- Date11 Mar 2023
- Recommended
The Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim is another chance to get away from the rat race and enjoy a day trip to Lake Macquarie, just south of Newcastle (if you're not a local, that is).
"Commotion in the Ocean", as the event is also referred to, is one for the family as the geography of Caves Beach actually provides spectators with a chance to watch the swimmer complete the course from start to finish; all they have to do is make the short walk up to Spoon Rocks.
The primary swim is a relatively simple 1.5km journey that encompasses some of the most breathtaking scenery the area has to offer, starting at Spoon Rocks and finishing at Caves Beach itself.
There's also a 500m swim for the kids (9-11-years-old) looping around a course set in front of the surf club.
The event started in 2004 and is run by the local Caves Beach SLSC as a major fundraiser for the year.
The Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim is a 1.5km journey swim that takes swimmers from Spoon Rocks to Caves Beach.
Swimmers will assemble at the Caves Beach surf club before moving to the starting point at Spoon Rocks.
The start at Spoon Rocks is a smooth entry into the water, due to protection via the Mawson break wall - fun bit of trivia: the Mawson break wall was built in the 1960s to try and make Caves Beach into a safer harbour for ships carrying coal. Today, it provides a safe, secluded beach for locals.
The swim then follows a reef almost directly north towards Caves Beach and will pass cliff formations, beaches, and caves.
On a clear day and clear conditions, swimmers will be able to see the ocean floor for much of the 1.5km course.
All in all, it's a relatively simple course for most swimmers.
There is also a 500m swim for children aged 9-11-years that will take place in front of the surf club, with swimmers looping around a set of buoys close to shore and surrounded by water safety.
Whilst at Caves Beach, if the tides are right, we encourage visitors to take the opportunity to explore the magnificent ocean caves at the southern end of the beach.
Stay around for the hospitality at the Surf Club Bar, or venture further afield and visit the shops and eateries in Caves Beach and Swansea and explore the beautiful lakefront parks, walkways and beaches.
Public transport is available, with a bus service available to Caves Beach Road.
There is also plenty of street parking around the area and carparking available at the beach via Mawson Close, or above the surf club, off Caves Beach Road.
Swim caps
Event branded swim caps will be provided to all participants this year. These will be available for collection, along with timing devices, at registration.
Shuttle bus
There will be a shuttle bus available to take swimmers to the walkway through to the beach at Spoon Rocks for the 1500m swim. Alternatively, it’s a 15-minute walk, for those that would like to stretch their legs before the event.
Bag drop
There will be a bag drop area available at the Caves Beach Surf Club, where participants can leave their belongings for their swim.
Categories
500m - 3 age categories, based on age on the day of the swim ie 9, 10, 11.
1500m - 8 age categories based on age on the day of the swim, plus overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Age categories: 12-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
Prizes
Sharkskin vouchers will be awarded for overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd places ($200, $100 and $50).
Under 18 swimmers
Parents/guardians of swimmers aged under 18 must complete the online entry form, not the swimmers themselves. They must include their consent to the entry with full name and phone contact, entered into the Emergency contact fields. Just a phone number, a first name, or a number and first name will not do. Entries of U18 swimmers without this complete parental/guardian consent will not be accepted. Entries of U18 swimmers also must use the parent's email address, not that of the U18 swimmer.
Swim race rules and conditions
The organiser of this event, Caves Beach 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.
500m swim
1.5km swim
500m swim
1.5km swim
Transfers: You can transfer yourself to a different distance or transfer your entry to another person via your Race Roster dashboard. Fees apply.
Caves Beach NSW, Australia
oceanswims.com is the guardian of ocean swimming
Passionately supporting more than 60,000 ocean and open water swimmers.
Max Hoste
24 Apr 2022 at 4:04pmGood ocean swim, good swell throughout swim with waves to be negotiated at the end of the swim. Water clarity was as good as could be expected with conditions leading up to swim. Challenging but not onerous.
Alicia Drain
25 Apr 2022 at 4:26amExcellent swim very well ran
Murray
26 Apr 2022 at 11:40amGreat swim,
Safe, well run, ontime, Excellent course for swell and great scenery.
John Bamberry
26 Apr 2022 at 2:16pmAlways enjoy the Caves Beach Swim. Hidden gem of a beach and always well run. Conditions enjoyable; water quality still affected by recent rain events but better than the March conditions, when the event was orginally scheduled. Good job CBSLSC.
Max Hoste
11 Mar 2023 at 2:20pmAnother great swim. Good weather coupled with swell and chop so you knew you were in an ocean swim. Nice little wave at the end to allow you to regain your balance before the run up to the finish. Great facilities if you wanted to stop for a drink or something to eat.
Neal McCarry
11 Mar 2023 at 2:34pmThankyou to all the organisers and volunteers. Nice swim with some cool structure to swim over along the journey. Great friendly vibe – be back next year.
Ronald White
11 Mar 2023 at 5:51pmWhat a great Ocean Swim well run thanks for all the Lifeguards for-looking after us and thanks for the prize for oldest swimmer I Be back next year Cheers 👍🥂
Bevan McGregor
12 Mar 2023 at 5:27pmRecommend this nice community event run by the Surf Club. Very enjoyable swim. Maybe could have had 2 waves of starters as by 10am the wind chop was quite rough & the first buoy congested. Previous years it has been calmer so luck of the draw this time. Great idea letting the juniors write numbers on arms, enjoyed some banter with them. Rethink the caps so those who have a suitably bright coloured cap can use their own (I realise there is a safety aspect to this). Well done to the Caves Beach Surf Club
Sal
12 Mar 2023 at 8:47pmLovely location, friendly, and great well run swim.