City Ford Sydney Bondi Blue Water Challenge

Bondi SBLSC

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At a glance

Sun, 3 May 2026

Bondi Beach, Bondi Beach NSW

Ocean Swim

500m, 1km & 2.1km (+ 2km & 4km Beach Runs)

Around The Buoys

Why this event?

Finish summer with a swim at Bondi Beach

What better way to close out summer than with a swim at Sydney’s most iconic beach?

This event captures everything people love about Bondi. With three swim distances on offer, there’s an easy entry point for newcomers in the 500m and 1km, while more experienced ocean swimmers can settle into the steady rhythm of the 2km loop. Prefer your challenge with a little extra burn? The 2km and 4km soft-sand runs serve up laps along Bondi’s famous shoreline, simple, honest, and surprisingly tough in the best possible way.

There’s a relaxed, celebratory energy that comes with this time of year. Autumn light over the bay, salty air, music drifting across the sand, and swimmers of all ages sharing that end-of-season glow. Hosted by Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, it’s a true community day, grounded in surf culture, local pride, and people who know this stretch of coast inside out.

A meaningful day, a classic setting, and a chance to finish the ocean swimming season together, in true Bondi style.

On the day

What's on offer

500m Ocean Swim

9 years

New to ocean swimming? This is your start line. A short loop just 200 metres off the sand, right in front of Bondi Surf Club, close to shore and well supported by water safety. It’s simple, confidence-building, and full of sea spray. The perfect first taste of Bondi.

1km Ocean Swim

10 years

Ready to stretch out a little? This single wineglass-shaped loop takes you across the front of the bay with wide turns, clear sightlines, and Icebergs in view. It’s long enough to find your rhythm, short enough to feel achievable. A classic Bondi lap with a beach run finish under the blue arch.

2km Ocean Swim

13 years

This is the full Bondi experience. A sweeping wineglass course that spans the entire bay, from Icebergs to Ben Buckler and back again. Direction changes, open water, and big coastal views the whole way. It’s strong, satisfying, and the ultimate way to tick off a lap of Bondi before the season closes.

2km & 4km Beach Run

Soft Sand

10 years

Think soft sand is easy? Think again. Starting at the surf club ramp, you’ll head south along the back of the beach in 1km laps. Two laps for 2km. Four laps for 4km. Simple. Honest. Tough in the best way. Finish under the same arch as the swimmers, just with sand in your shoes and that unmistakable Bondi burn in your legs.

Plot your course

*The courses on this map are approximate; the final courses on the day may differ

What’s on when

7:30 am – Registration and check-in opens for all swims and beach runs (surf club)
8:25 am – Race briefing for the 500m swim (at the start line)
8:30 am – 500m swim start
8:40 am – Race briefing for the 2km & 4km run (at the start line)
8:45 am – 2km & 4km beach run start
9:00 am – Awards presentation for the 500m swim (on the beach)
9:10 am – Race briefing for the 1km swim (at the start line)
9:15 am – 1km swim start
9:30 am – Awards presentation for the beach runs (on the beach)
10:25 am – Race briefing for the 2km swim (at the start line)
10:15 am – 2km swim start
11:00 am – Awards presentation for the 1km and 2km swims (surf club)

Prepare for this event

Have A Go: 1km Training Program
Whether you’re coming back after a long break or you’re completely new to swimming, we’ll help you prepare for your 1km swim. Learn more

Up The Ante: 2km Training Program
Step up in distance with this training program designed to build you up & guide you all the way to the finish. Learn more

Learn online with the OceanFit Academy or join a hands-on ocean clinic to improve your surf and open water skills.