Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim

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

• 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 and 12 years for the 1500m 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 at the registration point prior to their swim.
• All swimmers must return their timing device immediately upon their swim completion. There will be a collection point near the finish line.
• All swimmers must wear a swim cap, race number and timing device.
• All swimmers must cross the official finish line to register the completion of their swim, or notify officials on the day if unable to do so.
• 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.
• 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 Caves Beach Ocean Swim 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 and provided assistance to shore.
• There will be a number of safety craft patrolling the course. Please signal them if you need any assistance. Your safety is our priority.
• All decisions of the race committee will be considered absolute and final.

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:

• 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.