Bondi Bluewater Challenge Postponed

By Bondi Bluewater on April 15, 2011 in Sport

The forecast of dangerous surf conditions on Sunday, April 17, has caused the postponement of the Beach Road Hotel Bondi Bluewater Challenge ocean swim.

The events, one-kilometre and 2.1km, races which were to be the last races of the season’s Olympus Tough Fine Series, have been rescheduled for Sunday, May 22.

With heavy seas and a swell of more than two metres predicted on Sunday, event host Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club (BSBLSC), and the organiser, Ocean Swims NSW, today considered the safety of swimmers a priority and made the decision it was best to postpone it.

Similar dangerous surf conditions were experienced on Anzac Day last year when organisers, on instructions from Waverley Council lifeguards, were forced to call off the competition while the first of the two races, the one-kilometre swim, was in progress.

Several of the competing swimmers last year had to be rescued by lifesavers and lifeguards when they got into difficulties in rips and a developing strong swell in choppy surf. The lifeguards have the final say over volunteer lifesavers on the safety of surfers at Bondi Beach.

For more information, log on to www.bondibluewater.com or www.oceanswims.com or call the Bondi SBLSC office on 9300 9279.