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The Coogee Island Challenge (autumn edition) is the second ‘cut of the cake’ for swimmers looking to take on this epic island journey swim, with its spring equivalent having been held in December.
This swim is the perfect opportunity to circumnavigate Wedding Cake Island, a little rock reef sitting offshore from Coogee Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, and end the ocean swimming season in style.
The event offers three ocean swim distances, an 800m Junior Dash and a 1km course in the relative safety of the bay, and the 2.4km main event, the later two distances for swimmers aged 13 years and over.
You can also enter as a team of four or more, male or female and in any of the three events on offer – 800m, 1km, and 2.4km, subject to age qualifications for each of those events.
Coogee Bay is well-protected from heavy swells by the headlands to the south and north and by Wedding Cake Island that sits offshore.
The 800m ‘Junior Dash’ follows a circuit course around a set of buoys inside of Coogee Bay to take advantage of the calm conditions.
The 1km ‘Splash and Dash’ is encapsulated within the surf-free waters of Coogee Bay as well, just venturing out a little further than the juniors. This swim is perfect for beginners or those experienced ocean swimmers wanting a warm-up for the Challenge later in the morning.
The 2.4km swim is one lap circumnavigating the famous (in the Eastern Suburbs) Wedding Cake Island. Starting at the north end of the beach, swimmers will head out past the northern headland to swim clockwise around the island. Once around the back, buoys will mark the course straight back to the beach, this time finishing in the middle of the beach to a roaring crowd lined up along the walkway.
When swimming around Wedding Cake Island, you may experience some mild to challenging conditions, including a sweep and wave reflection. But don’t fear, the beautiful underwater views and stunning views of the island make for an exceptional swim.
Once you finish your ocean swim or two, head to the surf club for a drink and to tell stories about your morning adventure!
You can also walk south down the beach to Wylie’s Baths, located behind the surf club. Wylie’s Baths were established in 1907 by Henry Alexander Wylie, a champion long-distance and underwater swimmer.
Here you can relax for the afternoon, take a refreshing swim, lay on a comfortable massage bed and enjoy a relaxing post-swim massage while listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean.
There are plenty of options to eat at Coogee that are just a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach. Barzura restaurant has a great selection of breakfast and lunch options and coffee to compliment it. You can also enjoy a sneaky cocktail after your ocean swim while enjoying the amazing beach views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Coogee Pavilion has something for everyone from pizza, pasta, burgers, Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. Enjoy your meal on the rooftop terrace, and then take the kids to enjoy the games arena.
If you’re planning on driving to the event, make sure you get there early as parking at Coogee can be difficult during summer. There’s an all-day paid beach car park at the north end of the beach and paid street parking everywhere else.
However, public transport to Coogee is excellent via bus services from Circular Quay, Bondi Junction, and Central Station.
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