Event Day Information

 

Race Start

Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim - Sunday 4th December 2016 at 10:15am on Bondi Beach

Wave Sequence	Start	Category	Gender	Fastest Times	Average Times
Wave 1	10:15am	Elite	M&F	M 22:29 F 24:53	M 37:30 F 39:44
Wave 2	10.18am	U20's	M&F	M 26:11 F 27:42	M 46:06 F 46:00
		20-24	M&F	M 27:35 F 27:49	M 54:57 F 56:20
Wave 3	10.20am	50-59	M&F	M 27:35 F 27:49	M 59:27 F 57:59
Wave 4	10.22am	60+	M&F	M 27:35 F 27:49	M 59:27 F 57:59
Wave 5	10.24am	Fins Floaties, Families & Friends	M&F	M 32:55 F 35:06	M 1:01:46 F 1:04:29
10 minutes break
Wave 6	10.34am	35-39	M	M 27:11	M 56:11
Wave 7	10.37am	30-34 & 35-39	F	F 30:10 F 26:22	F 57:12 F 1:00:09
Wave 8	10.40am	25-29	M&F	M 26:39 F 27:06	M 53:24 F 56:19
5 minutes break
Wave 9	10.45am	40-44	M&F	M 29:15 F 27:10	M 58:13 F 56:26
Wave 10	10.48am	45-49	M&F	M 25:53 F 29:48	M 46:04 F 57:17
Wave 11	10.51am	30-34	M	M 25:55	M 54:52

 

Why do we have waves?

1. For swimmer and our water team’s safety, as we need to limit numbers in the water at any one time.
2. To ensure swimmers are within a category suitable for their age.
3. To ensure fairness in competition and promote sportsmanship.

Why are 10 min breaks scheduled between the waves?

1. To maintain swimmer safety at all times
2. To limit the number of swimmers on the course at any one time
3. To all allow B2B management to assess the conditions and make safe judgement calls for the continuation of the event
4. To allow for the on-water safety team rotation
   
   

Wetsuit Policy

We want to run a fair event for all; however swimmer safety is absolutely paramount.

Bondi to Bronte is an early season event, water temperatures and the surf conditions can keep people in the water much longer than their average 2km swim.

In 2012 we introduced a more lenient wetsuit policy, and after much criticism, it is important to share with you what lead to the revision and implementation of the Wetsuit Policy.

In 2012 the incidence of First Aid cases due to cold (hypothermia) reduced significantly from around 400 cases in 2011 to only 18 in 2012. The conditions in 2012 were slightly more favourable than in 2011, however they were still cold and tough thanks to the southerly.

Looking beyond the First Aid stats - here’s a snap shot from the questionnaire we sent out to all B2B past swimmers in 2012:

• Wettie allowance: 77% said wetsuits should be allowed if it is cold, however only 55% said they would wear a wettie if it was allowed.
• Prizes:
• 44% said anyone should be able to win a prize if wetties were allowed, 39% said wettie wearers should not get a prize at all, 20% thought it was fair that 1st & 2nd non-wettie and 1st wettie only gets a prize.

The other factor we must consider is our incredible water safety team of around 70 people on boards or in IRB’s providing safety and support across the course. In 2011 they were stretched due to the number of people being rescued and supported due to the cold and challenging conditions. In 2012, with a more lenient wetsuits policy our team believe that swimmers made better decisions based on the conditions on the day, for their experience and ability.  The safety of swimmers and water safety is the single most important aspect to this event.

We know wettie allowance levels/temps are contentious and some have raised concerns over where and when the temps should be taken and by whom (currently Waverley Council Lifeguards).

After much consultation with swimmers, industry experts & stakeholders and leading event risk specialists in 2011, 2012 & 2013 we WILL allow people to wear their wetsuit in age groups.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place NOT wearing a wetsuit and then a prize for the fastest wettie wearer only. Meaning a maximum of 1 prize is available to wettie wearers per age group.
The Timing Guys, our event Timing partner, will list results split by non-wetties and wetties. Swimmers will be separated as they cross the finish line into wetties and non-wetties.

Age Group Prizes

• Fastest non-wettie wearer
• 2nd fastest non-wettie wearer
• Fastest wettie wearer

Swimmer belongings will be transported back to Bronte, so feel free to bring your wetsuit to make the decision once you are at Bondi.

Parking

Bondi Beach provides metered parking in the Park Drive and ticketed parking in Queen Elizabeth Drive.

Bronte Beach offers paid parking in the Bronte Beach Cutting car park.

Many competitors park at Bronte and walk the coastal walk from Bronte to Bondi and leave their personal belongings in the security area, which is bagged and transported back to Bronte, prior to the completion of the swim.

Public Transport

Both Bronte and Bondi Beaches provide great public transport options.

Bronte Beach is linked by the NEW 440 bus service to Central Railway Station via Bondi Junction Railway Station with buses running on a Sunday every 20 mins. Bondi Junction Railway Station is located at the end of the Eastern Suburbs railway line with a regular service to Martin Place and Town Hall, in the city and Central Railway Station.

Bondi Beach has a number of Bus Services (365, 380, 381, L82), running every 10 mins to Circular Quay and Central Railway Station.

Spectators & Supporters

The Bondi to Bronte ocean swim follows the coast from Bondi Beach around Mackenzies point, past Tamarama Beach and into Bronte.

The Bronte to Bondi coastal walk provides spectators and supporters with a spectacular view of the course and all the swimmers from the cliff top path. The walk forms an amphitheatre for spectators to follow all the action in the water.

Personal Belongings

There will be 3 baggage delivery times, so if you are in a later wave group you can keep your clothes, keeping warm for longer. Look for the large van in the parking area near the registrations area - or ask any of our helpful event crew. 

The delivery vans will be leaving Bondi at approximately: 9:45am, 10:15am and 10:35am. 

You will be given a tag to tie and write your name and contact details on and will be transported to Bronte Beach. The swimmer bags will be delivered into the park area where they will separated by swim wave colours. There will be a team who will secure and help you locate your bag easily. 

Registrations | Open at 8:00am on Event Day

All swimmers need to mark off their name on the morning at the registration tables in the Bondi Beach Event Site. At registration you will need to collect your ankle strap timing chip and your colour coded swim cap. Each age group registration table is clearly marked and the friendly volunteers from Bronte Surf Life Saving Club are there to help you.

Don't be late, as B2B registration closing time is 30 minutes prior to your age category wave time.

B2B Late Entries - 2500 max entries for Event

Late Entries (cash only) are available on Sunday 4th December at the registration area from 8:00am – 9.30am or as late entries sell out.

Please note we have a limit of how many swimmers we can take on the day, so please come down early if you wish to register on the day.

No Credit Card payments available.

Refreshments  

After your great achievement of completing Sydney's most classic ocean journey swim it's time to relax and enjoy the camaraderie that Bronte Surf Club is famous for.

The Bronte Kiosk will also be serving an assortment of healthy sandwiches, wraps and rolls as well as fresh fruit juices and smoothies.

Bronte Surf Club is putting on their famous sausage sizzle at the barbecue, a delicacy not to be missed.
Liquid refreshments are available in the club house, so why not join your friends on the balcony and relive your achievement.

Presentation | Bronte Surf Club | 1:30pm

The presentation of prizes, with thanks to Speedo, to the winners and place getters in each age category and teams will take place inside Bronte Surf Club immediately after the 'Dash for Cash'.

All the results from the Bondi to Bronte ocean swim are posted on the club notice board prior to the presentation.

You can also download your result from the iPhone app called ‘sport splits’.