is about the equivalent of Dunedin in New Zealand,” Muller said.
“The only thing I’m worried about is the cold, and it will be a good, tough swim.
“There’s about 500 to 600 competitors taking part as well, so it’s a swim you have to be well prepared for.”
Muller is a familiar face to many locals, given his years of work with organisations including the Red Cross, RSL Care Rowes Bay and North Queensland Cowboys.
Muller, who has battled cancer, retired from his role as Cowboys’ community programs co- ordinator last year but still works as indigenous education volunteer at NRL Cowboys House.
His community accolades includes a Spirit of Townsville Australia Day award, Pride of Australia medal nomination and Australian Red Cross Society service medal.
Muller gave himself 12 months after finishing at the Cowboys to have an overseas holiday.
“So myself and a good friend, who is Basque, are going over and taking part in the San Sebastian Swim and I’m sure it will be a good swim and also a good adventure,” he said
The five- race Townsville series concludes with the “The Last Swim” on August 13.
Registrations for tomorrow’s Round 1 swim open at 6.30am at the Rockpool, with the start at 7.30am.