About the Ocean Swim

Sunday 21 February 2027Malabar Beach, Sydney

Choose your distance and join us at Malabar Beach to support Rainbow Club Australia and help young people with a disability experience the magic of swimming.

Choose your swim

Compare entry fees, minimum ages and approximate start times below. All swims start and finish at Malabar Beach.

1 km

Ages 10+Approx. 11 am start
Early birdUntil 5 pm, 7 December 2026$40
StandardFrom 5 pm, 7 December 2026 until 5 pm, 19 January 2027$50
Late entryFrom 5 pm, 19 January 2027$60

Our shortest distance, with the same Malabar Magic atmosphere.

2.5 km

Ages 13+Approx. 9 am start
Early birdUntil 5 pm, 7 December 2026$50
StandardFrom 5 pm, 7 December 2026 until 5 pm, 19 January 2027$60
Late entryFrom 5 pm, 19 January 2027$70

Take on one lap of our 2.5 km course in Malabar Bay.

5 km

Ages 13+Approx. 8 am start
Early birdUntil 5 pm, 7 December 2026$70
StandardFrom 5 pm, 7 December 2026 until 5 pm, 19 January 2027$85
Late entryFrom 5 pm, 19 January 2027Unavailable

Two laps of the 2.5 km course. A 150-minute cut-off applies, with the first lap completed within 75 minutes.

Under 18? Save $10 on the listed entry fee for the 1km and 2.5km swims during every pricing period.

Minimum swim ages still apply.

  • Minimum ages are calculated on the day of the swim.
  • Start times are approximate. Rolling start details and final race information will be advised closer to the event.
  • For swimmer safety, the Race Director may prevent a second 5 km lap if the first 2.5 km is not completed within 75 minutes.
  • Race day entries are subject to availability and swimmer safety. Please register online in advance.

Register before race day

Enter as an individual or with a group. If you choose to fundraise, a fundraising page will be created for you to support Rainbow Club Australia.

Online entries close at 5 pm on Friday 19 February 2027.

Go to registration →

When you arrive

  1. Collect your race pack at the park.
  2. Make your way to the beach.
  3. Follow event signs and announcements for your rolling start.

Explore the course

Marker buoys guide each swim, with the start and finish on Malabar Beach. The 5 km swim follows two laps of the 2.5 km course.

View the course map →

Swimmers with a disability

We welcome swimmers with a disability. You can choose whether to identify as a person with a disability when you register.

View disability swim information →

Questions? Email the event team.

Bring your team

Get friends, family or colleagues together to train, swim and fundraise. There is no extra charge for team entries.

How to enter a swim team

The first team member to register should choose a team name and share it with everyone. Each swimmer then enters that exact team name when registering.

Teams can enter all distances in the Open Category. Minimum ages for each distance still apply. Teams may include male and female swimmers, and all team members must finish.

A team time can be organised after the event. There is no Fastest Team Prize.

How to fundraise as a team

If you choose to fundraise, a team fundraising page will be created using your team name. Your fundraising team can include as many people as you like.

Set a shared target, use the fundraising tips and resources provided, and share your progress with friends, family and colleagues.

FAQs

  • Eligibility
    • 1km swim: Swimmers aged 10 years and above who have adequately trained for the event.
      2.5km & 5km swims: Swimmers aged 13 years and above who have adequately trained for the event.

  • Elite Wave Start
    • Only the 5km and 2.5km swim will offer a Elite Wave Start. The first wave into the water will be the Elite Wave. Top-ranked swimmers may elect to participate in the Elite Wave and will not be eligible for age category prizes.

  • Swimming Aids
    • Swimmers may use foreign swim aids such as flippers, snorkels, wetsuits or other flotation devices. However, these entrants will not be eligible for prizes (unless the swimmer has also registered as a swimmer with a disability).

  • Cold Water
    • Wetsuits will be permitted if the water temperature drops below 18 degrees on the morning of the swim.

  • Risk Warning pursuant to Civil Liability Act 2002 (section 5M)
    • The Murray Rose Malabar Ocean Swim takes place in the open ocean and is conducted off Malabar Beach in Malabar Beach. Ocean swims are demanding and potentially dangerous events. Risks of injury or harm may arise in numerous ways, including, but not limited to drowning, natural obstacles, man-made or controlled obstacles, ocean craft, attack by marine animals (i.e. shark, bluebottle etc) and the condition of the ocean and the weather generally (i.e., ocean temperature, storms, lightening, currents or encountering rough water). Participants, enter the Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean Swim at their own risk.

      Participants should have a medical check prior to entering the Murray Rose Malabar Ocean Swim and prepare for the event by training. Water safety craft will patrol the course for the duration of the Ocean Swim. If a participant feels unable to proceed further in the swim, the attention of the water safety personnel should be sought. The Murray Rose Malabar Ocean Swim organisers cannot guarantee your safety. The Murray Rose Malabar Ocean Swim organisers reserve the right to bring to shore by the water patrol any participants which they deem to be incapable of competing further in the Ocean Swim. While in the competition area - including the beach and water environments - participants must follow all directions of Randwick Lifeguards and Murray Rose Malabar Ocean Swim organiser officials and water safety personnel. However, participants must be aware that certain risks, such as attacks by marine animals including sharks or changes in current and ocean conditions, can arise without warning.

       

  • Water bottle filling stations
    • Rainbow Club takes a positive and strong approach with use of plastics. We encourage all participants to be self-reliant and bring your own fluids, water, drinks in your own reusable water bottles. To keep our beaches beautiful and do our bit for the environment. We are trying to eliminate the requirement for single-use plastic water bottles. We will be providing refilling stations on event day, and we encourage all our participants to bring their own bottles or purchase a Malabar Magic water bottle as you register ready for collection on the event day. All proceeds will go towards Rainbow Club Australia to help provide more clubs in areas of great need. Hydration and fruit will be available for all swimmers. We ask you to support or mission and bring your own fluids.

  • Parking and Transportation
    • Please respect the local community in Malabar and do not park across private driveways and please follow all local parking restrictions and controls. Parking is extremely limited, we recommend carpooling or public transport to the swim. The 399 or 390X will take you to Malabar and a short 5-10min walk to the beach. Light Rail or 396 bus run from the CBD. 4P LIMITED Parking is available on Dacre St, Bay Parade, Malabar Ocean Pool Carpark, Malabar Boat Ramp Carpark and Fisherman's Rd. Please check Transport NSW for details close to you.