Man dies during bay swim in Victoria

A man has died while competing in a swimming race out of Port Melbourne.

The 51-year-old was an entrant in the Big Bay Swim.

He was pulled unconscious from the water by life savers, who were monitoring the event, part way through the swim about 10.30am on Sunday.

Paramedics were unable to revive him.

The 3.2km open-water race crosses Melbourne's shipping channel.

It follows a straight route from Sandridge Lifesaving Club, in Port Melbourne, to Williamstown.