History

The Bondi to Bronte Community Ocean Swim (B2B) was started in 2001 by the then President of Bronte Surf Club, Graham Ford to raise funds to send a team of young Bronte Surf Club Competitors to the World Life Saving Championships at Daytona Florida USA in 2002.

Graham Ford now Patron of Bronte Surf club recalls "At the first B2B we were not sure how many people would compete. We thought 300 would be great for our first event, catered for 500 but over 700 turned up. It was chaos but somehow we managed with the manual processing of entries and times, how things have changed, with online entries and electronic timing".

In 2003 the event welcomed the long term naming rights sponsor Banana Boat, who have since supported the event and Bronte Surf Club to date.

The B2B has enjoyed ongoing success to now be established as one of the premier journey ocean swims on the calender. After 5 years as Race Director, recognising that the role required full time management, Graham's son Stephen (KMS Events) took on event as Race Director. Graham's wife Trish has organised event day entries every year with her band of ladies at Bondi and Graham continues to be involved coordinating the herd of swimmers at Bondi, starting the swim.

Graham is extremely proud of the Bronte Surf Club volunteer members, who all contribute to make the B2B a successful event. "Whether its Bluey and his boys on the buses collecting competitors gear, Teddy Clifford and Paul Johnson and their water safety crew, Roley Tyrrell and the BBQ team or the Trish and her ladies, they make the event the success it is".

Each year the majority of funds raised is allocated to purchasing valuable lifesaving gear for Bronte Surf Club and funds are also directed to the World Lifesaving Championship Team Fund to continue to send Bronte Surf Life Savers to World Championships, which is the lasting legacy for which the event was established.

From humble beginnings the B2B has become a Sydney Iconic event... on the first Sunday of December each year.