Past Participant Feedback
Julian Gibbings
14 time participant
"My favourite swim of the summer. I enjoy swimming along such an iconic coastline and I always feel safe with so many swimmers and lifesavers next to me."
Bernadette Williams
6 time participant
"The 2 km run from Cott to Swanny is a perfect way to start your Saturday. It's great for all fitness levels because you can run on hard or soft sand. It's a beautiful stretch of beach to run on, can't wait for the next one!"
Natalie Owens
5 time participant
"The best ocean swim event of the season! A fun and safe way to take in our glorious coastline and enjoy the live music and BBQ brekky at Swanny Surf Club afterwards!"
The Swanny Ocean Classic is an annual event that has been run by the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club for 40 years. Join around 1000 other competitors swimming, paddling and running the 2km of iconic coastline from Cott to Swanny.
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What are the rules on the board (SUP or Racing Mal)?Anything without a motor should do it. Molokai's are also too fast for this event.
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What events can I participate in?There are 4 separate events: - 2km swim - 2km SUP - 2km run - 2km racing mal All of them start at Cottesloe Beach and finish at Swanbourne Beach.
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How do I get from the finish line back to that start?The walk back to Cott from Swanny is a pretty good one, and the way to go! Either along the beach or the path along Marine Parade. We can't provide transport between the start and the finish or the finish and the start, but if you get a group together for the swim you could carpool and arrange to leave one car at the finish and transport your friends and leave a second car at the start. Please be wary of parking restrictions on the day.
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Who runs the event?The event is run by the awesome Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club.
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In the SUP and Racing Mal events do I need to take my board across the line?You can cross the finish line without your board. Please watch out for others when letting go of your board (preferably above the waterline), and after finishing, retrieve it and place in a safe spot out of the way of other finishing competitors (to the northern side of the finish line).
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Can I compete in more that one event?We recommend just entering one, as some of the events simultaneously.
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What date is the Event?Saturday 1st February 2025
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What is a racing mal?It's a racing malibu, which is unique discipline to surf life saving competitors. Racing mals are similar to the 10"6' yellow boards you'd see next the red and yellow flags on the beach when life savers are on duty. You'll have to BYO if taking part in this event on the day.
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Is there a minimum age for taking part?There is. Check out the ages below (age on the day of the race): - Swim: 12 years old - Run: under 10 years old, must run with a parent - SUP: under 12 years old, must be accompanied by a parent - Racing mal: Need an Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) qualification if under 16, otherwise everyone is welcome (don't need to be Bronze Medallion proficient). Obviously you need to be physically fit and sufficiently trained for this event. SUP and racing mal paddlers must be experienced in paddling these craft. Please note that lifesavers shall have the ultimate and final authority to remove a participant if deemed necessary for safety reasons. The swim has a cut-off time of 45 minutes to reach the half-way marker.
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What do the entry fees pay for?Entry fees contribute to putting on a great event for you on the day! A lot goes into the preparation and operation of the event - timing system, swimming caps, and lifesaving equipment for the event are just a few examples, the costs to run an event do ad up. The remainder contributes towards the operation of the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club, a volunteer organisation.
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How much does it cost to enter?Early bird discounts are available, but normal entry fees for 2025 are: - Swim $49 - SUP $35 - Mal $35 - Run $30 We do accept late registrations on the day, for an additional fee. We'd highly recommend registering beforehand though, to secure your spot and help us plan the day.
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When do entries close?Finding it hard to commit? We recommend registering today. Get into it! You can register online as per above. You can also register on the day, but be sure to get to Cottesloe beach super early. Get onto out mailing list to keep notified about all of this.
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When do online registrations close?1pm on Friday the day before the event (i.e. 1pm Friday 31 January)
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How will I know when the swim is over?The event start is marked by a pink buoy at Cottesloe Beach. The final turn towards the finish line at Swanbourne Beach is also marked by a pink buoy displaying logo of event sponsor Bespoke Finance Group. We'll confirm the colour of this buoy on the day. Yellow buoys will mark the rest of the course to keep you swimming straight. There will also be plenty of lifesavers in Inflatable Rescue Boats and on rescue boards keeping watch and pointing you in the right direction if required. Wouldn't want you swimming to Rottnest!
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Can I wear a wetsuit?You can, but you'll be ineligible for prizes.
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Which wave will I be in?We split people up based on their expected swim time (which you nominate when you register online). You'll find out which wave you're in when you register on the day, which is one of the reasons why it's important to turn up on time to check-in for your event.
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What are the start times on the day?7:00am On the day registrations, and event check-ins open 7:30am Race briefing 7:45am Racing mal start 7:50am SUP start 7:55am Run start 8:00am Swim start (first of 4 waves)
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How do I get my gear from the start to the finish?Whilst it's always good to have someone spectating / cheering you on (and to carry your goodies), we also provide trailers to transport your gear from the start line to the finish line. The trailers will be parked immediately in front of the Indiana Tearooms / Cottesloe SLSC Boatshed between 7:00am and 8:00am prior to the start. The trailers will then make its way to in front of the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club Clubrooms for the finish of the event. Please do not leave valuables in your bag. Please clearly write your name and contact details on your bag or have a distinctive bag so you can determine which bag is yours at the finish.
The Course
The 2km event starts at Cottesloe Beach immediately in front of the Indiana Tearooms and finishes at Swanbourne Beach in front of the Swanbourne Patrol Tower.
All events follow the coast. The swimmers, SUP and racing mal events have a water start, and of course the run is a land based event. In the water, there will be a plenty of buoys to mark the course as well as many water safety personnel on boards to help guide.
Swim
Start 8:00AM
The centre piece of the Swanny Ocean Classic, and a premier swim on the open water calendar. Join many others swimming from iconic Cott to legendary Swanny in this popular event!
Run
Start 7:55AM
What are your legs like on sand? This is a fun 2km run following the coastline from Cott to Swanny. Get your friends along and give it a go.
SUP
Start 7:50AM
Give your core a workout and paddle your SUP for the 2km between Cott and Swanny. Good news is that you get to go first and avoid all of the swimmers.
MAL
Start 7:45AM
For those of you who know how to paddle a racing mal give those triceps a test and paddle from Cott to Swanny. You'll smash it out in no time!
Event Timing
7:00am Event check-in and registrations open
7:30am Race briefing
7:45am Racing mal start time
7:50am SUP start time
7:55am Run start time
8:00am Swim start time (first of 4 waves)
Image Credit @saltdiaries
The 2025 Swanny Ocean Classic is in honour of the late Colin CooK, and his passion, drive and dedication for the event. Colin Cook was the CO-founder of the first Ocean Classic event in 1986, and a much loved Life Member of Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club. You can read more about Colin Cook here.