Transfers: You can transfer yourself to a different distance or transfer your entry to another person via your Race Roster dashboard up until 24 hours before entries close. Visit your dashboard
Pre-event: Use the event support contact form for all event queries.
Event day: For support on the day of the event, talk to an event official. Urgent event updates will be communicated via SMS. If you don’t hear from us, the event is on as and where scheduled.
Reviews
We’re well and truly out of the main ocean swimming season in Sydney by May, but all too often the weather at this time of the year for the South Curl Curl ‘Ken Ward Memorial’ Ocean Swim takes the cake. If the air temp is variable, the water almost always isn’t, with autumn temperatures still hovering around the 20-23 degrees – superb for swimming!
Not far up the northern beaches (a hop skip and a jump north of Manly), the 2km journey ocean swim, supported by Freshwater Community Bank, a branch of Bendigo Bank, is the most popular distance and course combo with ocean swimmers for the challenge and adventure, yet there aren’t that many on the calendar.
Swimmers are provided with a fantastic course taking in a small amount of reef, blue water and a mostly sandy bottom.
Spectators can enjoy 100% views of the swim as they follow along on the coastal walkway from South Curl Curl to McKillop Park and Freshwater.
Starting in front of the South Curl Curl surf club, this 2km swim will not return to this beach, instead, you’ll head through the breakers, then south around the headland before a sharp right-hand turn takes you to the middle of Freshwater Beach.
There are usually four starts 5 minutes apart and if weather conspires against this course, the swim direction could be reversed or an alternate course offered.
If you’re heading back to South Curl Curl for the presentation, then after the formalities, head straight up into the surf club to dine and get your caffeine hit from Gusto on the Beach – the cafe is tucked right inside the club with unparalleled views of the beach.
If you’re sticking around Freshwater, there are a range of cafes to suit every taste right near the beach.
The coastal walk from South Curly to Freshwater or back from your swim is quite a treat as well.
Freshwater and South Curl Curl beaches are close together, so it doesn’t really matter whether you park at either of the beaches. If you park at Freshwater, you’ll need to walk to the start at South Curl Curl, if you park at South Curl Curl you’ll need to walk back to the car after your swim.
Maybe the go is to park in the streets somewhere in the middle.
The 167 bus route runs right past the start at South Curl Curl, and also one block from the finish at Freshwater.
Water bottles
You should bring your own water bottle, however, water refills will be possible.
Gear Transfer
Pre-swim Briefing
There will be a pre-swim briefing on the beach @ 8.15 am to explain the course and any event specifics.
Start Categories
We have separated category starts to ensure we limit the number of competitors in close proximity. The first wave commences at 8:30 am and each wave will be exactly 5 minutes apart.
Presentation
There will be a post-race presentation with complimentary sausage and entertainment.
Course Maps
Reviews
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