Harkin yesterday took out the first round of the 2010 Shipwreck Coast Swim Series, the Port Fairy Moyneyana Ocean Swim.

She led the 1.2-kilometre race throughout, clinching victory in 18 minutes and eight seconds.

"I swam pretty much the whole race by myself," Harkin said.

"It was great just to get out there and have a good swim. The conditions were really good. It was pretty calm and there was a bit of a swell coming back so it was great to catch a wave home."

Harkin will use the race to prepare for the national triathlon series in Canberra later this month and the Oceania championships in New Zealand in March.

She will miss the Shipwreck Coast series' next races in Port Campbell and Warrnambool.

"I've got an altitude training camp in Thredbo on the 10th for three weeks so I won't be able to make it to the next two in the Shipwreck Coast.

"While we're up there we'll compete in Canberra. I still love the local races though. They're good and always competitive."

Ryan Jennings took out the Moyneyana swim's male category. The 19-year-old Warrnambool swimmer's victory time was 16 minutes and eight seconds.

He powered to the front of the pack at the last buoy on the home stretch.

"I gave a little bit of kick to get back home," he said.

"It was my first open water race for the season. It was great to start with a win."

Jennings is hoping to better his result this year from the 2009 series. He won the first two races last year, only to come second in the third.

"I'm not complaining but it would be nice to win all three races."

He is set to compete in the Lorne Pier to Pub and the Danger 1000 Ocean Swim in Torquay later this month.