OCT 11, SAT: Forresters Beach Island Swim & Board Paddle
1.2 km, 11am - NSW Central Coast (Forresters Beach Board Riders + Wamberal SLSC) - Website - REPORT
OCT 11, SAT: Hunter River Swim, Morpeth
1.5km, 3pm (H Events) - Website - REPORT
OCT 12, SUN: East Coast Ocean Challenge - CANCELLED
Bondi (KMS Events) - privately run swim. Circuit course inside Bondi bay. Rules say "all FINA approved wetsuits may be worn for the swim event (If it sinks it’s approved) and; Wetsuits less than 5mm thickness are allowed." Ph 0417 470 529
NOVEMBER 08
NOV 1, SAT: Wollongong - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
1.5km, 5km, 10km - Belmore Basin - North Wollongong Beach - website
NOV 9, SUN: (NEW SWIM) Chowder Bay - NSW AUSSI Masters OW Champs - Postponed to April '09 2km, 1km, 10am - Chowder Bay/Clifton Gardens (NSW AUSSI Masters-North Sydney AUSSI Masters). Check for new date later in calendar.
NOV 9, SUN: Canberra - Sri Chinmoy National Capital Swim 9 km - Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra - solo or team relay - website
NOV 9, SUN: Penrith - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Sydney International Regatta Centre (Ripples St Marys SC) - website
NOV 16, SUN: Terrigal - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Terrigal Beach (Gosford Stingrays SC) - website - We're not sure what's happening with this swim. It was on the NSW Swimming calendar but now has disappeared. Gosford SC's February swim also is not listed.
NOV 16, SUN: Canberra - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
2.5km, 5km, 10km, Lake Burley Griffin (Telopea SC) - open to all swimmers - website
NOV 22, SAT: Honeysuckle Harbour Swim, Newcastle - CANCELLED 1 km - Part of Newcastle Olympic Triathlon Festival (HEvents) - Website
NOV 23, SUN: Balmain - Dawny's Cockatoo Challenge - Featured Swim 1 km, 2.4 km - Balmain (Balmain Water Polo). Website
NOV 23, SUN: (NEW SWIM) Cooks Hill - Baths2Bar - Featured Swim Merewether - Cooks Hill (Newcastle, Cooks Hill SLSC) - Website for online entries
NOV 29, SAT: Toowoon Bay Ocean Swim - Featured Swim 400 m, 1 km, 2 km - Toowoon Bay, central coast beach (Toowoon Bay SLSC) - website and online entries. - REPORT/RESULTS
NOV 29, SAT: Pool to Peak 2 km - Newport, northern Sydney beach (Newport SLSC) - REPORT/RESULTS
NOV 30, SUN: Tweed River Swim (The Killer Swim) - Featured Swim 2.5km, 1.2km, 400m - Murwillumbah (Murwillumbah Brass Monkeys SC) - email Marc Vining - This is the classic pre-Xmas northern NSW swim. Do two of three swims, or just one, of 400m nominated time swim, or either longer distances.
Organisers say of conditions: "River swim, gentle tides, some assistance for half the course". Min. age 12.
This will be your chance to meet the famous Killer. Don't let the pic at right put you off. He's smaller than this now, although still very, very colourful.
Killer and his cohorts swear blind that a weekend -- even just Sunday -- in Murwillumbah is a ripper of an experience. We're hoping oursleves to d this swim this season, providing we can get decent airfares in schoolies week.
DEC 6, SAT: North Curl Curl - 3 Points Challenge - Featured Swim 2km swim and/or total 900m swims/6km runs, km - North Curl Curl (North Curl Curl SLSC) - REPORT.
DEC 7, SUN: Bondi-Bronte 2 km (Bronte SLSC) - REPORT
DEC 13, SAT: Long Reef Ocean Swim - Featured Swim Long Reef, northern Sydney beach (Long Reef SLSC) - REPORT
DEC 14, SUN: Bilgola Big Swim - Featured Swim Bilgola, northern Sydney beaches (Bilgola SLSC) - REPORT
DEC 14, SUN: Jim Kerry Classic, North Wollongong
1.2km, Boat Harbour to North Beach.
