2026 Big Swim

THE BIG SWIM from Palm Beach to Whale Beach was the pioneer ocean swim event in NSW, which lead to the many fundraising swims now conducted by Lifesaving Club’s. It will be the 52nd Big Swim on Sunday January 25th.

The idea for the event came from the late Bob Lynch, father of Champion Surfer, Barton. It was first held in 1974 with just 48 swimmers and now attracts up to 2000 with people coming for around Australia and overseas. There are 13 age categories, male and female, from 12 years to 70 years+. In 2024, the fastest time was won by a Masters NSW Swimmer, female entrant, Jeanette Britts.

“ The Big SWIM was first to introduced electronic timing with swimmers each wearing an ankle band which is scanned as they start and then cross the finishing line”, explains Claudette Good, the Event Director, “now we can quickly provide results for all categories.”

Water safety, with swimmers in deep water and following rocky Coastline and headland between the two beaches, a distance 2.8 km, is well covered by helicopter surveillance, a flotilla of boards, surf skis, IRB’s and motor launches from the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol.

For those whom may be daunted by the distance, there is a 1km swim along Palm Beach called the Big LITTLE Swim with around 350 entrants

Parking is arranged at the North Avalon Soccer fields with capacity for over 300 cars RFS Traffic Control and free shuttle buses take swimmers and supporters to the start and back after the finish. Entrants are advised to use this as parking is limited at both beaches

Full information and online entries are on www.thebigswim.org.au or oceanswims.com