The Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim (incorporating all swim courses available on the day, hereafter called the "Event") has a team of volunteers and paid personnel who assist with the preparation and running of the swim. There is a committee of key personnel who meet to decide on how the Event should be run based on industry best practice and risk management protocols. Bronte Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) obtains Event insurance for this Event under the umbrella of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, and as such must meet their requirements for conducting Events. BSLSC must also meet the requirements of local council and Maritime, with all three entities providing approval to conduct this Event.
BSLSC risk management practices cover the many activities which occur on the day, with planning to manage identified, potential risks. These activities include but are not limited to:
The Event committee are responsible for ensuring each activity on the day is conducted in accordance with our planned operations. Ultimately BSLSC want all persons involved in the Event to have a great experience without harm or injury occurring.
Water Safety Briefing
On the day of the Event, there will be a water safety briefing for all water safety personnel involved. This water safety briefing includes swimmer drop off, incident management and communications.
Based on water safety ratio requirements set out by Surf Life Saving Australia, the Event meets these guidelines and exceeds the recommended water safety numbers. The Event is known for its water safety personnel as many swimmers provide wonderful reviews stating their thanks for the water safety team.
Water Safety on the Course
On the day, the following water safety and support craft will be patrolling the course for the duration of the Event:
If You Need Assistance
If a swimmer feels unable to go on, they should attract the attention of the water safety personnel. REMAIN CALM, stay stationary, raise your arm and wait for assistance.
If another swimmer identifies a person in need of assistance, we ask that each swimmer makes themselves available to signal for assistance in an attempt to help us identify any persons in need of help.
The water safety team will identify any request for assistance as quickly as we can and we will get assistance to that person as soon as practical.
A swimmer deemed incapable of completing the course will be brought onto one of the support vessels by the water safety team and transported to shore. However, please note that your safety cannot be guaranteed.
Important Safety Information
This is a demanding ocean swim Event. The Bondi to Bronte Swim organisers cannot guarantee your safety. Obvious risks include and are not limited to the following: injury and/or drowning, due to being hit by other persons, objects, boats or vessels. Other obvious risks include, cold weather and water, entry and exit injuries, stings, sandbars, medical conditions and marine life.
When in the wave zone, either leaving the beach or approaching the shore, all swimmers should be aware of the breaking waves by looking ahead or behind.
Mandatory Course Cut-off Times
Each Event is subject to mandatory course cut-off times. Any swimmer who fails to reach the relevant course point within the applicable cut-off time, or who remains on the course after the final cut-off time, may be removed from the Event and transported to shore at the direction of the Event Organiser or water safety personnel.
This is not only for the safety of all swimmers but it is also for the safety of our water safety team.
The applicable cut-off times are as follows:
Bondi to Bronte 2km+ Swim: Any swimmer who has not passed the halfway point off South Bondi Headland within 45 minutes after the commencement of the final age-category wave will be removed from the Event and transported to shore.
Bondi–Bronte–Bondi 5km Swim: Any swimmer who has not reached the Bronte turning buoy within the cut-off time determined by the Event Organiser, nominally 55 minutes after the commencement of the swimmer’s wave, may be removed from the Event and transported to shore.
Bondi Bay 1km Swim: Any swimmer who remains on the course more than 45 minutes after the commencement of the final age-category wave may be removed from the Event and transported to shore.
Following Water Safety Directions
While in the water, all swimmers must comply with the directions of lifeguards and/or the water safety team. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the Event.
If you hear a continuous whistle blast from the water safety, please stop and listen to their instructions.
Swimmer Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the swimmer to inform themselves of the beach and water conditions on the day, prior to participating in the Event.
Each swimmer participates in the Event at their own risk and is responsible for ensuring that they are physically fit and adequately prepared to participate.
Any swimmer who does pull out of the race must notify race officials in the Information Tent on the beach immediately.