DEC 28, SUN: Yamba - Convent to Main Beach Swim - Featured Swim
2km (11am), 700m (10am), Dash for Cash (200m, Noon), Yamba, North coast (Yamba SLSC) - Website.
1st of 3 legs in the North Coast Swim Series, the other two being Coffs Harbour (Mar 1) and South West Rocks (Mar 29). Complete all three legs and enter the draw for excellent holiday packages at Yamba, Coffs and South West Rocks.
Growing in popularity in recent years, particularly amongst holiday-makers on the NSW North Coast over Christmas, this swim offers a beautiful location with terrific beaches. Excellent way to get oneself feeling good again after Xmas indulgences.
There is a good alternative course (above) if conditions close out the ocean beach, too.
JAN 4, SUN: Captain Christie Classic - Gerringong
1.8km, 10am, near-South Coast beach (Gerringong SLSC) - registration at Gerringong SLSC, Werri Beach, start at Boat Harbour -- leave plenty of time to register then get around to Boat Harbour to the start. Course leaves Boat Harbour, then follows rock shelf back to Werri Beach. This is a lovely swim and a terrific day out. Gerringong SLSC makes visiting swimmers very welcome. It usually also runs a few associated events, eg a fishing competition, with the catch auctioned off in support of the club, a fashion parade, and a band adding to the atmosphere as you chaw on the barbie.
Event marks a swim by the original Capt Christie, master of a boat moored in Boat Harbour, around to Werri Beach, many, many years ago. He bet one of his crew a bottle of whisky that he could do it. And he did.
You can also enter at Gerringong SLSC on Saturday, January 3, between noon and 3pm, and on race day from 7.30am – 9.00am (NO ENTRIES AFTER 9AM). Entry fee $25 pre-race day, $30 on race day.
Event entry fee includes a presentation miniature bottle of whisky or rum to commemorate your swim, as the original Captain Christie (to be collected by responsible adult for under 18s), a swim cap, lots of prizes and lucky draws. All proceeds go to Gerringong Surf & Life Saving Club.
JAN 11, SUN: Hawks Nest - Bay to Breakers + Jimmys Splash
800m swim + 500m sand run + 1.1km swim or just 800m swim, + 300m Dash for Cash, Hawks Nest, Lower North Coast (Hawks Nest SLSC). Hawks Nest, northern side of Port Stephens, get there through Karuah (Hawks Nest SLSC).
Hawks Nest is such a beautiful place, quite breathtaking. It's also the start of the North Coast, with aspects over Port Stephens, to the south, and along the beach northwards towards Seal Rocks.
Two choices of swim: along the bay inside Port Stephens, then across the sand dunes (it's not that far, really), and along the ocean beach back to the surf club (That's the main event), or along the beach inside the bay, which is a gentle swim with weed tickling your belly (if you're like us, with a deep keel).
If conditions are difficult, both swims will be run inside the bay, in the shelter of Port Stephens.
Prizes: Open Men/Women $200, Under 18 Men/Women $100.
More info, contact Stephen Howell 0417 664071 or Debbie Booth 02 4997 0647.
Entry fee: $25 for either event (until close of mail and online entries at midnight, Friday, January 9, 2009). $30 after that.
JAN 11, SUN: North Bondi - The Roughwater - Featured Swim
2km, eastern Sydney beach. Website and online entries.
JAN 11, SUN: Avalon Beach Surf Swim - Featured Swim
1.5km, northern Sydney beach, 10.30am - Website and online entries.
JAN 11, SUN: Regatta 2km Challenge - Penrith
2km, 10.30am, Sydney International Regatta Centre (NSW Sport and Recreation with Penrith Swimming Club) - website - email. 2km swim along the length of the Regatta Centre at Penrith Lakes. Min. age 10. $10 for entry by mail or $15 on the day ($20 or $30 for Families). Organisers say: "Good water quality, flat water." This gives you the chance to swim along the course used before Xmas for the Australian Open Water Championships.
