This month, two Sydney LGBTIQ+ aquatics clubs, Wett Ones and Sydney Stingers, are hosting the Australian Queer Aquatics (AQUA) Festival, with an open water swim to take place in Manly Cove this Saturday, 11 February.

LGBTIQ+ clubs from around Australia and the globe are set to come together in and around the harbour with an array of activities on offer including; ocean swimming, pool swimming, water polo and a beach festival.

The AQUA Festival will kick off at Manly Cove with a beach festival, Bobby Goldsmith Memorial Ocean Swim and beach water polo.

The Bobby Goldsmith Memorial Ocean Swim offers swimmers either a 1km or 2km ocean swim in an around-the-buoys course formatting starting from 7 am.

“We are excited to welcome swimmers from all over the world to the AQUA festival in Sydney,” said Luca Alessi, President of Sydney Wett Ones.

“AQUA will be days of friendship, fun and inclusion, while we share our passion for the water and swimming.

“Participants are set to enjoy swimming while combining the magic and spirit of Sydney WorldPride.”

Sydney Stingers President Ben Thomas said, “the AQUA Festival will be something special, while we advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in the aquatic sports of Australia and beyond.”

To find out more about the AQUA festival, and to enter the open water swim, head to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation Memorial Swim listing.