Outline of 5km Bondi-Bronte-Bondi course

An epic coastal swim commencing out through the breaking waves at Bondi Beach, initially heading north to a turning buoy at Ben Buckler headland. You will then turn south to swim down the coast to Bronte past the famed Bronte Reef before turning north to head back up the coast and return to the sand through the break at Bondi.

The overall course distance is approximate, prevailing swell and weather conditions on the day will determine final buoy placement and distance.

PLEASE NOTE
This epic 5km coastal swim is on PAUSE for the 2025 Special Edition Bronte to Bondi Ocean Swim. The 5km course will return in future years.

Categories

Only 2 categories: Male and Female

Entry Criteria

Please note: The 5km Bondi-Bronte-Bondi course is on pause for 2025. If you are interested in entering the swim in future years please read the entry criteria below

• The minimum age on event day is 13 years old
• The 5km swim course is open to advanced level swimmers only
• You must be able to complete a 5km time trial pool swim in under 1hr 30mins and are required to provide evidence to the event organiser at least two weeks prior to the event day. Please send your evidence to swims@bonditobronte.com.au
• You acknowledge that the swim course distance is approximate only, and the final distance will be determined by bouy placement on the day subject to swell and weather considerations.
• Participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present on event day.
  
  

The event organiser requires proof of eligibility which may be provided as either of the following:

• Evidence of a 5km time trial pool swim via a smart device (under 1hr 30mins) completed within 3 months of this event  
• Published results from a previously completed 5km open water swim (under 120 mins) completed within 12 months of this event 
  e.g., results page from the Sydney Harbour Splash, Cole Classic, Balmoral Swim or Malabar Magic Ocean Swim, South Head Roughwater or similar.

Please send your proof of eligibility to this following address: swims@bonditobronte.com.au 

On the day, to ensure the safety of all participants and water safety: 

• All participants must complete the Bondi to Bronte 5km course within a cut off time of 120 mins.
• Participants who have not reached the Bronte turning buoy within 55 mins, or the finish line within 120 mins will not be permitted to continue and will be removed from the course and returned to the shore at Bondi Beach by water safety personnel.

Prize Presentation

Everyone who finishes is a winner !

We offer $250 cash and a B2B embroided towel to the 1st male and female

Of course, if you beat your buddies, you will also get bragging rights !

Don't hesitate also to have a look at our prizes presentation page

Wave Time

Please note:

The timetable below is indicative only. The 5km event is on PAUSE for 2025.

Wave Sequence	Start	Category	Fatest Time (2022)	Average Time (2022)	Cap colour
Wave 1	7:30am	All Male Swimmers	0:57:01	1:22:55	Silver + White stripe
Wave 2	7:32am	All Female Swimmers	0:58:46	1:22:37	Aqua + White stripe

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.

Wetsuit Policy

First and foremost, our responsibility to is to ensure the safety and comfort of all swim participants and our Water Safety Team. Equally, we want every single person to enjoy their swim experience.

Water temperatures and surf conditions can vary significantly year on year. Swell direction can keep people in the water longer than their average 5km pool swim, which in turn keeps our water safety team in the water longer.

We have a clearly defined wetsuit policy that enables all swimmers to decide whether to wear a wetsuit on the day dependant on conditions. The policy allows for participants to have a fair and equitable opportunity to win prizes if that is a priority for them.

We provide a complimentary, secure, bag storage service for all 5K participants, so feel free to bring your wetsuit and make the decision once you are at Bondi.

Please ensure, if you are keen to be in the running for a prize, that you have read and understood our complete wetsuit policy

SWIMWEAR POLICY

The Event adopts the following policy in regards to swimwear for all competitors in the Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim 2km and 5km courses:

For water temperature =18°C and above on race day, swimmers shall wear either standard swimming jammers, briefs or standard one or two piece swimmers if they wish to qualify for placings and prizes. 

The swimsuits shall be made from textile materials and no neoprene. 

Participants may elect to wear a race suit however they will not be eligible for any placing or prizes.

As noted in our wetsuit policy:

If a participant chooses to wear a wetsuit they will be required to swim in the wetsuit wearers wave category. An overall first and second prize is allocated to the 1st and 2nd placed male and female wetsuit wearer regardless of age category. (Prizes are not allocated for each age category for wetsuit wearers).

For water temperature less than 18°C on race day, wetsuits are permitted and strongly encouraged for all participants.