Race Day

Event information

Everything you need to know to get to you to the finish line. Remember, ocean swimming is fun, so look out for each other and have a great day.

Event schedule

• 7:15am – Race day registration and check-in open for all events

• 7:55 am – Race briefing for the 2 km and 4 km runs takes place at the start line

• 8:00 am – 2km and 4km beach runs

• 8:30 am – Awards presentation for the 2km and 4km runs on the beach

• 8:55 am – Race briefing for the 500m swim takes place at the start line

• 9:00 am – 500m swim

• 9:25 am – Race briefing for the 1 km swim takes place at the start line

• 9:30 am – 1 km swim starts

• 10:25 am – Race briefing for the 2.1 km swim takes place at the start line

• 10:30 am – 2.1 km swim starts

• 11:30 am – Awards presentation for the 1.5 km and 3 km swims at Bondi Surf Club

Check-in and chip collection

Check-in is at Bondi Surf Club from 7:15am until 15 minutes before the start of each race. Once you arrive, please proceed to the Registration area to collect your timing chip and swim cap. 

Race day entries

You can register on Sunday morning from 7:15am. To sign up, you will need your mobile phone to scan the QR code and complete an online form and payment.

Race starts

We use rolling starts in our 1 km and 2.1 km ocean swims. There will be no waves according to age group. Participants will seed themselves and can swim with friends in any age group. Participants will start three at a time, every 5 seconds.

For those swimmers who like the competition, the 1 km and 2.1 km races will have a preferred wave — a mass start with a gun start.

The 500m, 2 km and 4km soft sand runs will have one start wave each.

Water safety and first aid

The Race Committee takes competitor safely seriously. We will have plenty of Bondi Lifesavers on hand to provide water safety during the swim. Bondi Lifesavers will be at the start and finish lines, as well as on the water on boards and IRBs. We will have 2 Lifeguards on jet skis on the course as well.

If you are having trouble during the swim, raise your hand so the water safety on boards can see you. They will come to your assistance and the IRB will bring you to shore.

A first aid tent with certified first aid personnel will be located at the finish line.

Non-finishers

In the event that you do not finish the race, you must proceed to the finish line and advise the Finish Line Race Officials that you have not finished and hand your timing chip.  It is imperative you do this for safety reasons.

Awards presentation

The awards presentation for the 2 km and 4 km soft sand runs will take place on the beach at approximately 8:30am. The presentation for the 1.5 km and 3 km events will take place at Bondi Surf Club approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the last swim.

Big surf and event cancellation

Weather and surf conditions are part of ocean swimming. We aim to run a safe and enjoyable swim for everyone. The race committee will meet with Waverley Council Lifeguards at 6:00 am to assess the surf conditions.

If the race is cancelled, we will notify Oceanswims.com and post an announcement on our website and Facebook page by 7:00 am. If you have signed up for our newsletter, we will also send out an email.

Parking and transportation

Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's most crowded beaches. Getting to and from Bondi by car in summer is the other Bondi Challenge. Public parking at the beach is limited. There is metered parking in Park Drive and Queen Elizabeth Drive. Competitors are encouraged to carpool or take public transportation.

The closest station to Bondi Beach is Bondi Junction. Sydney Buses operate regular services from Bondi Junction to the beach.

• For the fastest trip to Bondi Beach, catch route 333 at Bondi Junction Interchange stand A3

• Alternatively, route 380 depart from Bondi Junction Interchange stand A1.

For more information or to plan your trip, please visit Transport Sydney Trains.