The South Head Roughwater from Bondi to Watson's Bay is an epic 10km swim and is not for the faint-hearted.
Also known as the "Bondi to Watsons Bay ocean swim" - obviously because of the course the swim follows - the Roughwater provides the ultimate challenge for advanced ocean swimmers looking to take on the elements and themselves just as winter starts to set in.
If you've been training all summer, taking in many of the ocean swims on offer throughout the country, then this swim can be the icing on the cake.
If taking on the Roughwater is a step too far this year, why don't you get a team together and enjoy this magnificent swim with your friends.
You can put together teams of up to six swimmers.
More to it than your average swim
As you can imagine, this swim brings with it a lot more challenges than your average off the beach, around the buoys swim.
There are compulsory briefings, each swimmer/team must have a boat accompany them and a number of other responsibilities you will need to research before you register.
For this swim, we recommend you take the time to learn about what's involved, give yourself plenty of time to organise a boat (mandatory) and lead paddler (optional), and ensure you're completed the necessary training to ensure you're in the best shape come event day.
You can read about the Process For Entering on the 'Event Details' tab.
This is an epic swim - no two ways about it.
You start on the beach at North Bondi, stare out to the end of Ben Buckler, and then take off and round the headland before swimming north along the cliffs to the entrance of Sydney Harbour. Entering the harbour, you pass Camp Cove and hook a left until you weave your way into Watsons Bay, finishing in front of the Watsons Bay Hotel.
There's only one thing left to do after this epic journey, and that is to celebrate with your support crew and team at the Watsons Bay Hotel. Crack a bottle of champagne and it's 'cheers' to everyone - enjoy the spoils!
This is a complex event and you'll need to manage your own parking at both ends and that of your support staff.
PROCESS FOR ENTERING
The process for entering this event is more comprehensive than standard ocean swim events. Please ensure you complete all the steps below in order to be officially entered.
Step 1: Pre-reading
Read the Event Information Booklet to educate yourself on everything involved in participating in the event, including the requirement for a boat and spotter (paddler optional).
Step 2: Provisional Entry
Step 3: Complete the forms below
We suggest viewing the forms to see what information is required, then collecting all the information and completing the forms.
When your Provisional Entry and all the forms are completed, you are officially entered.
Entries close at 5pm on Thursday, 12 May 2022
Step 4: Attend the compulsory briefing
Friday, 13 May 2022 @ 7 pm at the Watsons Bay Hotel
Event cancellation
Participant cancellation
$130 per swimmer:
Compulsory briefing
On the day
Bondi Beach NSW, Australia
2022 results (PDF) - Note, that the results are in bib order, not in finishing order.
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Nathan
18 May 2022 at 4:53pmEpic
George Morrison
18 May 2022 at 6:25pmGenerously organised and expertly managed, it was a perfect day out along a beautiful stretch of water – can’t wait for next year!