Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club would like to thank all those individuals who came to Bondi on the Anzac Holiday Monday to compete in the inaugural Bondi Blue Water Challenge. As you know, it was necessary to cut short the 1km swim and to cancel the 2.4km event. The Club officials have met and determined that for a number of reasons it is not feasible to run the event until next season.

Despite the organising team’s best efforts we obviously could not control the weather or the ocean.  Every effort was made to run the swim. On advice of the Waverley Council Lifeguards the course was moved to the North end of the beach.  Delays in moving the course meant that the first waves of swimmers in the 1km event did not leave until 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. At this point organisers were operating on the assumption that it would still be possible to review the 2.4km course and hold that event. Acting on advice from the Council Lifeguards based on the experiences of the first few waves of swimmers, the balance of the 1km swim and also the 2.4km swim were called off at 10.30am. This message was relayed immediately to the clubhouse to inform all 2.4km entrants that their race would have to be abandoned.

The Race Organising Committee took the responsible action of putting safety first. Despite disappointment for all concerned we can rest assured that the correct decision was made on the day. As is the general practice with ocean swims, online entry fees are non-refundable reflecting the significant costs that organizing clubs face in preparing for swim day. Because this was our inaugural swim we have decided, as a one-off gesture of good will to offer a 50% reduction of fees for this year’s late entrants (those who paid on the day and were charged the extra late entry fee levy) in next year’s event. To get this reduction next year you must enter online.

The Club honoured its agreement with CanToo and made a significant donation to CanToo from the online entry fees. All remaining funds after recovery of the expense of hosting the event will go to the Surf Club to support the Club’s volunteer lifesaving activities.

Again we thank you for your support and hope to catch you at the 2^nd Bondi Blue Water Challenge next year.

Andy Winters
President
Bondi Surf Bathers’ Lifesaving Club

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