JAN 18, SUN: Warriewood-Mona Vale Mighty Marathon - Featured Swim
1.6km, 10am. Registration Warriewood Beach, finish Mona Vale Beach. Website and online entries.
JAN 18, SUN: Wharf 2 Waves - Tathra
1.2km, 600m, far south coast (Tathra SLSC) - website.
JAN 25, SUN: The Big Swim, Palm Beach - Whale Beach - Featured Swim - Race 1 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2.7km, 10am, northern Sydney beach (Whale Beach SLSC) - website
JAN 25, SUN: Point to Point Ocean Swim, Sandon Point, Wollongong
1.2km, 600m, 10am, Waniora Point to Sandon Point SLSC (Sandon Point SLSC) - website - email. First time for this Wollongong swim. Organisers say: "Swim will be across bay which is generally protected from southerly & mild north easterly winds. Cost: $10 - 600m , $20 - 1.2km swim incl t-shirt first 300 entries, postal entries close 18 Jan. Entries on day from 8am cost $5 extra. Rego & meeting point at Sandon Point SLSC. Prizes for age group winners."
JAN 26, MON: Lake Glenbawn - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Lake Glenbawn, Upper Hunter (Scone SC) - website - REPORT
JAN 26, MON: Newcastle Harbour Swim - Featured Swim
1.4km, 700m, entries/registration closes 8:45am (700m - Stockton side), 9:45 for 1.4km (Queens Wharf, Newcastle side) (organised by Stockton SLSC). Website. One crossing of Newcastle Harbour, from Stockton Ferry Wharf to Queens Wharf, or two crossings, Queens Wharf to Queens Wharf via booees arrayed before Stockton wharf.
This is one of oceanswims.com's favourite swims. Why? Because as little tykes, our dream was to be a ferry boy on the Stockton Ferry. We spent our earliest years at Stockton, and you can still see our Nan's pitched roof whilst you're waiting for the ferry on the Newcastle side, although Nan doesn't live there any more. We spent our youths, too, crossing Newcastle Harbour on the Stockton Ferry. Our great grandad, Dadah, was an engineer on the ferry as well as being mayor of Stockton, in the days when places like Stockton had mayors.
Don't be fooled by the smooth-ish waters. There can be a current running through Newcastle Harbour, to be sure. Make sure you sight your target swell, for it will drag you one way or the other if you're not careful. Thus, it is a challenge and a lot of fun.
Make sure, if you're swimming in the 700m swim, that you check in on the Stockton side. You can't enter or register for this swim on the Newcastle side.
Prize money for Open Male, Female & Club Challenge only. 1st Place - $500, 2nd Place $ 300 and 3rd Place $100.
Remember to order your event commemmorative t-shirt when you enter online!
JAN 26, MON: Illawarra Australia Day Aquathon
200m-2km (Jrs), 400m-3km, 800m-7.2km. Belmore Basin, Wollongong Harbour, 80 km south of Sydney. 10th anniversary of this event.
JAN 31, SAT: Across the Lake, Coal Point-Belmont, Lake Macquarie
3.8km, 9.30am, registration and finish at Belmont 16' Sailing Club (Swansea Belmont SLSC) - website - email. Be early: you need to catch the ferry across the lake to the start. Registration closes at 8:30am. This is a very different swim: it's a mind swim -- 3.8km in a straight line. This season is its 48th year, which makes it one of the oldest swims in Stray'a.
JAN 31, SAT: Penrith - Bridge to Bridge and Berry Rickards Swims - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Sydney International Regatta Centre (Penrith SC) - website
FEBRUARY 09
FEB 1, SUN: The Cole Classic@Manly
2km, 1km - website - If you wish to provide Feedback to the Cole Classic organisers, click here
FEB 7, SAT: Canberra - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
2.5km, 5km, 10km, Lake Burley Griffin (Telopea SC) - SC members only - website
FEB 8, SUN: North Bondi Classic - Featured Swim
2km - 10:30am, 1km - 9:15am, North Bondi, Sydney eastern beach (North Bondi SLSC) - Website and online entries.
