At 62, Rose Leamon is still setting the pace.

The long-time ocean swimmer stunned herself - and much of the field - by winning her age category at this year’s Coal Classic 5km ocean swim, also finishing ninth overall among all female competitors.

“I honestly thought if I was lucky, I’d be battling for third or fourth,” Leamon said.

Last year, she missed the podium by a fraction, finishing fourth by just one-hundredth of a second. This time, she stood on top of it.

“I’m blown away,” she said. “It was unexpected, but I’m absolutely delighted.”

The win marks her third of the year, just the previous weekend she won the 60 Plus race at the 2.2km Mollymook Ocean Swim, while on 8 February she led the pack home in the 60 Plus category of the North Bondi Classic 2km event.

Leamon has been swimming most of her life. Raised on a farm in northern New South Wales, she joined swim squads at 11 and never really stopped - apart from a decade-long break after moving to Sydney for her first job.

It was in her late 20s that she discovered ocean swimming, encouraged by former Olympian and coach Graham Brewer to take her pool fitness into the surf.

“At that time, ocean swimming as a sport was still developing. There was no peak body, and only about 10 Sydney beaches hosted swims, mostly as surf club fundraisers,” she said.

“I was 29 when I did my first event - the Palm Beach to Whale Beach swim, about 2.5 kilometres - and I’ve never stopped since. I fell in love with it straight away.”

Unlike pool swimming, which centres on short, explosive races, the ocean offered rhythm and continuity - no tumble turns, no lane ropes, just open water and steady pace.

“I like continuous swimming. Just getting into a rhythm and getting lost in the moment,” she said. “It feels nurturing - like being enveloped in a big hug.”

Rose at the North Bondi Classic. Photo: Gerringong Surf Club

Now a member of the Werri Point Swimmers in Gerringong, Leamon has been so enthusiastic about the support she’s received from the group.

“The group is wonderfully supportive. Most members swim for enjoyment, saltwater immersion and connection rather than competition, but they’re incredibly encouraging of those of us who race,” she said.

The Coal Classic was one of her main goals of the season and in addition to winning her over-50 age category, Leamon’s ninth-place overall female finish was particularly meaningful given the event’s broad age divisions.

“They only have two categories - under 50 and over 50 - and I’m 62,” she said. “So to come ninth overall was a real surprise.”

While the podium finish was a thrill, it’s clear what keeps her returning to the water.

“It’s the community, the rhythm, the ocean,” she said. “I just love it.”

Next on Rose’s list is The Captain Christie at Werri Beach on 18 April.