Event information

Event details

The City Ford Bondi Blue Water Challenge will be held on Sunday 3 March 2024 at the iconic Bondi Beach. 

Start times

• 7:15 am (until 15mins before event) – Registration

• 8:00 am – 2km & 4km sand run

• 9:00 am – 500m fun swim

• 9:30 am – 1.5km swim

• 10:30 am – 3km swim

Location

The swim takes place in front of the Bondi Surf Club located on Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach.

Races

The City Ford Bondi Blue Water Challenge is made up of 3 swim distances: 500m, 1.5 km and 3 km as well as a 2 km and 4 km soft sand run.

Minimum ages

OCEAN SWIMS: The minimum age for the 500m swim is 9 years, 10 years for the 1.5 km and and 12 years for the 3 km swim. All competitors under the age of 18 will need parental consent to swim.

SOFT SAND RUN: The minimum age for the 2 km and 4 km beach run is 10 years old. All competitors under the age of 18 will need parental consent to swim.

Age group categories

2 km and 4 km beach run -- The age breakdown is as follows: Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over. 

1.5 km and 3 km swims --There will be age group categories for the 1.5 km and 3 km swims. The age breakdown is as follows: Under 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 70 and over.

Prizes and awards presentation

There are prizes for the top three place getters for each gender in each age category in each race. The 500m swim will award prizes for the top three male and female winners overall.

The presentation for the 2 km and 4 km run will be held on the beach at 8:30am. The presentation for the 1.5 km and 3 km swims will be held in Bondi Surf Club at the conclusion of the 3 km swim.

Wetsuits, flippers, and snorkels

The City Ford Bondi Blue Water Challenge is a fun community event aimed at all swimming abilities. Competitors may use extraneous aids such as flippers, snorkels, floatation clothing or devices in any of the swims, but will not be eligible for any prize or qualify as an official place getter.

Swimmers with disabilities

We encourage all swimmers to participate. If you require assistance during the swim, please contact us. We will make every effort to make it a safe and enjoyable swim.

Swim course

500m swim

The 500m course (tea linel) is around two marker buoys set approximately 200 metres from the shoreline.

1.5 km swim

The 1.5km course (dotted blue line) is a rectangle shaped course. Participants leave the beach and pass the gate buoy on their right. Heading towards Icebergs, turn left around the two marker buoy in the south end of the bay, and swim north across the bay and turn left around the two north marker buoys. They then swim south and turn right at the final gate buoy and after a short run, finish under the blue arch.

3 km swim

The 3km course (solid blue line) follows the same course as the 1.5km swim with participants completing 2 loops before turning right at the last marker buoy. 

Please note that the swim courses may be altered on the day depending on surf conditions.

Beach Run Course 

2 km and 4 km Beach Run 

The 2km and 4km beach run courses will be run on the soft sand along the promenade, starting just north of Bondi Surf Club. Participants in the 2km course will complete 2 loops and participants in the 4km race will complete 4 loops of the beach. The run will finish in front of Bondi Surf Club through the blue arch.

Both distances will be start at the same time.