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Bondi Splash N Dash
Sat, 24 Nov 2018
The Bondi Splash N Dash is one of the newest, and kookiest, events on the ocean swimming calendar.
The main event is a run-swim-run, made up of a 1km soft sand run, separated by a 1km ocean swim, and then a 1km run to finish, all on Australia’s most famous beach.
There is also a standalone 1km ocean swim for those not keen on strutting their stuff on the golden sands of Bondi Beach.
This event is the brainchild of local lifeguard and Bondi Rescue star Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid.
It was started to raise funds for local youth charity WAYS – the Waverly Action Youth Services – a local youth outreach centre.
Anyone is welcome to enter, with age groups, teams, and elites all having their own events.
But before it all kicks off, a limited amount of athletes will have a chance to compete for a $250 prize in the duck dash.
What on earth is a duck dash, you ask? Read on.
Swim courses
The duck dash is one of the most fun events you’ll ever see.
Participants start in front of the iconic Bondi Pavilion at the heart of the beach.
Wearing flippers, they must run to the transition point at North Bondi where they need to blow up their own inflatable duck.
When it’s inflated, participants have to race their duck out around a buoy before coming back into shore.
When they cross the finish line, participants must have their flippers on and duck intact.
The 1km ocean swim is not your standard affair, this version follows a ‘M’ shaped course, which fits in with the theme of the day, and is also a favourite of the lifeguards for their pre-season testing.
When we get to the main event, participants in the age groups and teams divisions will kick off each race is a 1km run, starting from the corner at South Bondi and finishing at North.
When they get to the North corner, they’ll hit the water.
They’ll swim out to a buoy near Ben Buckler Point, before making a right-hand turn towards the south.
When participants get to a buoy just off the Bondi Icebergs, they’ll take another right hand turn towards shore.
Finally, there’ll be another 1km run on the beautiful Bondi before crossing the line at North Bondi.
The only difference between the elite division and the others is that the elites will start off with a 2km run, and the top three places will split a prize purse of $4000.
The duck dash
Be a part of this hilarious novelty race, guaranteed to have participants in stitches! It’s designed to be as entertaining and enjoyable for spectators as it will be for entrants. Every participant gets a free inflatable duck, set of flippers and 1st Male and Female will each receive a cash prize!
1km ocean swim
The 1km ocean swim is conducted around an ‘M’ shaped course. You’ll swim out through the surf to the first turning buoy, before heading back to the beach and running up around a turning marker on the sand, you’ll then head off again out through the surf to the second turning buoy situated slightly to the south of the first, before retuning to the beach and finish.
Splash ‘N’ Dash
Whatever your ability, whatever your age, this is your chance to make your mark on our country’s most famous stretch of sand. The run-swim-run is as suitable for newcomers as it is for seasoned athletes.
While you’re there
After participants have swum and ran their hearts out, they’ll be treated to a bit of an after party at the North Bondi RSL Club.
The team at Splash n’ Dash have partnered with the RSL Club to hold the presentation, and then a celebration of the event with beers, a band, and some of the best views Bondi has to offer.
All profits from this event will go to WAYS.
Travel and parking
Parking at Bondi is notoriously painful. There is beach parking along Elizabeth Drive and behind the Pavillon, 2-hours parking within a couple of blocks of the beach, and free parking lightyears from the beach (but the walk to the beach will be a good warm up).
The buses to Bondi are the 308, 381, 333. The 389 also comes to Bondi, but you’ll need to get off on Hall Street or at the North Bondi terminal and walk.
If the weather is looking great, get there early as it’ll be heaving.
