- Date12 Mar 2023
- Recommended
The Avalon Beach Surf Swims event hosts two previously separate swims in one awesome day of ocean swimming on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
There's a 1.2km 'family' swim around the buoys off Avalon Beach and the pinnacle event, the 'Around The Bends' Newport to Avalon Beach 2.5km point-to-point journey swim.
For the real keeners, there is a rare opportunity to swim both events for the same price! Organisers have scheduled it so that any parent in the 'Around The Bends' swim can be finished and ready to join their kids in the shorter swim - making it a family affair.
While you're in the area, check out the cafe scene.
There are two events as part of the Avalon Beach Surf Swim event; a 1.2km swim and the 2.5km 'Around The Bends' swim from Newport to Avalon Beach.
The timing of the two main swims means that swimmers can challenge themselves by doing both swims, and parents can join the 1.2km swim with their children.
Designed for the whole family, the 1.2km swim starts at the northern end of Avalon Beach, heading out through the 'Avalon Express' rip, before making a turn towards the southern headland, and then back north towards the surf lifesaving clubhouse on the beach.
The shore dump on the way out and back in can be a bit tricky at times, but once you're out past the break, Avalon offers one of the most scenic swims between the two headlands.
The 2.5km 'Around The Bends' journey swim starts at Newport Beach (which also hosts its own ocean swim), and after turning left around the first turning buoy, it heads north to pass the first of two headlands.
On the other side of the first headland you'll spot Bilgola Beach (there's an ocean swim here too), but don't start to head in toward the beach just yet as you'll need to head slightly east to get around the next headland.
Next is perhaps where the 'Around the Bends' name comes from because rounding Bilgola Head will seem endless because the sand of Avalon Beach doesn't start until 500 odd metres from the tip of the headland.
Follow the buoys north-west towards Avalon, ensuring you breathe to your left to take in the scenic cliffs the northern beaches are renown for.
If you're a foodie, and love the sounds of good coffee and an organic, delicious breakfast, the cafe Nourished Cafe and Lounge is a must-see spot.
It's located just a stone's throw from Avalon Beach, and is the brainchild of one of Australia's leading authorities on healthy cooking, Teresa Cutter. Cutter isn't involved in the venture any longer, but it still serves fantastic Campos coffee and an all-organic seasonal menu.
There is parking available on the grass courts opposite the primary school on Old Barrenjoey Rd.
There is also parking on Newport Beach carpark and a small carpark behind the surf club and one south of the club on Surfside Ave. Try the northern carpark on the corner of Marine Parade and Tasman Road, the streets behind the beach, or head north up Marine Parade.
Bus 199 runs regularly from Manly to Palm Beach for swimmers along the route or coming over from the city on the ferry.
Back of the Pack
A Back of the Pack division is available for those who’d like a more relaxed swim. Swim with your friends, wear a wetsuit or flippers. Your time will be recorded but you won't be eligible for prizes. You can tick the checkbox for 'Back of the Pack' when you enter online.
Registration (on the day)
Shuttle transport (Avalon > Newport)
There will be a free shuttle bus running between Avalon and Newport beaches between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. This means you can park at Newport, swim the Around the Bends to Avalon (your gear will be transported between the beaches for you) then get the shuttle back to Newport after the race. The pick-up point is at Avalon on Barrenjoey Rd in front of the surf club (Map) and the drop-off is at Newport on Barrenjoey Rd at the northern end of the beach car park (Map). Departure times are on the half-hour from 10 am through to 1 pm. Normal parking restrictions apply.
Bag drop
Avalon SLSC will transport your gear from the start at Newport back to Avalon SLSC, where you can pick it up after your swim. You can also store your gear free of charge at the clubhouse at Avalon Beach.
The organiser of this event, Avalon SLSC, is a registered charity. This event is a major fundraiser for the club, and all proceeds go towards providing its volunteer lifesaving services to the community.
Cancelling your entry
Should you wish to cancel your entry, for any reason, at any time, the following applies:
Event cancellation
Should the event be cancelled due to poor and/or dangerous ocean conditions, or Government-mandated health restrictions, the following will apply:
The organiser thanks you for your understanding and support.
WIN! Enter and complete 3 out of 5 swims in the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series and you'll go in the draw to win an OceanFit Swim The Whitsundays swimming holiday valued at $2,295!
There are five swims in the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series that are held across five different parts of Sydney’s Northern Beaches: Newport (8 Jan), Bilgola (15 Jan), Mona Vale (22 Jan), Palm Beach (29 Jan) and Avalon (12 Mar).
Immerse yourself in the exquisite waters of the Whitsunday Islands, cruising from one picturesque island to the next on your live-onboard tall ship, swimming at secluded bays, along white sand beaches and around tropical islands.
*You still need to enter both events online
Please note: Entries on the day are online only, no cash will be accepted. A $10 late fee applies.
Please see the 'Other Information' section for more details on the shuttle.
Transfers: You can transfer yourself to a different distance or transfer your entry to another person via your Race Roster dashboard, up until midnight the day before the event. Fees apply.
Avalon Beach NSW, Australia
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Trudy Chaffer
12 Mar 2023 at 11:45amExcellent swim, stunning views and felt so safe with lots of support in the water.
Kevin Cassidy
12 Mar 2023 at 11:59amVisiting from Melbourne for the weekend and managed to find this event on the Swim calendar.
Great way to spend the morning at an excellent swim.
Now enjoying drinks at the surf club.
Victoria
12 Mar 2023 at 2:10pmAwesome swim round not one but two headlands, and felt super safe surrounded by a fab water safety crew 🙂
Chris
12 Mar 2023 at 2:37pmWell done organisers and water safety crew for putting on a great event today. Bacon and egg rolls were tops as well. Back next year !
Sacha
12 Mar 2023 at 5:32pmA challenging swim which would have been great if it weren’t for the jelly fish- way too many to be called an enjoyable swim and no warning at the race briefing either.
Peter John Robinson
13 Mar 2023 at 6:39amGreat swim, well organised, visible bouys well positioned, excellent explanation at start.
Gavin Batcheler
13 Mar 2023 at 8:34amLovely swim and interesting event as I came Ip from Bondi.
Trevor James MCMAHON
13 Mar 2023 at 9:30amNice swim but needed more Officials on boards or rubber duckies directing swimmers when approaching Avalon. The course was confusing with lots of buoys for the 1.2 km race and the 2.5 km race. Everyone I spoke to had problems with navigation.
Lucas Woodford
13 Mar 2023 at 6:21pmGreat swim, hard to navigate in the bumpy conditions.
Usually use the support staff as boundary markers, but they seemed to be all over the place which made it hard.
Mike Bosch
14 Mar 2023 at 9:23amThis is one of the finest races on the Sydney coast: a scenic swim, well organized, friendly SLSC staff, easy parking…..A warning about the proliferation of jellyfish would have been nice as we could have donned our Rash shirts….There were hundreds of a seemingly non stinging kind but also some that did sting. That’s just part of the sport….
Roger Stephens
15 Mar 2023 at 11:30amGreat swim and thank you to all the club members for their time to ensure this swim runs smoothly and safely. Well done.