18/03/2026 - Warriewood SLSC has made the call not to run the 2026 event. With participation down and a late-season swim just not stacking up this year, the committee has opted to hit pause. All entrants will be fully refunded. A tough call for a much-loved swim, but one made with 2027 firmly in mind. We’ll see you back at Warriewood next year.
A true coastal journey linking two of the Northern Beaches’ wildest stretches of sand.
Previously known as the Chieftain’s Challenge, the Warriewood Ocean Swim is a point-to-point adventure that captures the raw, open feel of Sydney’s northern coastline. Starting at Turimetta and finishing at Warriewood, it’s a swim that feels less like laps in a bay and more like a genuine coastal passage.
Set between dramatic headlands and backed by bushland rather than high-rise, this event has a distinctly untamed character. The water is often clear, the scenery expansive, and the sense of movement along the shoreline gives it an exploratory edge. It’s the kind of swim where you settle into your rhythm, breathe in the salt air, and let the coastline roll by.
Open to swimmers aged 15 and over, the ~1.5km distance strikes a sweet spot, long enough to feel like a challenge, achievable enough to be within reach for confident ocean swimmers.
With a welcoming local surf club atmosphere at the finish and the satisfaction of covering real coastline under your own steam, the Warriewood Ocean Swim is less about tight turns and more about the simple joy of travelling through open water.
May on the Northern Beaches can be a sweet spot. The ocean often holds onto its summer warmth, typically sitting around 20–22°C, and when the air temperature dips, the water can genuinely feel like a bath once you’re in. That first immersion is refreshing, then quickly comfortable as you settle into your stroke.
You’re swimming on open coastline, so expect natural ocean texture rather than pool-like flatness. There may be a gentle rolling swell under you or light surface movement depending on the morning. Autumn often delivers calm, glassy conditions and excellent water clarity, making for an enjoyable coastal swim.
Comprehensive water safety is in place along the course, including experienced surf lifesavers, jet ski support, and UAV drone surveillance providing an added layer of oversight from above. Swimmers should still be confident in open water and comfortable beyond the break, but you can take comfort in a well-supported environment designed to keep everyone safe while they enjoy the journey.
Registration
All swimmers must register at Warriewood SLSC before making their way to Turimetta Beach.
Getting to the start
From registration, it’s a short ~10-minute walk around to Turimetta Beach for the start. Simply follow the path and be guided by volunteer marshals. Ask at registration if you require further directions. Google Map Directions
Bag drop & gear transport
Bag drop will be available at Warriewood SLSC, or at Turimetta Beach, with gear transported back to Warriewood and ready for collection when you finish.
Start format
This is a single, mass start event, with all swimmers beginning at the same time, no staggered waves.
Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, as well as to winners in each age group category.
7:30 – Registration opens at Warriewood SLSC
Swimmers to walk to Turimetta Beach
9:50 – Race briefing
10:00 – Swim start
Have A Go: 1km Training Program
Whether you’re coming back after a long break or you’re completely new to swimming, we’ll help you prepare for your 1km swim. Learn more
Learn online with the OceanFit Academy or join a hands-on ocean clinic to improve your surf and open water skills.
Parking is available at the Warriewood Beach car park, though spaces can fill quickly on event morning, so arriving early is recommended. There is also limited street parking in the surrounding area, please check signage carefully and respect local restrictions.
Public transport is a convenient option. Regular bus services run along Pittwater Road, linking Mona Vale with Sydney’s northern suburbs, the CBD, and neighbouring beaches. Routes from Wynyard, Dee Why, and Manly make the trip straightforward. The B-Line and 199 services offer the most direct access.
Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club facilities include changerooms, showers, and toilets, so you can freshen up and relax before or after your swim. Whether you drive or catch the bus, access is simple and the beach is easy to navigate on arrival.
Make a morning of it at Warriewood. Refuel with brekky and coffee just steps from the sand at Sunrise Café, grab a quality post-swim brew from Vespresso, or settle in at See Sea Café for a relaxed bite with ocean air still in your hair.
With the headland, rock platforms, and long stretch of beach right there, it’s the kind of spot that invites you to linger a little longer.
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