FEB 8, SUN: Brogo Dam Life Saving Energy Big Swim
7km,
Brogo Dam near Bega, SE NSW. Briefing 0730, start 0830, registration
closes 0730. (Clean Energy For Eternity) - website - email or phone 0428 564 415. Organisers say: "There is no elite category, but all
swimmers must be competent and able to swim the full 7 km. Teams may
swim as a relay, but all team swimmers must travel in a boat alongside
their swimmer ...
20 degree water temp.
"The Dam is well protected
from the wind. The course will be out and back, leaving from the Brogo
Dam boat ramp. All swimmers must be accompanied by a paddler for the 7
km distance.
"The swim will be to raise money for solar panels for the local Anglican Church, and is part of the LifeSaving Energy Big swim series around SE NSW, raising money for renewable energy for community groups."
FEB 15, SUN: Malabar to Little Bay Stockland Challenge - Featured Swim - Race 2 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2.7km, 10am (Rainbow Club). Eastern Sydney beach -
A new destination swim to benefit the special children of Rainbow Club Australia. Starting from the protected waters of Malabar Bay and finishing at picturesque Little Bay. The festivities will include a complimentary BBQ lunch hosted by Stockland. Website and online entries. (NB: Date has been brought forward one week.)
FEB 20, FRI: Holiday Haven Bay Swim Classic, Huskisson, South Coast
1.2km, 5:30pm, Huskisson Beach (Elite Energy) - website - email. First time for this swim. Organisers say: "This event is the opener to the Jervis Bay Triathlon Festival which is now in its 4th year. The premier event of the festival is the Australian and Oceanic Long Course Triathlon Championships which has some of Australia's and the World's top Triathletes in town to compete. There are events over the weekend for the whole family!" - RESULTS
FEB 22, SUN: Canberra - Sri Chinmoy National Capital Swim 5km, 2.5km, 500m - Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra - solo or team relay - website - email
FEB 22, SUN: Jindabyne Lifesaving Energy Big Swim
7km, 1.5km, Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains (Clean Energy For Eternity) - website - email Matthew Nott
FEB 28-MAR 2, SUN-TUE: Penrith - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Sydney International Regatta Centre (Aust Swimming) - website
MARCH 09
MAR 1, SUN: Sydney Harbour Swim Classic - Featured Swim - Race 3 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2km, 1km - registration, start-finish Man o' War Steps, by Sydney Opera House - website and entries online
MAR 1, SUN: Coffs Coast Swims, Coffs Harbour - Featured Swim
2km, 600m, 250m - NSW North Coast - website and entries online.
MAR 1, SUN: Lake Macquarie Crocs Open Water Swim
1.5km, 9am, Speers Point, top end of Lake Macquarie (Lake Macquarie Crocs Masters Swimming Inc) - website - email. Open to ages 20+,
organisers say: "Swim is inshore at northern end of lake, calm flat
water, 22-24 degrees, moderate visibility ... water safety by Coastguard and SES. Event raises
funds for charitable causes".
MAR 8, SUN: Caves Beachside Resort Ocean Swim, Caves Beach- Featured Swim
1.5km, 10am (Caves Beach SLSC), eastern side Lake Macquarie c. 160km north of Sydney - website and online entries.
MAR 8, SUN: Barney Mullins Classic, Freshwater
1.5km, 10am - Freshwater Beach (Freshwater SLSC) - CANCELLED. Organisers have withdrawn this swim as a public swim and will run it as an internal event for Freshwater SLSC. They hope to return it as a public swim in season 2009/10.
MAR 8, SUN: Sir Roden Cutler Splash and Dash Biathlon and Manly Wharf Swim
1km, 2km swims and 1km-3km biathlon, Manly Beach (Manly LSC) - phone 02 9977 2742
MAR 14, SAT: Narrandera - Swimming NSW Marathon Series
Lake Talbot (Narrandera SC) - website
MAR 14, SAT: Wharf to Waves Habour Swim, Newcastle 1.2km, 3pm - Queens Wharf to Horseshoe Beach, Part of Triathlon Festival (HEvents) - Website - email - Organisers say: "Swimming with the tide, but wind could make it
choppy. A small wave on the beach finish is all you can expect ... Run in conjunction with the Sparke Helmore NBN
Triathlon Festival. Check out the sports expo and Junior Triathlon of
Saturday 14 March".
