- Date22 Jan 2023
- Recommended
The Mona Vale ocean swims, proudly sponsored and supported by The Pittwater, is a two-swim event on Sydney's Northern Beaches and one of five events in the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series.
The first of the swims is the 1km Janice Mason Family Fun Swim at Mona Vale, a relaxed and enjoyable swim for the whole family that starts and finishes at Mona Vale Beach.
Following that, the longer of the two swims, the Don Jenkins Memorial Swim, takes swimmers on a 2.26km journey from Warriewood Beach to the Mona Vale Basin.
The Warriewood to Mona Vale swim was first held during the 1977-78 season with 20 swimmers, and it is now named after the founder of the swim, Mona Vale life member Don 'Doc' Jenkins. It is recognised as one of the first organised swims in Australia.
Once you finish your ocean swim head up to the club's members' lounge, the Cook Terrace, for live music and a drink from 11 am, visit the Bright Side Café or The Basin Dining for lunch or spend the day in Mona Vale exploring the area, attractions, and cafes, we have something to suit everyone's taste.
The 1km Janice Mason Family Fun Swim is a great ocean swim for the whole family. This swim starts in front of the clubhouse at Mona Vale Beach and heads east before rounding the rock shelf and into Bongin Bongin Bay (the Basin).
The 2.26km Don Jenkins Memorial Swim starts on Warriewood Beach to the south, and after heading out through the break, it rounds the small headland and follows a course outside the breakers, past the surf club, and into Bongin Bongin Bay.
Once you finish your ocean swim there is plenty to do right under your nose.
First and foremost, everyone is welcome upstairs in the surf club's members' lounge, the Cook Terrace, for live music and a drink from 11 am.
You can also take a walk through the beautiful Mona Vale headland or relax on the beach and take in the spectacular views. Check out the Brightside Cafe or lunch with a view at The Basin Dining, all new establishments in our new Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club.
Further on Darley Street are more cafes to choose from The Armchair and Ruby Lane and in Mona Vale, there are plenty of different cafes, restaurants and shops to explore.
There are a couple of other hidden gems in Mona Vale. If you’re after a refreshing juice or smoothie, the Bare Wholefoods cafe is the place to try.
Much like all the northern beaches, there are beach carparks scattered along the beach and free on-street parking. The locals are beach people, and if you're not there early you'll be turning your swim into a walk swim walk.
For those entered in the Don Jenkins Memorial from Warriewood, you can catch the event bus that will depart from Mona Vale between 8.30-10 am. Please don't wait until the last bus at 10am as capacity is limited due to COVID restrictions.
Gear drop & transport
There will be a bus running between Mona Vale and Warriewood from 8.00 - 9:30 am for swimmers only in the Don Jenkins Memorial Warriewood to Mona Vale swim.
Organisers will transport your gear back to Mona Vale while you're swimming. Secure gear storage is also available at Mona Vale SLSC.
Swim Waves
The organiser of this event, Mona Vale 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 (extremely rare given we have alternative routes using Mona Vale Basin) or Government-mandated health restrictions, the following will apply:
The organiser thanks you for your understanding and support.
WIN! Enter and complete 3 out of 5 swims in the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series and you'll go in the draw to win an OceanFit Swim The Whitsundays swimming holiday valued at $2,295!
There are five swims in the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series that are held across five different parts of Sydney’s Northern Beaches: Newport (8 Jan), Bilgola (15 Jan), Mona Vale (22 Jan), Palm Beach (29 Jan) and Avalon (12 Mar).
Immerse yourself in the exquisite waters of the Whitsunday Islands, cruising from one picturesque island to the next on your live-onboard tall ship, swimming at secluded bays, along white sand beaches and around tropical islands.
Please note: There are no on-the-day entries and online entries close at 3 pm, Saturday, 21 January 2023.
Transfers: You can transfer yourself to a different distance or transfer your entry to another person via your Race Roster dashboard. Fees apply.
Warriewood NSW, Australia
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Rosemary
23 Jan 2022 at 1:39pmTwo challenging swims especially getting past the break – the hardest part.
Distances over the advertised however I know its to give us all the extra buzz from achieving more than we set out to!
Organisation at both beaches and in between exceptional. Audio at Warriewood a bit difficult . to hear.
Missing the fruit and snakes sugar hit at the end.
Well done MV Surf Club helpers, a huge thank you to the water safety who endured the southerly swell and cooler temps. Your assistance out there much appreciated.
Jono M
23 Jan 2022 at 1:43pmA spectacular set of swims at the beautiful Warriewood and Monavale beaches. Rounding the point into the basin is a great feeling. Extremely well organised thanks to everyone involved.
Shilpa
23 Jan 2022 at 4:49pmA wonderfully organised event and water safety crew were amazing! Thank you! I was the last to finish in the 1km event and I had a lovely SLSC lady who accompanied me all the way through the course. Wishing Mona Vale SLSC all the best in completing the club renovations and fit outs, and looking forward to next year’s event
David Tarran
23 Jan 2022 at 7:01pmThis event is always well organised. Thank you to the crew for your great work and assistance.
Trevor Scott
24 Jan 2022 at 7:28amDisappointed that the 70+ Age Group (and I see also the 65-69 Age Group) were dropped from proceedings. I like to see how I’m going against guys my age (like the other ‘Pittwater’ Ocean Swims (and just about every other Ocean Swim). I don’t need a medal or a certificate, just a result.
The race itself though was well run and well managed
Jenna Connellan
24 Jan 2022 at 1:07pmAmazing swim, fantastic staff, really well organised, we started on time, there was so much support in the sea along the route, and a clearly marked route to see, despite the small bout of poor sea conditions! This was my first ocean swim and I can’t wait to do it again! (Hopefully a little more shade next year though… #burnt!)
Geoffrey Newmarch
23 Jan 2023 at 8:09amExcellent organisation and great fun to participate, my first time on the Mona Vale beach and it was beautiful. Thank you for the very smooth administration I thoroughly enjoyed myself
Inge Close
23 Jan 2023 at 2:30pmNice swim, thanks organisers!
It would be nice to have 65+ age groups 70+ age groups like in other swim events.
Good to see only a couple of swimmers wearing wetsuit shorts. I do think swimmers wearing wetsuit shorts should not get a place to be fair on all other other swimmers.
Thanks again to the organisers for a great swim.