This year’s Sunshine Coast Solstice Swim will be doing its bit to support Ukrainians displaced by the war, with the event raising funds to deliver Shelterboxes to those in need.

“This year we’ve added an international touch because of the Ukraine War,” said Alexandra Headland Rotary Club secretary, Mr Mallory. 

“We are delivering ‘Shelterboxes’ to the displaced Ukrainian community for those folks that have nothing.

“It is essentially their life support in a box as it will provide shelter and necessities for refugees around the world.

“We will be putting up a display of what’s in a ‘Shelterbox’ at the swim in the warm-up area so swimmers can see what goes into one.”

Held every year to raise funds for the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club and celebrate the shortest day of the year, the swim offers one-kilometre, two-kilometre or five-kilometre ocean swims in the beautiful Alexandra Headland Bay. 

“The swim started as a vision from the Alexandra Headland Rotary Club to emulate the Byron Bay swim on the Sunshine Coast,” said Malloy. 

“We eventually wanted to attract people to the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the winter solstice and give back to the community.

“We ended up creating an event that was fun, healthy and could benefit local charities and everyone could enjoy and take part in it while celebrating the shortest day of the year.

The swim is perfect for swimmers of all abilities and Mr Malloy likes to stress it’s not a race but rather an enjoyable swim.

“We’ve had English Channel swimmers, Olympians, international sportsmen and women, disabled ocean swimmers and just your regular swimmer participate in the swim in previous years,” said Mr Malloy.

“It’s healthy, fun and a great ‘vibe’ on the day with a warm-up hosted by local gym instructors, stalls of local swim beneficiaries and the atmosphere of everyone getting excited about the swim.

“Surprisingly enough the one kilometre is not the most popular swim but rather the three-kilometre and then it is great to watch the true athletes test themselves in the five-kilometre.

“Overall, it’s a great event to celebrate the shortest day of the year while shaking those winter cobwebs off.”