Coogee Island Challenge
About the race
Coogee Island Challenge (Spring Edition) is one of the highlights of Sydney's ocean swimming calendar and the perfect way to kick off the summer swimming season, with the opportunity to take on the iconic swim around Wedding Cake Island.
Held at Coogee Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, the event offers a spectacular open water experience with distances to suit swimmers of different ages, abilities and experience.
Whether you're a regular ocean swimmer, returning to the water or taking on your first ocean event, you'll be supported by the extensive water safety operation and qualified surf lifesavers of Coogee Surf Life Saving Club.
The course
Swim distances
- 800m Junior Dash: great for younger swimmers.
- 800m Community Swim (new for 2026): for swimmers aged 13+, including first-time ocean swimmers, those returning to the ocean or anyone looking for a shorter challenge.
- 1km Swim: a course within Coogee Bay, 13+.
- 2.4km Island Challenge: the iconic circuit around Wedding Cake Island, for swimmers aged 13+.
The new 800m Community Swim follows the Junior Dash on the same in-bay course, providing an accessible way to experience the atmosphere of the Coogee Island Challenge without taking on the longer distances.
Location
Coogee, NSW, Australia Open in Google Maps
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