Bluff to Bar Ocean Swim makes waves in second year with stacked elite field

Stat snapshot

• Second year of Bluff to Bar Ocean Swim
• 65% increase in registrations since 2024
• 400+ swimmers expected across all distances

The Sunshine Coast’s newest ocean swim is back this Saturday October 4th, and it’s already making waves on the national stage.

Now in its second year, the Bluff to Bar Ocean Swim has seen strong growth, drawing hundreds of community swimmers and a star-studded line-up of elite open-water athletes, including Olympian Gold Medalist and Alex Surf Club member Lani Pallister. Along with Hayden Cotter, three time Pier to Pub winner and Australian Sports Hall of Famer.

This year’s elite line-up features some of Australia’s top distance swimmers:

Men: Sam Short, Nick Sloman, Hayden Cotter, Tom Raymond, Henry Simpson

Women: Lani Pallister, Emma Woods, Emily Broun, Zoe Woods and Ella Reynolds

Helen Butler, General Manager of Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club, said the calibre of athletes reflects the event’s rapid rise.

“To have Olympians and national champions diving-in alongside everyday swimmers in just our second year shows the incredible potential of Bluff to Bar,” Butler said.

“It’s a celebration of ocean swimming – elite racing at the front, with hundreds of locals and visitors taking on the challenge behind them. That combination is what makes this event so special.”

The course runs from the iconic Bluff at Alexandra Headland to the main beach, showcasing one of Queensland’s most scenic stretches of coastline.

Registrations have grown from 260 in the inaugural year, with more than 400 swimmers expected across multiple distances this weekend.

“The Sunshine Coast is fast becoming the home of open-water swimming in Australia,” Butler added.

“We’re proud that Bluff to Bar is helping cement that reputation and inspiring the next generation of lifesavers and surf swimmers along the way.”

Event details:

• Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025
• Race times:
  8.00am – Nipper Bash
  8.25am – Friends and Family
  11.30am – Elite Waves
• Course: Alexandra Headland Bluff to Alexandra Headland Beach
• Competitors: 420+ expected
• Website: www.blufftobar.com.au