5km Entry Requirements
Proof of Eligibility
The event organiser requires proof of eligibility which may be provided as either of the following:
5km Cut-Off Times
On the day, to ensure the safety of all participants and water safety:
Our Approach to Wetsuits
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, week on week and day to day. Swell direction can keep people in the water longer than their average 2km or 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 participants 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.
Making the Decision on Race Day
We provide a complimentary bag transport service between Bronte and Bondi for all participants, so feel free to bring your wetsuit and make the decision at the beach.
To check the water temperature on the day, please go to the Waverly Council Lifeguard sign as they take the water temperature daily and record it for the public to view.
We know wetsuit allowance levels/temps are contentious. In short, our policy is as follows and is based on the water temperature taken by Waverley Council Lifeguards at 6am on race day at both Bondi Beach and Bronte Beach:
Water Temperature 18 degrees Celsius and above:
Bondi to Bronte 2km swim
Prizes in each age category are awarded to non-wetsuit wearers. If a participant choses to wear a wetsuit they will be required to swim in the "Wetsuits, Fins, Families and Friends" 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).
Bondi to Bronte to Bondi 5km swim
Prizes for the first male and female regardless of age category are awarded to non-wetsuit wearers. There are no prizes for wetsuit wearers in the 5km swim event.
Water Temperature below 18 degrees Celsius:
Bondi to Bronte 2km swim
All participants will be strongly encouraged to wear a wetsuit. Prizes in each age category will be awarded regardless of wetsuit status.
Bondi to Bronte to Bondi 5km swim
This event will be cancelled where the water temperature is below 18 degrees Celsius.
5km and B2B Elite entriesPlease refer to our swimwear policy.
The Event adopts the following policy in regards to swimwear for all competitors in the Event 1km, 2km and 5km courses:
Water Temperature 18°C and Above
For water temperature 18 degrees Celsius 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.
Swimsuits for men shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, or extend past the shoulder, nor below the knee.
The swimsuits shall be made from textile materials and no neoprene.
Participants that elect to wear a suit that extends above the naval, past the knees or shoulders or covers the neck and/or are made from other materials, will not qualify for prizes or placings.
Water Temperature Below 18°C
For water temperature less than 18 degrees Celsius on race day, wetsuits are permitted and strongly encouraged for all participants with qualification for prizes and placings.
Wetsuits and Prize Eligibility
In regards to the 2km+ Bondi to Bronte course, as noted in our wetsuit policy:
If a participant chooses to wear a wetsuit they will be required to swim in the "Wetsuits, Fins, Families & Friends" 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).
Event Rules
If You Withdraw from the Event
Any swimmer who does pull out of the Event must notify Event officials immediately and return the ankle strap timing chip. Failure to return the timing bracelet will result in a fee of $50. If you withdraw from the Event and require transport to Bronte Beach, the Event organisers have supplied a shuttle bus. Please report to the Event Information Tent, located within the Event Village, where staff will provide instructions and direct you to the shuttle bus meeting point.
Crossing the Timing Mats
Prior to starting your swim, you must cross over the timing mats which are located on the beach. Failure to cross these mats will result in your swim not being timed. The mats are located within the starting chute which is identified by the crowd control barriers.
Follow Water Safety Directions
While in the water, all swimmers must comply with the directions of lifeguards and/or the water safety team. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the Event.
The Event will ensure that all competitors have access to a fair and equitable process in dealing with grievance and provide an avenue for competitors to affect their final position.
The policies and procedures to raise a complaint and dispute must be completed as follows:
The Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim respects your ability to make informed choices about the collection and use of your personal information. The Event respects your right to privacy and we are bound by National Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act. We use personal information collected from competitors to inform them of competition details or advance notice of competitions. We consider that information provided by you to us is sensitive and deserves to be handled with the utmost care. For this reason, all files are strictly confidential and all information is classified.
Bronte Surf Life Saving Club Inc. is covered by its own public liability insurance. This does not include personal accident insurance. It is strongly recommended that you take out your own personal accident and ambulance cover for the Event. Your private health insurance policy may include this, however you will need to check this specifically with your private health insurer.
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