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AdvertisementThe Bondi Blue Water Challenge harbours one of the suburb's best-kept secrets, but one that ocean swimmers have been privy to for years: the best time to swim is towards the end of summer.
The water is warm, the crowds have gone back to work, and preparations for the Bondi Blue Water Challenge are well underway.
It is a unique event in that it not only offers three swims (500m, 1km and 2.1km) but also a 4km soft sand run - that's four laps of the famous Bondi beach.
The Bondi Blue Water Challenge falls on the last weekend of summer (officially), so after your swim, pick one of the many cafes and bars that line the streets of Bondi and relax with a drink and something to eat while indulging in a bit of people-watching... the perfect way to end the day, and the summer.
Swim Courses
The Blue Water Challenge is a unique event that caters to ocean swimmers and runners. It has three swim distances: 500m, 1km and 2.1km.
The 500m swim distance is perfect for nippers or novice ocean swimmers looking for their first challenge. The 1km and 2.1 km races draw top talent from the next generation of open water swimming superstars.
Those that prefer to stay on land can challenge themselves in the 4km soft sand run on the iconic Bondi Beach. Open to all ages 10-years plus.
500m swim
The 500m course is around two marker buoys set approximately 100 metres from the shoreline in front of the Bondi SBSLSC.
1km swim
The 1km course is a wineglass shaped course. Participants leave the beach and pass the gate buoy on their right. Heading towards Icebergs, turn left around the marker buoy in the middle of the bay and swim north across the bay and turn left around the outermost buoy. They then swim back towards shore and pass through the final gate buoy on the right and after a short run, finish under the blue arch.
2.1km swim
The 2.1 km course is a wineglass shaped course that covers the distance of the whole bay. Participants leave the beach and pass the gate buoy on their right. Heading towards Icebergs, pass the next buoy on their left and turn left around the marker buoy at MacKenzies Point. They then swim north across the bay and turn left around the marker buoy at Ben Buckler. Heading back towards shore, they swim past the marker buoy in the middle bay (on the left), passing through the final gate buoy on the right and after a short run, finish under the blue arch.
Please note that the swim courses may be altered on the day depending on surf conditions.
4km Beach Run
The 4km beach run course will be run on the soft sand along the promenade, starting just north of Bondi Surf Club. There will be 4 laps of the beach, going from the south to north and then looping back. The run will finish in front of Bondi Surf Club through the blue arch.
While You're There
After all that talk of wine glasses, it'd be rude not to have one to celebrate after your swim.
You're spoilt for choice within striking distance of the beach. Venture north to the North Bondi RSL, or behind the beach to Ravesis (across the street on the corner of Hall & Campbell) or south to the Icebergs club.
All these places also serve coffee and food, so either way, you'll be covered.
After brunch, explore the inner streets of Bondi off Hall street for fantastic shopping, hang out and people watch at the Icebergs pool, or for the very energetic, take a walk along the coastal walk towards Bronte.
Travel & Parking
Hopefully, by this time in the season, the parking will be better... but just the thought of a sunny day will fill up every last spot before sunrise.
There is beach parking along Elizabeth Drive and behind the Pavillon, 2-hours parking within a couple of blocks of the beach, and free parking lightyears from the beach (but the walk to the beach will be a good warm-up). Try Military Road up past the golf course in North Bondi.
Swimmers are encouraged to carpool or take public transportation.
The buses to Bondi are 380, 381, 333. The 389 also comes to Bondi, but you'll need to get off on Hall Street or at the North Bondi terminal and walk.
If the weather is looking great, get there early as it'll be heaving.
Gallery
ONSHORE Podcast Episode
Entry Price Range
From $20-65
Results
2022 results | 2021 | 2020 results | 2019 | 2018 results | 2017 results | 2016 results
Event Type
Swim Distances
500m, 1km & 2.1km
Course Type
Swim Start Times
- 7:30am – Registration and check-in open for all swims and beach run
- 7:55am – Race briefing for the 4km run takes place at the start line
- 8:00am – 4km beach run
- 8:40am – Race briefing for the 500m swim takes place at the start line
- 8:45am – 500m swim
- 9:10am – Race briefing for the 1km swim takes place at the start line
- 9:15am – 1km swim starts
- 9:30am – Awards presentation for the 4km run and 500m swim on the beach
- 10:25am – Race briefing for the 2.1 km swim takes place at the start line
- 10:30am – 2.1km swim starts
- 12:00pm – Awards presentation for the 1km ad 2.1km swims at Bondi Surf Club
Swim Pricing
Adult = 17-years-old and over
Child = 9-16-years-old
Online entries
Single entry
- 500m swim - $20 (All ages)
- 1km swim - Adult $40, Child $25
- 2.1km swim - Adult $40, Child $25
- 4km Beach Run - Adult $40, Child $25
Entry combos
- 1km + 2.1km Swims - Adult $65, Child $40
- 4km Beach Run + 1km Swim - Adult $65, Child $40
- 4km Beach Run + 2.1km Swim - Adult $65, Child $40
On-the-day entries
Single entry
- 500m swim - $20 (All ages)
- 1km swim - Adult $50, Child $35
- 2.1km swim - Adult $50, Child $35
- 4km Beach Run - Adult $50, Child $35
Entry combos
1km + 2.1km Swims - Adult $85, Child $60
4km Beach Run + 1km Swim - Adult $85, Child $60
4km Beach Run + 2.1km Swim - Adult $85, Child $60
Minimum Age
Swims: 500m - 9-years-old, 1km - 10-years-old, 2.1km - 12-years-old. Beach run: 4km - 10-years-old.
