FebRUARY 1ST, 2025

(Back up dates are 2, 15, 16 February)

The 3.5km stretch from Point Nepean to Point Lonsdale front beach is the most thrilling open water swim in Australia and you can now swim or race it safely with us. The crossing can be completed in a team of 4, 5 or 6 people of similar speed or in a race!

The race is open to swimmers who can swim 3km in under 54 minutes. It is a non-wetsuit race.

Read more about the race here.

Listen to an overview of swimming in a group below!!

Questions to consider:

1. Will you swim in a team or do the race? (you must be able to swim under 18 minutes per km to do the race)

2. Would you prefer to swim as a team of 4, 5 or 6? (you need to find swimmers that are the same speed)

3. Can your team swim 3km under 70 minutes? This is what we recommend for the best chance of success.

4. Will you wear a wetsuit? The water temperature will be approximately 17/18 degrees Celsius.

5. Do you want a dedicated kayaker to guide you?

6. Are you available to swim on both days? (you need to be available on both the 1st and 2nd of February).

COST & Team limits

Team of two: Early bird - $1242, standard - $1380. (4 only)

Team of 4: Early bird - $2482, standard - $2760. (5 only)

Team of 5: Early bird - $3015, standard - $3375 (6 only)

Team of 6: Early bird - $3530, standard - $3920 (7 only)

HOW TO ENTER

1. Form a team of 4, 5 or 6 or swim in the race.

2. Enter here from the 1st of august.

3. Complete your qualification swim (dates to be advised) to show us you are ready (or supply evidence verified by a coach)

LOGISTICS

On the day of your crossing, you will be taken from the Queenscliff Harbour to the start (deep water near Point Nepean) by boat. From there you will swim to Point Lonsdale, aiming for the front beach near the shops. All other details will be sent to you closer to the time of your swim.

QUALIFYING TO SWIM - Saturday the 9th of November

Complete a 3km swim with your whole team in under 70 minutes. The qualifying swim will be held at Williamstown beach on the 9th of November. If you cannot attend this you must supply evidence of a similar swim to prove you are ready to take ont he crossing. A link to book the qualifying swim will be provided after you enter the event.

WATER TEMPERATURE on a RIP SWIM

The water temperature is about 17 - 18 degrees Celsius for our summer swims and about 11-12 degrees on our winter crossing.

HOW TO PREPARE

Swimming across “The Rip” is different to other swims as you need to do it with a group of swimmers at the same speed. You also need to be able to handle some choppy conditions. You should train consistently leading up to your Rip Swim and be ready for about a 4km swim in rough seas to give yourself the best chance of success.

WETSUITS

You can wear a wetsuit during your crossing if you are worried about being cold. The temperature is likely to be about 17/18 degrees in summer.

No wetsuits are allowed on our winter crossing, where the water will be about 11/12 degrees. This is to honour the original crossing by Douglas Mew in 1971 and to give swimmers an additional challenge.

TIDES EXPLAINED

The tide changes every 6 hours. Given the narrow entrance to Port Phillip, the movement of water both in and out can be very strong. Swimming The Rip is not possible on strong tides and is also very dangerous. The water can flow up to 15km per hour. We pick tides that have the weakest predicted water flows to improve your chance of success. We understand the tides well and have looked carefully at the data. As always, mother nature plays her part, but we can minimise the surprises she has for us!