Gerringong’s annual open water event, the Captain Christie Ocean Swim, is returning this year with an expected 200 swimmers to take on the challenging 1.8km swim.

Coordinator of the event, Mitch Payne, is excited this year as the event, traditionally held in January, has been pushed back to this month.

“The water is normally warmer this time of year and winds are less and seas a bit calmer, so I am looking forward to it,” he says.

Competitors will race out and around the headland from Gerringong Boat Harbour to Werri Beach. 

“It’s a challenging swim with rocks, different currents and swell but we are hoping for good conditions. We’ve got plenty of water safety, so we are open to first time ocean swimmers,” Mitch says.

Despite the difficulty, Mitch says it’s a good, scenic swim with lots of history behind it.

The swim dates back to 1882 when, it’s believed, Captain William Earnest Bartholomew Christie took on his sailor’s challenge to swim the course around the headland for a bottle of whisky.

Since 1982, when it was restarted by Gerroa locals, swimmers relive Christie’s swim every year.

“We have swimmers who have been doing it for over 20 years and they continue to come back every year. People love swimming the Captain Christie because of the history,” says Mitch.

Sunday 19 March, Boat Harbour, Gerringong, 9am. Register online at oceanswims.com for $40 before 18 March or on the day at 7am for $50