MAR 15, SUN: Club to Club Swim, Forster - Featured Swim - Race 4 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
1km, 3.8km, 10am, main swim One Mile Beach, Cape Hawke, to Forster main beach - Lower North Coast (Forster SLSC + Cape Hawke SLSC) - website and entries online.
MAR 15, SUN: Bridge to Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge - Manly
11km - website - CANCELLED
MAR 15, SUN: Shark Island Swim Classic, Cronulla
2.3km, 1km - Registration, start-finish Cronulla Beach (South Cronulla, Cronulla SLSC) - website
MAR 22, SUN: Stanwell Park Ocean Challenge - Featured Swim - Race 5 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2.3km, Coalcliff - Stanwell Park, Sydney southern beaches (Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC) - website and online entries.
MAR 29, SUN: Gaol Break Swim, South West Rocks - Featured Swim - Race 6 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2.8km, NSW North Coast (South West Rocks SLSC) - Make a weekend of it: South West Rocks is one of the most beautiful locations on the NSW Coast. Surf, swim, dive, cruise, eat, relax, yarn ... We're planning to run again our very popular pre-swim dinner at The Riverside Tavern on the Sat'dy night. It's a better night out than the cinema, and even better -- and this is saying something -- than a night in with The Iron Chef and Rockwiz - website and online entries.
MAR 29, SUN: The Balmoral Swim - Featured Swim
1km, north side Sydney Harbour (Balmoral Beach Club) - website and entries online.
APRIL 09
APR 5, SUN: Tilbury Classic, Culburra
2km, 10am near-South Coast (Nowra Culburra SLSC) - Tilbury Cove - Culburra Beach (Nowra-Culburra SLSC). Min. age 13. Entry $25. Brunch provided to swimmers. More info from Lloyd Smith on 4447 2685 or 0412 970 836. Click here to download entry form for more info.
APR 5, SUN: Bridge to Bar Swim, Narooma
2km (tide assisted), 10am, Wagonga Inlet, Narooma, NSW South Coast (Narooma SLSC) - email. Organissers say: "Tide assisted, cyrstal clear sheltered waters, scenic route -- Great event for anyone, swim, float, paddle, wear a wetsuit, flippers, snorkel - WHATEVER...swim the inlet!"
APR 12, EASTER SUN: Rock to Rock Swim, Pacific Palms - Featured Swim
1.5km, Noon, Elizabeth Beach, Lower North Coast (Pacific Palms SLSC) - website.
This is a lovely swim on one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever visit, one of the famed "North Coast-north-facing-beaches" that we visit each autumn, which means it is sheltered from the vicissitudes of the nasty weather.
Free barbie included in the cost of entry. Late start (12 noon), which means it's easily done as a day trip from Sydney, thus avoiding the perils of Easter traffic. Get there before 11 and avoid the entry price rise (by $10, to $40 for a post-11am entry).
Entries also available at local shops on Easter Saturday. Markets on nearby on Easter Sunday, too. This is a lovely, lovely day out.
Please refer to website (above) for more event info, then follow the links to come back here to enter online.
APR 13, EASTER MON: Tamarama 2 Clovelly Swim - Featured Swim - Race 8 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series 10am (Tamarama SLSC with Clovelly SLSC) - New swim! After last season's disappointment -- heavy seas forcing cancellation of their inaugural swim -- Tamarama SLSC is working with Clovelly SLSC to produce what should be a classic. Details still are being worked out, but organisers say those who entered for the Tama swim last season will get a 50 per cent discount on the $30 entry fee this time around -- Website and entries online.
APR 18, SAT: Shellharbour Ocean Swim - Featured Swim
1.2 km, 11 am - from Boat Harbour at Shellharbour, around the point to the beach. (Shellharbour SLSC) - first leg of the South Coast Ocean Swim Weekend Away - Website and online entries.
