Yamba Surf
Lifesaving Club
Yamba Ocean Swims
Whether you’re spending the summer in Yamba or lucky enough to call it home, the Yamba Ocean Swims are a highlight of the holiday season. Set against our stunning coastline, the event welcomes swimmers of all abilities, offering both a shorter course suited to those building confidence in the ocean and a longer distance for competitors chasing a more demanding challenge. Subject to tides, the swims are typically held on the first Sunday in January — a fantastic way to start the year in the water.
The Evolution of a Yamba Summer Classic
The annual Yamba Ocean Swim event had its beginnings back in January 1988 when club surf race handicapper, Barrie Cribb, decided to organise a 1km handicap surf race beginning at Convent Beach and finishing at Main Beach. In the inaugural race held in choppy conditions, 45 swimmers faced the starter. By 2002, numbers had grown to 219.Over the years, the swim was well received by participants, and became an annual event held each year between Christmas and New Year. Numbers continued to grow to reach around 400 until in the 2006/7 season, the handicap system was replaced by age groups, and swimmers were offered 2 distances – 700m and/or 2km. The following year a ‘Dash for Cash’ was also added to the program. With the change, Ray Burridge became race organiser, with David Abrahams introducing a computer program to replace the manual results recording.
A Major Fundraiser Powered by Volunteers
Today, the Yamba Ocean Swims Day has become a major fundraiser for the club, organised by Jim & Cathy Dougherty, supported by the club Board and utilising a large and very willing group of club members who fulfil the many tasks and responsibilities that go with staging such a large event.
Manual recording and timing have been replaced by electronic timing, and all entries are now completed online – a big transformation from the handicap system introduced initially nearly 40 years ago!