The Swims

Choose either a long or a short swim depending on your ability and age!

• The Mini Swim will start at 8:45am
• The Classic will start at 9:45am
• The "Dash for Cash" will be at about 12 noon

Competitors in the 'Dash for Cash" event must have completed the "Classic".

The Classic, 2km

The 2008 Ocean Swim Classic will be, as in previous years, a 2 km open ocean swim from Wategoes Beach to Main Beach, Byron Bay.

The event is open to all strong swimmers 12 years of age and over on the day.

You may enter the Open Elite Superfish Men or Elite Superfish Women categories for cash prizes, or age categories of 12-15, 16-19, and then 5 year age groups from 20 to 74, including a 75 and over group.

The Classic will start from Wategoes at 9:45am. Please ensure that you allow plenty of time to register for the swims at Byron Bay surf club then to travel by free shuttle bus to the start.

The Mini Swim, 800m

The new for 2008 Mini Ocean Swim, is a swim of approximately 800 metres to 1 km depending on conditions.

The course will start on the beach at a point west of “The Pass” and will finish in front of the Surf Club.

Aimed to introduce competent swimmers of all ages to the joys of ocean swimming, this event is for people who want to try open water swimming for the first time or feel that the Classic swim is a bit too formidable!

It is designed for children 9 years of age and over and novices, who are good swimmers, such as surf club nippers and swimming club members.

This event will start at 8-45am. Please ensure that you allow plenty of time to register for the swims at Byron Bay surf club then to travel by free shuttle bus to the start.

Preparing the courses

We cannot guarantee that there is no risk in ocean swimming but the following measures will be in place --

• If sea or weather conditions are considered unsafe the event will be postponed to Sunday, June 1, 2008
• Both the "Classic" and the "Mini" swims will have numerous safety craft in attendance and the courses will be marked by buoys
• There will be a number of boats including SLSC rescue boats in the water patrolling the course, as well as lifesavers on skis
• The course will be "swept" by 2 boats just prior to the start
• If sharks are sighted prior to the event it will be postponed (as currently occurs with surf lifesaving carnivals).

Remember, swimmers have the choice of entering in either, but not both, events.

Total numbers of competitors in both events will be restricted to 2000 swimmers, so enter early to avoid disappointment.