APR 19, SUN: Mollymook Ocean Swim - Featured Swim - Race 9 Hahn Super Dry Fine Ocean Swimmers Series
2km, 9.30am - South Coast (Mollymook SLSC) - 2nd leg of the South Coast Ocean Swim Weekend Away - website and online entries
APR 19, SUN: DY2K Ocean Swim and Duathlon, Dee Why - Featured Swim
ocean swim 2km, Duathlon 2km swim + 4.5km run, 800m swim - (Dee Why SLSC) - registration, start-finish at Dee Why beach, duathlon run leg up to Long Reef headland and return. New date for this event: formerly run mid-February. Website.
DY2K organisers will arrange starting waves according to expected swim times. When entering, organisers ask that you nominate a time range in which you expect to complete the 2km swim, either as the stand alone swim or as the first leg of the duathlon, and select the appropriate entry option.
APR 26, SUN: Coogee-Bondi Swim - Featured Swim
5km, 8.30am - Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. Community event organised by Joanna Kyriazakos, Mermaid Swim Academy - email Jo or phone 0437
374 715.
This is one of those epic swims that cries out to be done. First run in 2002, it lasted just two years before falling over due to the myriad agencies and organisations involved in supporting it with water safety. Picked up again by Mermaid Jo last year, it is supported by Randwick and Waverley Councils and their Lifeguard services, inter alia.
That said, all swimmers -- that means, ALL swimmers -- must be accompanied by a paddler. Do you need a paddler? Go to the oceanswims.com blog to leave a message or to find some contacts ... click here
A couple of points from the organisers -- there will be bag transportation from Coogee to Bondi, to take your gear for you from start to finish.
And on escort paddlers, paddlers can use a malibu board or a kayak. The longer the board the better, in fact a board is more practical than a kayak because should the swimmer need assistance the board is way easier to rest on than a kayak.
Do you need a paddler? Or are you a paddler looking for a swimmer to escort? Click here for the oceanswims.com blog, where you can exchange details ...
Please download the entry form (link below) to check complete event information before entering online.
Click here to download entry form (pdf file) for more info ...
APR 26, SUN: South Curl Curl Ocean Swim - Featured Swim
2km, around the point from Curl Curl to Freshwater. What a ripper swim this will be, and at a perfect time of year for it, too.
NB:
Please refer to Website for more complete info. Then use the entry link to come back here to --
APR 26, SUN: Hunters Avoca Beach Ocean Swim - Featured Swim 2.5km, 10am, Registration Avoca Beach SLSC, southern end of Avoca Beach. Central Coast south of Terrigal (Avoca Beach SLSC). Postponed from April 5 -- website
Beautiful beach, epic swim from South Avoca to the north and back.
Be clever and use the runout by the rocks at the start, then avoid it on the way back in to the finish. It can be murder when it's running hard, which is often.
Organisers say: "Minimum age 14 ... Separate women's and men's starts ... Race day rego opens at 8am at Avoca Beach SLSC, at the southern end of Avoca Beach ... Race start is 10am ... Prizes for everyone with lucky entrant prizes, as well".
Three starting waves -- Mens, Ladies, Back of the Pack.
MAY 3, SUN: Byron Bay Winter Whales Ocean Swim Classic - Featured Swim
2.3 km, 800m, Byron Bay, far north coast (Byron Bay Winter Whales Winter Swimming Club + Byron Bay SLSC). Icon event. Not to be missed. Website and entry online.
MAY 3 , SUN: 11th North Steyne Ocean Swim - Featured Swim - postponed from April 5
1km, 2.8km, Northern Sydney Beach (North Steyne SLSC) -- website and entries online.
MAY 17, SUN: South Head Roughwater - Featured Swim
10km, North Bondi - Watsons Bay ...
This is one of the great swims, which could build in time to rival the Rottnest Channel Swim. It's 10km from Bondi to Watsons Bay, almost all of it along shoreline lined by cliffs. It's one of those swims that requires absolute commitment.
