Race Information
The Event: A 10 km ocean swim starting from North Bondi Beach heading north around Ben Buckler & north along the coastline to South Head then into Sydney Harbour past Lady Bay, Camp Cove & into the finish at the slipway of the Vaucluse Yacht Club located in Marine Parade, Watsons Bay. A boat must accompany all swimmers.
Start: 9:00 am - from the sand of North Bondi Beach.
Finish: Between 11.30 am & 1:30 pm dependent on current & weather conditions on the day at the Vaucluse Yacht Club.
Teams: Consist of a boat & skipper, plus the swimmers (ie. solo, duo or team of 3 or more swimmers). Having a paddler is encouraged, but optional. All solos, duo or teams must have a boat to accompany them through the swim.
Time Limit: For insurance & water safety reasons, there is a time limit of 5 hours on the swim. All swimmers & teams must have completed the swim course within this time. Any team or swimmer that has not completed the course within this time will be registered as” DID NOT FINISH.”
Boat: Each swim team will must have their own boat to carry & accompany their swimmers during the swim. Surf skis & sea kayaks can only be used to guide & assist swimmers – they are not recognized as a boat. For the purposes of risk management only one team / swimmer will be allowed to swim from one boat.
Intervals: Each swimmer will swim for 10-minute intervals & then change to the next swimmer until all swimmers have completed one 10-minute swim. Swimmers can then swim at their own chosen time intervals until the swimmers reached the turning buoy located after check point 2. All swimmers must swim from this point into the finish line at the Vaucluse Yacht Club. Team changes should be made 10m from vessel in a visible manner on the seaward side of the vessel. Engines must be in neutral when swimmers get onto the boat. Consider using a float on a rope to retrieve swimmers at team changes.
The Course: The swim will begin from the beach at North Bondi Beach, & Swimmers will head out to Ben Buckler Point.
Check Point 1 - First swimmer departing from the beach to join their boat crew and team who will be waiting approximately 500m off Ben Buckler Point at a check point manned by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. Each swimmer is to stop, identify their swim number and be matched up with their attending boat. Swimmers will not be allowed to move on unless their boat is present at this checkpoint The course then swings left (North) & begins the trek up the coastline, past Bondi Golf Course, Dover Heights, Rose Bay North, Diamond Bay, Rosa Gully, Macquarie Light House,the Gap & finally Hornsby Light House on the South Head of Sydney Heads.Swimmers then turn left again at South Head for the final leg into Sydney Harbour, Swimmers will pass Lady Bay, Camp Cove & Laings Point.
Check Point 2 – Located in Watsons Bay - All swimmers must stop and register at the second check point manned by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. If there is any ferry traffic proceeding to or from Watson’s Bay wharf the swimmers must wait at the check point until the path is clears to proceed .Swimmers will swim on into Watson’s Bay to a turning buoy located beyond the ferry path where all Swimmers in each team will enter the water as a team and swim into the finish line at the Vaucluse Yacht Club located in Watson’s Bay.
Post Swim: A post swim function is held so that swimmers can reflect on their individual & collective efforts. Swimmers will receive food and drinks to help their recovery. A presentation will be made to the winners of each category. Perpetual Trophies will be presented to the first swimmers in the following categories: Teams (4 males or 4 females or mixed (2 male and 2 female), Duos - male, female & mixed, Solo - male and female.
Swim Briefing: A compulsory swim briefing will be held on Friday evening at 7.00 pm, 14 May 2010, at the Vaucluse Yacht Club. Team numbers & swim caps will be given out. It is compulsory that one member of each solo, duo or team MUST be present at the briefing.
Authorities: The Australiana Volunteer Coast Guard will act as mother ship for the swim, & be both visual & radio contact with all boats.
Safety: The safety of all involved is paramount. Each team will be entirely responsible for the safety of their swimmers, in conjunction with their boat captain. Decisions relating to when to bring Swimmers on board rest with the team, & in this regard, it is recommended that teams organise a paddler to assist with monitoring swimmers in the water, navigation, & keeping watch for water hazards that might harm Swimmers. Swimmers are encouraged to provide their own immediate first aid equipment for ailments such as blue bottles, sea sickness, cramps etc.
Bad weather: The swim is subject to weather conditions. If unfavourable conditions develop, advice will be sought as to whether to postpone or cancel the swim. Any decision in this regard rests solely with the safety committee of the swim.
Entries: Entry fee is $85 per individual swimmer, which includes GST. Entries close 13th May 2010.
