- Date2 Apr 2023
- Recommended
The Bluescope WIN Community Partners Shellharbour Ocean Swim has perhaps the nicest and most picturesque set of ocean swims in NSW.
The two main point-to-point swims start at the Shellharbour Boat Harbour and take swimmers out into the ocean and north towards the stunning Shellharbour main beach. There's also a junior swim that takes place at main beach so the whole family can get involved.
Fine and mild autumn conditions prevail at this time of the year, water temperatures are still favourable for swimmers and wetsuits are not generally required.
Shellharbour is a beautiful area and is famous for its beaches. Explore Killalea State Park and go surfing at a national surfing reserve.
Swimmers can choose either a 1.2km or 2km swim (not both as they start at the same time) that leave the sandy foreshore of Shellharbour Boat Harbour and head through the boat harbour entrance. They then swim out and north around Cowries headland and follow the foreshore to Cunji Rock Platform and onto the main patrolled beach at North Shellharbour.
The 1.2km course turns in to finish in front of the Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club, whilst the 2km course includes an additional loop heading north from the surf club before turning back and heading back south and to the finish line in front of the surf club.
The 400m Junior swim for 8-12-year-olds is an out and back loop around the buoys – a perfect first-time event/challenge for the young ones.
With so many different activities and beautiful sites to see, you could spend a couple of days exploring Shellharbour.
Drop into Addison Street and enjoy one of the many cafes and restaurants after your swim or visit the newly opened Shell Cove Marina for a lovely walk around the perimeter followed by an ice cream or stop at one of the restaurants, cafes or the new Waterfront Tavern overlooking the Marina.
Make a weekend of it and go snorkelling at Bushrangers Bay, Bass Point or surfing a Killalea – colloquially known as “The Farm” – a National Surfing Reserve
Shellharbour is only 90 minutes from the centre of Sydney and there's ample parking available at the Surf Club (your final destination).
Competitors and supporters walk over the hill to the Harbour to begin their swim. Supporters can follow the swim by walking back across the rock platform with a view of the event
Anything Goes
Back of the pack division for swimmers who wish to wear wetties or use some other aid, such as fins, pull buoys, fancy dress, or anything else (provided it's legal, organisers say).
Prizes
1.2km - Age category prizes for Male & Female (1st, 2nd & 3rd): U18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 70+, Anything Goes (Wetsuits, Fins etc).
2km - Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Open Male and Female winners only ($250, $150, $75).
Junior swim - Male & Female – 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
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. Just a phone number, a first name, or a number and first name will not do. Entries of U18 swimmers are not complete without this complete parental/guardian consent. Entries of U18 swimmers must use the parent's email address, not that of the U18 entrant.
Presentation
Winners will be announced and prizes presented immediately following the completion of swims on the surf club lawn.
Surf Club Surfcam
To view the current conditions at Shellharbour, visit the Shellharbour website and watch the SurfCam.
The organiser of this event, Shellharbour SLSC, is a registered charity. This event is a major fundraiser for the club 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:
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.
Notes:
No on-the-day entries, online entries only.
*You can only enter either the 1.2km or the 2km, not both (as they start at the same time)
Registration (timing tag and cap pick up) @ Shellharbour SLSC
Swimmers must allow time to check-in/register, then to walk to the swim start at Boat Harbour (15min walk)
Swim starts
Presentation
Winners will be announced and prizes presented immediately following the event on the surf club lawn.
Note: No on-the-day entries, online entries only.
Transfers: You can transfer yourself to a different distance or transfer your entry to another person via your Race Roster dashboard. Fees apply.
Shellharbour NSW, Australia
oceanswims.com is the guardian of ocean swimming
Passionately supporting more than 60,000 ocean and open water swimmers.
Kirsten
3 Apr 2023 at 10:38amWe had a fantastic swim – the event is extremely well organised and it is highly recommended for new contenders and those already in the ocean swim mix.
George
3 Apr 2023 at 4:32pmGreat organisation of this event, very well supported with water safety over the whole course. Such a beautiful swim 🤩