WINTER SWIMMING

Everyone loves swimming in summer, but we believe that the thrill of the cooler water makes winter swimming even more appealing! During the colder months, the water in Port Phillip Bay is often clearer and there are less jellyfish too. There is also a lot of scientific evidence showing a range of health benefits derived from cold water immersion, so you are likely to feel happier, healthier and revitalised!

Making it through the winter takes a consistent approach. There are a multitude of physical and psychological adaptions that take place. If you stick at it, what at first might seem arduous, soon becomes a natural and rewarding experience. Swimming with a group can certainly make the whole experience a lot easier and safer too.

FREE COLD-WATER INFORMATION SESSION - Sunday May 5, Williamstown, 9.30am (booking link below)

If you are keen and curious but not sure where to start, come along to a free session on Saturday the 6th of April at Williamstown beach. All welcome!!

Pictured are Jack Stewart, Nikole Ramsay, Lloyd Gwilym, Kirsty Tweddle and their paddler Murray Joseph - they were successful on July 3, 2021.

THE WINTER RIP SWIM - July 13, 2024

** Maximum field limit of 40 **

Our swim is fully subscribed.

ABOUT THE SWIM

Taking on “The Rip” in winter is a significant challenge. It is a non-wetsuit swim and as such It offers experienced swimmers the chance to gain some real satisfaction by doing something that very few people have ever done.

The water temperature is likely to be about 12 degrees Celsius and you will need to be well-acclimatised to the cold.

How to enter:

Enter with the link at the top of this page. Please make sure you are at the right standard to take on this swim by reading about it and understanding what is required for you to be safe and have an acceptable chance of success. You must also complete a 3km Qualifying swim, which will take place on June the 1st at Williamstown beach

Cost:

  • $590 (early bird till March 7)

  • $690 - from 8th March onward

  • Qualifying swim - $50

What you get:

  • The experience of a lifetime

  • All boat transfers

  • A very experienced water-safety team to keep you safe

  • Quality merchandise only available to swimmers

  • Name on the honour board (only 68 people have ever swum this stretch in winter)

Distance: 3.2km - but you are likely to swim closer to 3.6

Speed: Your speed is an important factor. If you cannot swim 3km in under 66 minutes in flat, non-tidal water, please get in touch to get our advice before entering.

Time: Most swims take from 65 - 85 minutes

Solo: In 2024, everyone will enter as a solo swimmer. If you then wish to swim with others you know who have entered, just do so on the day.

Escort kayaker: If you want to have a dedicated escort kayaker, we will supply one for you and you can share the cost of this with up to 4 people, if you all intend to swim together. The cost of a dedicated paddler is $300 and can be paid for when you enter. Your paddler can only manage 4 of you and you must choose your team carefully to ensure they can stick together.

We will only have 6 dedicated kayakers available. First in, first served. All other swimmers will be managed very thoroughly by our boats and jet skis.

Swimming without a dedicated kayaker: If you do not request a dedicated kayaker, you will be managed by a fleet of rescue craft and this will include IRB’s and Jet Ski’s. You will also receive plenty of advice and guidance on how to navigate your way and be watched very carefully as you cross.

Qualifying to swim: everyone MUST do this.

The qualifying swim will be held on June the 1st at Williamstown beach in Melbourne, from 10am - 12 noon. The cost will be $50. Completing this swim is mandatory. If you cannot get to this swim, you will need to supply evidence of a qualifying swim done elsewhere under guidance and verified by a coach.

Cancelation and refund policy:

If your swim day is cancelled, you will get a chance to swim the following day. You must make yourself available for both days. If that 2nd day is also cancelled, we will move the event to 27/28 July. If you cannot make that date you will receive a 50% refund. In most cases we will be able to let you know about a cancellation 24 hours prior to the swim.

If you are unable to complete the qualifying swim, we will refund you 80% of your entry fee. If you are sick or injured leading into the swim and can supply us with a medical certificate, we will refund you 50% of your entry fee.

Read more FAQ’s here

Previous winter RIP SWIM

Congratulations to 23 swimmers who crossed on 5/8/23.

2 of them had done the winter swim before and are now the first two swimmers to cross twice in winter! Well done Staeve and Jeff.

