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The Event
We are incredibly proud to bring you The Sydney Skinny for a seventh year in 2019. This is not a competition, nor is it timed. Swimmers set off in waves with a flash of exhilaration and the sheer enjoyment of a lovely swim.
Download the Swimmer Information Booklet
When – 17th March 2019
What is the distance – choose between two swim distances: 900m or 300m.
The Sydney Skinny swim is a short 900m swim, around a diamond shaped course in the calm and sheltered waters of Middle Head – Sydney Harbour National Park.
The Novice swim is an even shorter 300m swim, swimming out gently with the main group, but taking an early right hand turn across the course and rejoining the longer course as it returns to shore.
Where – Cobblers Beach, Middle Head, Sydney Harbour National Park, Australia. This wonderfully calm and protected beach faces north-west, hence provides us with idyllic conditions for a lovely swim course.
Age restrictions – All participants must be over 18 years of age to swim Skinny.
Start time – Event site opens at 8am and we’ll be finishing up at 3pm.
Swim time – Swimmers will select the wave they want to swim in, with waves starting at 8.45am.
Privacy – This event is a private, fully ticketed event and we will not allow spectators on the beach. Apart from our Media Waves which are 1&2, this event is entirely media free. We want everyone to feel comfortable and able to focus on the excitement of doing something that you can’t do at just any beach… swim in your skin!
Where will we be clothes free? The only area where people will be clothes free is on the beach. The Festival area is not nude/clothes free – so you and other swimmers will only be bare running from the beach into the water! Also remember, there are only 2 waves with Media present (the first 2 waves of the day), that means there are 11 waves of just you and water! Only participants will be allowed down to the beach.
Volunteer –The Sydney Skinny is seeking volunteers to assist with the 6th annual event on March 17, 2019 at Cobblers Beach, Middle Head. Click here to register your interest.
For more information about The Sydney Skinny go to our FAQs page
Why Participate?
- Reconnect with your sense of adventure.
- Experience a truly joyous, fun and memorable day.
- Strike a blow against destructive body pressure and practice greater self acceptance.
- Be a part of one of the world’s unique and iconic events in beautiful Sydney.
- As the shortest, flattest and easiest swim on the calendar it is the perfect ‘starter swim’ introduction to the world of ocean swimming.
- Support our new partner, The Charlie Teo Foundation, funding brain cancer reasearch.
Entry Information
The Sydney Skinny is a ticketed swim, however the festival area (clothed) is open to everyone. All people on the beach will be there to participate in swim and be a part of the excitement of the swim – there is strictly no spectators.
As with previous years, we will have restricted access, to the beach, for media and photographers to capture some of the fun and excitement of the swim. In 2019, waves 1 & 2 will be open to media and photographers ONLY. After the completion of the 2nd wave, ALL media and photographers will be escorted from the beach, with the help of our protective Abacus Security team. Meaning all swimmers from wave 3 onwards will be comfortable knowing that everyone down on the beach will be baring all too!
- The Sydney Skinny – $45 including booking fee.
- Supporters – everyone is welcome into the Festival area for free, which has various different stalls, food and activities for Sydney Skinny supporters to enjoy.
Supporters will not be permitted to access the beach, only the swimmers will be able to go to the beach. If a supporter changes their mind and wants to swim on the day the entry fee is $60 cash.
How to enter – go to the entries section of the website where you can register securely online for all swimmers. For any technical issues, please contact [email protected].
Donating – Anyone can become a fundraiser and start asking their family or friends to donate funds. More information coming soon.
Swim Course Map
Are you ready to get your Skinny swim on?
“Admittedly I was way out of my comfort zone, however, what an experience! It was exhilarating, empowering and an incredibly happy experience” NM
“Many shapes and sizes. A vast array of swimming ability. A plethora of reasons for being there. And one outcome – exhilaration!” PG
“I loved the real community feeling of this fun event. What a great way to enjoy our harbour – with a twist”. WH
“I just didn’t think I could do it and now I want to do it again! It was really a very joyful and empowering experience”. EM
“The Swim that refreshes the parts that other swims cannot reach” LC
“As a first timer last year, I was a little nervous, but the sheer joy and innocence of the occasion took over almost immediately. It was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done.” JF
“The only event I can participate in with the word ‘skinny’ in it” DF
“A liberating and refreshing start to a Sunday morning and lots of fun. Made me feel young again!!!” LK