Each year, a passionate group of swimmers from Wagga Wagga, known as the Wagga Wagga Lappers, make the five-hour journey to Sydney to take part in the iconic Bondi to Bronte ocean swim.
Chris Egan, a long-time team member, spoke to Suzie Ryan about his journey with the Lappers and the camaraderie that fuels their annual trip to the beach.
The Wagga Wagga Lappers began as a social group of swimmers who connected over lunchtime laps in the local pool and their love of the water, but they turned into a tight-knit group of friends with an annual tradition trip.
“I just started doing some laps each week at the local pool in Wagga Wagga and met other swimmers doing the same,” said Mr Egan.
“Most of us also play water polo, and the whole team is into underwater rugby, so we are all water lovers.
“We then morphed into this great group of swimming buddies, and the Wagga Wagga Lappers were born.
“Not long after we became a group, we started coming to Bondi to Bronte, which was about six or seven years ago.
“It was always a race we wanted to do, so we thought it would be a great idea to turn it into our annual Christmas party, and the tradition has continued from there.”
Training for ocean swims is no small feat when you’re based in Wagga Wagga, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest beach.
The Lappers rely on pool sessions and swim year-round to prepare for the Bondi to Bronte each year.
“We swim in the 50-metre outdoor pool in summer and the 25-metre indoor pool in winter,” said Mr Egan.
“Swimming in the pool is great, but it’s definitely not the same as the ocean, and we most definitely lack some saltwater fitness and the experience of dealing with waves and currents.
“But we make do with what we have, and we just enjoy the process of preparing.”
The club’s head coach, Shaun Bennett, helps the team stay motivated and ready by ensuring the training remains varied and engaging for all abilities.
“I love writing a swim set before we jump in,” said Mr Bennett.
“But sometimes, I’ll tweak it mid-session to make it tougher. It’s all part of the fun—and a coach’s prerogative!
“We don’t do much open water swimming, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t want to miss the Bondi to Bronte. So we adapted by swimming the virtual Bondi to Bronte in the Murrumbidgee River, which was great fun.”
Having completed six Bondi to Bronte swims, Mr Egan and the Wagga Wagga Lappers have plenty of memories and fun times to reminisce on from the event over the years.
“The people you meet at the Bondi to Bronte are extraordinary,” said Mr Egan.
“There are swimmers from young elites to amputees and elderly gentlemen and ladies, but they all have one thing in common: everyone has the grit to finish the swim, which is incredibly inspiring.”
But what keeps him returning year after year is the sense of accomplishment and the following celebration.
“The Bonte Surf Club at the finish line is always a highlight,” said Mr Egan.
“We say we’ve worked all year for that beer, and it never disappoints.”
Wagga Wagga Lappers Club president Greg Tarbet, a veteran of six Bondi to Bronte swims, perfectly captures the spirit of the event.
“It’s our way of winding down at the end of the year,” said Mr Tarbet.
“We’ve got a fantastic crew of men and women from diverse professions, which brings different perspectives to the group.”
The Wagga Wagga Lappers’ trips to the ‘Big Smoke’ and Bondi each year are as much about fun as they are about swimming.
“One year, we presented Emma from the Bronte surf club with a pink stock whip as a thank-you for their hospitality,” said Mr Egan.
“It was quite funny; the whip was cracked all afternoon post-race, and it became a bit of a legend among the team.
“We also have a tradition of awarding the winning member of our Wagga Wagga Lappers with a pair of gold speedos, which must be worn for the rest of the day, no excuses.
“So if you’re at the Bondi to Bronte and see someone in gold Speedos at the Bronte club, go up to him and he’ll buy you a beer” Mr Egan joked.
The Wagga Wagga Lappers’ weekend in Sydney isn’t just limited to the Bondi to Bronte event; it’s also a time to connect and celebrate.
“We all fly up on Saturday and try not to drink too much the night before,” said Mr Egan.
“Then it’s race day Sunday morning, and after the race, it’s post-race fun and karaoke until the early morning.
“We then end the weekend enjoying a lovely lunch and continuing to celebrate on the harbour before flying home back to Wagga Wagga and leaving Sydney and the Bondi to Bronte festivities for another year.”
For Chris and his teammates, it’s more than just a swim; it’s a celebration of their shared love for the water, the bonds they’ve built, and the memories they’ve created.
“This year, the entire Wagga Wagga Lappers team will be tackling the 2.2-kilometre Bondi to Bronte course,” said Mr Egan.
“We will also have some of our friends and children doing the event, which is exciting.
“We’ll keep coming back each year and bringing more and more people as long as we can make it around the course.
It’s a fantastic family event, and we’re grateful to the Bondi and Bronte Surf Clubs for hosting us every year.”
Mr Egan said, “If you spot the Wagga Wagga Lappers at the Bronte surf club after the race, be sure to say “G’day.”
You might just hear a cracking story—or even spot someone in those infamous gold speedos!
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