JUNE 8, MON: Convent to Main Beach Winter Swim, Yamba - CANCELLED Cancelled due to water pollution due to recent floods.
1km, 10am, $10, juniors $5 (min. age 14) (Yamba SLSC with Clarence River Masters) -- attached to Clarence River Masters Pool carnival at Angourie Rd pool. This swim will go ahead in pretty well any conditions. If sees are too high for Main Beach at Yamba, it will be moved to Whiting Beach nearby. Enter at Yamba SLSC on race day 0830-0930 AEST.
Entry fee includes sausage sizzle after the race.
Special certificates presented to all swimmers.
More info from David Abrahams ph 02 6642 2540 or email (click here).
JUNE 21, SUN: Cold Water Classic, Mona Vale
1.2km, 10am, $25, Mona Vale Beach (Mona Vale SLSC) -- around the rocks to Bongin Bongin Bay.
We're tremendously excited by the Cold Water Classic, although we expect it will prove to be misnamed, for the water in late June may not be as cool as you might expect. Probably still around 20 deg C. What we're excited about is the prospect -- the reality -- of a swim in the cooler months. Sydney is a terrific location for winter swimming, for the water generally doesn't get very cold at all. Indeed, our coldest water in recent years has come in those spasmodic cold spells that have wafted in in high summer. If this one works, then other clubs might take up the idea, and we can swim all year 'round!
Just four divisions in this event: Wetties and Naked (non-wetties), Male and Female. Free parking; Free soup kitchen. Register online or by mail only. There will be no new entries on race day.
Check in on
race day at Mona Vale SLSC from 0830-0945 AEST.
Mona Vale is Glistening Dave's home beach, and he has spent many hours attempting to capcha it pitchorially in all its glory. To help persuade you to do this swim on June 21, he has offered up some of his favourite Mona Vale pics, to give you an idea of how beautiful the place is, how moody, how mysterious, how changeable, how enigmatic, how ... Well, Dave gets carried away sometimes. He is an enormously emotional cove. Oh, that's another one ... how emotional Mona Vale is ...
Above, you can see the course of the Cold Water Classic ... from the high side of the "point" -- really a rock platform with an ocean pool dropped in the middle of it -- and below it, Mona Vale in melancholy mode. Come down on swim day, and we're sure Glistening Dave will give you a personal tour of his Mona Vale.
We urge all ocean swimmers to get down to Mona Vale and support this swim. Full marks to Mona Vale SLSC for bunging it on. We can't wait.
Just four divisions -- Wetsuits (wetties) and Naked (non-wetties, although you might be expected to wear conventional cossies should you wish), Male and Female.
Click here to download entry form (pdf file) for more info ...
One of our favourite ocean swimmers, Cecily Black, and her husband, Chris, have a lovely unit at South West Rocks, on the mid-North Coast of NSW, which they're happy to let for weekends and holidays.
Just a few minutes walk from the beach, and in the heart of one of the most beautiful places on the coast.
Hawks Nest is such a beautiful place, quite breathtaking. It's also the start of the North Coast, with aspects over Port Stephens, to the south, and along the beach northwards towards Seal Rocks.
If conditions are difficult, both swims will be run inside the bay, in the shelter of Port Stephens.
This is one of oceanswims.com's favourite swims. Why? Because as little tykes, our dream was to be a ferry boy on the Stockton Ferry. We spent our earliest years at Stockton, and you can still see our Nan's pitched roof whilst you're waiting for the ferry on the Newcastle side, although Nan doesn't live there any more. We spent our youths, too, crossing Newcastle Harbour on the Stockton Ferry. Our great grandad, Dadah, was an engineer on the ferry as well as being mayor of Stockton, in the days when places like Stockton had mayors. 
2.5km, 10am, Registration Avoca Beach SLSC, southern end of Avoca Beach. Central Coast south of Terrigal (Avoca Beach SLSC)
Sydney is a terrific location for winter swimming, for the water generally doesn't get very cold at all. Indeed, our coldest water in recent years has come in those spasmodic cold spells that have wafted in in high summer. If this one works, then other clubs might take up the idea, and we can swim all year 'round! 