The Winter Rip crossings:

  1. June 2nd, 2019

  2. July 3, 2021

  3. July 9, 2022

  4. August 5, 2023

    WINTER RIP HONOURS BOARD

  1. Douglas Mew - June 13th, 1971 (69 minutes) Solo - The Pioneer of the swim

  2. Grant Siedle - June 13th, 2016 (59 minutes) Solo

  3. Peter Grose - June 2nd, 2019 (1 hour, 40 minutes)

  4. Sam Bryant - June 2nd, 2019 (1 hour, 40 minutes)

  5. Ria Bleathman - June 2nd, 2019 (1 hour, 45 minutes)

  6. Susan Berg - June 2nd, 2019 (2 hours)

  7. John Philpot - June 2nd, 2019 (2 hours)

  8. Cathy Snowdon - June 2nd, 2019 (2 hours)WINTER RIP SWIM - JULY 3, 2pm

  9. Matthew Annells - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 6 minutes

  10. Simon Jones - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 6 minutes

  11. Michael Urban - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 6 minutes

  12. Tim Koopmans - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 6 minutes

  13. Warrick Steabben - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 51 minutes

  14. Torben Vedelsby - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 51 minutes

  15. Matt Healy - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 51 minutes

  16. Tyson Hofstee - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 51 minutes

  17. Sam Lane - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 51 minutes

  18. James Geer - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 28 minutes

  19. Ross Pollard - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 28 minutes

  20. Ross Quail - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 28 minutes

  21. Simon Myers - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 28 minutes

  22. Kendra Wright - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 28 minutes

  23. Sam Goodwin-Dorning - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 26 minutes

  24. Luke Richards - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 26 minutes

  25. Gary Ullmann - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 26 minutes

  26. Matthew Fisher - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 26 minutes

  27. Charlie Evans - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 26 minutes

  28. Nikole Ramsay - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 36 minutes

  29. John (Jack!)Stewart - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 36 minutes

  30. Kirsty Tweddle - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 36 minutes

  31. Lloyd Gwilym - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 36 minutes

  32. Shien Lo - July 3, 2021 - 2 Hours, 30 minutes

  33. Padraic Murphy - July 3, 2021 - 1 Hour, 35 minutes

  34. Olivia Wawryk - July 9, 2022 - 58 minutes

  35. John Harkness - July 9, 2022 - 58 minutes

  36. Stephen Marshall - July 9, 2022 - 58 minutes

  37. Murray Keeble - July 9, 2022 - 58 minutes

  38. Andrea Schloegl - July 9, 2022 - 57 minutes

  39. Heidi Tucker - July 9, 2022 - 57 minutes

  40. Andrew Fenn - July 9, 2022 - 71 minutes

  41. George Wintle - July 9, 2022 - 91 minutes

  42. Michael Cocksedge - July 9, 2022 - 71 minutes

  43. Alex Afshar - July 9, 2022 - 75 minutes

  44. Jeffrey Challis - July 9, 2022 - 69 minutes - 2 winter crossings! (2022,2023)

  45. Staeven Vallak - July 9, 2022 - 69 minutes - 2 winter crossings! (2022,2023)

  46. Laura Marshall - July 9, 2022 - 69 minutes

  47. Simon Ashford - - July 9, 2022 - 69 minutes

  48. Nicole Dean - August 5, 2023

  49. Nicholas Robertson - August 5, 2023

  50. Jane Ireland - August 5, 2023

  51. Jack Stephens - August 5, 2023

  52. Daniel Millwood - August 5, 2023

  53. Andy Caddy - August 5, 2023

  54. Alan Fitzgerald - August 5, 2023

  55. Marianne Bradley - August 5, 2023

  56. Jodi Helliwell - August 5, 2023

  57. Louise Day - August 5, 2023

  58. Nigel Williams - August 5, 2023

  59. Esther Allen-Howard - August 5, 2023

  60. Veronica van Wyk - August 5, 2023

  61. Wayne Helwig - August 5, 2023

  62. Georgia Lee - August 5, 2023

  63. Jordan Berry - August 5, 2023

  64. Atle Valland - August 5, 2023

  65. Steve Katsonis - August 5, 2023

  66. Kimberley Rea - August 5, 2023

  67. Conan Phillips - August 5, 2023

  68. Marco Guidici - August 5, 2023

Photo courtesy of Tamara Hughes