Map
Bondi Beach NSW, Australia
Other Event Info
Prize categories
- 4km beach run - The age breakdown is as follows: Under 20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60 and over
- 1km and 2.1 km swims - The age breakdown is as follows: Under 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over
- There are prizes for the top three place getters for each gender in each age category in each race
- The 500m swim will award prizes for the top three male and female winners overall
Presentations
- The presentation for the 4km run and 500m swim will be held on the beach at the conclusion of the 500m swim
- The presentation for the 1km and 2.1km swims will be held in Bondi Surf Club at the conclusion of the 2.1km swim
Wetsuits, flippers, and snorkels
The Bondi Blue Water Challenge is a fun community event aimed at all swimming abilities. Competitors may use extraneous aids such as flippers, snorkels, floatation clothing or devices in any of the swims, but will not be eligible for any prize or qualify as an official place getter.
Swimmers with disabilities
We encourage all swimmers to participate. If you require assistance during the swim, please contact us. We will make every effort to make it a safe and enjoyable swim.
Swim race rules and conditions
- Swimmers physical condition will be their own responsibility and all participants are encouraged to train in preparation for this event.
- The minimum entry age is 9 years for the 500m swim, 10 years for the 1km swim and 12 years for the 2.1km swim. All competitors under the age of 18 will need parental consent to participate.
- All swimmers must swim the prescribed course and ensure that their name is marked off the official entrants register at the conclusion of the Bondi Blue Water Challenge even if they do not complete the course.
- Swimmers must swim in the age category for which they are eligible.
- All swimmers must wear their prescribed cap, race number and timing device.
- A swimmer may use extraneous aids such as flippers, snorkels, floatation clothing or devices but will not be eligible for any prize or qualify as an official place getter.
- All swimmers must behave in a fair and sportsmanlike manner without interference or aggression towards other competitors and any breach of this rule may result in disqualification from the Bondi Blue Water Challenge.
- If in the opinion of an event medical officer or a water safety official a competitor is physically or otherwise incapable of starting or completing the Bondi Blue Water Challenge or has been in the water for an inordinate time such competitor may be disqualified from starting or be removed from the water at any time.
- There will be safety craft patrolling the course. Signal them if you need any assistance. Your safety is our priority.
- All decisions of the race committee will be considered absolute and final.
Beach run race rules
- The minimum entry age is 10 years. All competitors under the age of 18 will need parental consent to participate.
All runners must run the prescribed course and ensure that their name is marked off the official entrants register at the conclusion of the Bondi Blue Water Challenge even if they do not complete the course. - All runners must behave in a fair and sportsmanlike manner without interference or aggression towards other competitors and any breach of this rule may result in disqualification from the Bondi Blue Water Challenge.
- All decisions of the race committee will be considered absolute and final.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
The organiser of this event, Bondi SBSLSC, is a registered charity. This event is a major fundraiser for the club and other local community charities, and all proceeds go towards providing volunteer services to the community.
Cancelling your entry
Should you wish to cancel your entry, for any reason, at any time, the following applies:
- Refunds are not available, your entry fee will be donated to the club
Event cancellation
Should the event be cancelled due to poor and/or dangerous ocean conditions, or Government-mandated health restrictions, the following will apply:
- Entries will not be refunded
- The organiser may, at their discretion, choose another date for the event in the same season and rollover entries to the new date
- Should another date not be found within the same season, the event will be deemed to be cancelled, and there will be no refunds.
The organiser thanks you for your understanding and support.
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Simon Cobden
27 Feb 2022 at 2:27pmWell run. Had bananas at the finish 👍!
Simon Glastonbury
27 Feb 2022 at 6:41pmThat was a lot of fun! Thoroughly enjoyed that. And will do it again. Very well organised and run event.
If I could whinge about one thing, it would be nice if we could start on time. Parking at Bondi is expensive!
Simon Cobden
27 Feb 2022 at 6:42pmWell run. Liked the free bananas at the finish 👍!
Patrick Thompson
28 Feb 2022 at 12:11pmWell run and good to keep it on notwithstanding heavy rains.
yuki
28 Feb 2022 at 12:35pmIt was a fun race!! The waves were bit hard but I really enjoyed it.
Staffs were really fantastic (о´∀`о)
Super friendly and the ceremony after race was amazing!! Everyone enjoyed and celebrate the swimmer’s prizes. 80’s finished their swimming and gave us our happy future or our goal. I want to join the competition again!!!
Ronald White
1 Mar 2022 at 12:25pmWhat a great day Thanks again for all the Bondi Surf Club Members for looking after us Swimmers Norm & I will be back next year 👍🥳🍻
Mark Lewis
3 Mar 2022 at 12:27pmA well organised and well-run event. I particularly wanted to give a huge shout out not only to the Bondi Surf Club as an organisation but also the volunteers (particularly those on the course) that not only made sure that we were safe but also made sure that we didn’t get lost during the swim. I look forward to having the opportunity to participate in this event next year.