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Murray Rose Malabar Magic ocean swim
Sun, 17 Feb 2019
The Murray Rose Malabar Magic ocean swim might not be the most notable event on the calendar, but it’s one not to be missed.
Malabar Beach, located on the south side of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, was often overlooked for more famous beaches like Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte, and Bondi, but it’s one you should know about.
Once upon a time, Malabar was one of Sydney’s dirtiest beaches. Today, it rates every bit as clean as Dee Why, according to the annual Beachworth report.
Malabar isn’t as photogenic as its close relatives, but it’s as every bit as special in its own way, and so is the Murray Rose Malabar Magic ocean swim.
It’s an event named after the great Australian Olympian Murray Rose, and all money raised goes towards the Rainbow Club Australia, which provides individualised swimming lessons for disabled children.
The Murray Rose Malabar Magic is one of the later events on the calendar and one to test yourself before autumn kicks in.
Swim courses
The Murray Rose Malabar Magic ocean swim offers two different courses: a 1km course and a 2.4km course.
With the structure of the day, it’s possible to take on both swims and really test yourself over the combined length.
Both the 1km and 2.4km courses follow similar paths.
The 1km course heads out past the break, before turning right at marker buoys, and coming back in to shore.
The 2.4km course is similar: it again heads out past the break, but it takes you all the way out past the headlands before bringing you back in to shore.
Depending on conditions, it can be a rough swim and a bit of a challenge.
1km ocean swim
The 1km course heads out past the tiny break, before turning right at marker buoys, and coming back in to shore.
2.4km ocean swim
The 2.4km course is similar to the 1km: it again heads out past the break, but it takes you all the way out past the headlands before bringing you back in to shore.
While you’re there
Unless you’re knowledgeable on the Botany area, you might not even have known about the suburb, let alone the Murray Rose Malabar Magic ocean swim.
The tiny beach at Malabar is a secluded cove fringe with none of the amenities you’d expect from an eastern suburbs beach like Bondi.
There’s no hotels, no boardwalks, no beachside restaurants, but there’s a cafe in a converted corner store not far from the beach which is worth checking out.
If you’re a golfer, the Randwick Golf Club isn’t far from the beach either, with some holes almost overlooking it.
Take a look, and if the area tickles your fancy, you can spend your next weekend with a swim at Malabar before squeezing 18 holes into your Sunday.
Travel and parking
A parking lot is available off Fishermans Road on the north side of Malabar Beach and street parking is available.
We recommend catch the bus, one of these routes will get you there: 393 394 L94 X94 399 X99.
