A poster on the 42nd annual Palm Beach to Whale Beach Ocean Swim, URM Little Big Swim and Dash for Cash is included with this letter; it would be appreciated if you can advise your ocean swimming members.
The Macquarie Big Swim is on 31st January 2016, commencing at Palm Beach at 10.00 AM.
The swim is a 2.5 K journey swim around the Palm Beach headland to Whale Beach. Now in its 42nd year, it is our clubs major annual fund-raiser and is historically a premier swim in Australia.
Prior to The Big Swim in the same location will be the URM Little Big Swim, an under 1km swim around the southern corner of Palm Beach. In a change from previous years this event will commence at 8.30am. This event targets new entrants in ocean swimming and remains within close range of the shoreline at all times with significant water safety. An excellent event for younger swimmers or those not comfortable with 2.5km distance.
There are a number of initiatives in the 2016 events:
- The Little Big Swim will commence at 8.30pm, previously 9.00am.
- Entries will be permitted in both the Big Swim and the Little Big Swim for a discounted fee of $70 for both.
- The Little Big Swim under 18 years $30 entry.
- The Big Swim, Fins n Skins, a new category in 2016 with no grouping other than wetsuits and flippers are allowed (in this category only). Only for the Big Swim.
Central Coast and Newcastle swimmers can travel to the swim by courtesy of a special ferry from Palm Beach Ferry Services who will run a 7.20 AM ferry from Wagstaff and a 7.30 AM ferry from Ettalong.
You will be met at Palm Beach where a charter bus will meet you and take yours to the swim start. A bus will later return swimmers their family and spectators from Whale Beach to Palm Beach for the 2.00 PM return ferry to the Central Coast.
Come along and make a picnic day with your family. BBQ and hospitality await at Whale Beach (after you have completed the swim).
Full details including online entry can be found on our web site www.thebigswim.org.au or www.oceanswims.com
Thanks and here’s to a safe and trouble free summer on our beaches.
Simon Morgan
Race Director, The Big Swim, 2016