What better way to close out the summer season than with a swim at Sydney’s most iconic beach?
In 2026, the City Ford Sydney Bondi Blue Water Challenge will be held on Sunday 3 May.
The event keeps everything people love about Bondi. Three swim distances mean there’s an easy entry point for newcomers with the 500 m and 1 km options, while experienced ocean swimmers can settle into the rhythm of the 2 km loop. For those who like their challenge a little sandier, the 2 km and 4 km soft-sand runs deliver two or four laps of famous Bondi shoreline, simple, honest, and surprisingly tough in the best way.
There’s a relaxed, celebratory feel that comes with this time of year. Autumn light, salty air, music on the beach, and swimmers of all ages sharing that end-of-season glow. Run by Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, it’s a genuine community event, grounded in surf culture and local pride, and delivered by people who truly know this stretch of coast.
A classic location and a chance to finish the ocean-swimming season together, in true Bondi style.
SCHEDULE
7:30 am – Registration and check-in opens for all swims and beach runs (surf club)
8:25 am – Race briefing for the 500m swim (at the start line)
8:30 am – 500m swim start
8:40 am – Race briefing for the 2km & 4km run (at the start line)
8:45 am – 2km & 4km beach run start
9:00 am – Awards presentation for the 500m swim (on the beach)
9:10 am – Race briefing for the 1km swim (at the start line)
9:15 am – 1km swim start
9:30 am – Awards presentation for the beach runs (on the beach)
10:25 am – Race briefing for the 2km swim (at the start line)
10:15 am – 2km swim start
11:00 am – Awards presentation for the 1km and 2km swims (surf club)
Entries:
https://oceanswims.com/event/bondi-bluewater-challenge/
Also check out other Contests in Bondi, Sports events in Bondi.
