Latest News
A message from the organisers
Dear Swimmers,
First of all we would like to say thank you to all the swimmers who entered the TamaCloey ocean swim this year. We've had many enquiries and comments after what certainly was an eventful race with many challenges presented for the swimmers, volunteers and organisers. We'd particularly like to thank those people who have posted constructive comments on the Oceanswims blog. The TamaCloey swim is only in its 3rd year and we are still learning how to best run our swim with the limitations that both beaches pose. We hope to take on board your comments and our learnings to continue to develop an oceanswim that can become a favourite on the oceanswim calendar. Decision to hold the event The decision to hold this year's start at Tamarama was not taken lightly. After consultation with the council lifeguards, and with the swell predicted to drop considerably over night we decided to keep Tamarama as the start location. Tamarama is a volatile beach, and this is part of its allure. There are plenty of beaches that are safer and no doubt easier to hold ocean swims at, however as we saw on Monday, this unpredictability can make for a true odyssey and we were happy that those swimmers who swam were able to experience this. Delays at the Start The start location was dictated by the conditions. There was a wide, sustained rip across the bay dragging south towards the rock gaps (The Twins). Locating the start line at the northern end of the beach ensured we had maximum distance between swimmers entering the water and this treacherous southern end of the beach. Our water safety plan had to prevent anyone from getting close to the middle of the bay. The longer than planned gaps between waves were to maintain water safety - because of the surf size we had to ensure the previous group safely negotiated the break before sending the next. We apologize to all who were held on the beach for an extended period. Last year it was flatter and we were able to send the waves off at a quicker rate. The Starting Wave System The starting wave system is first and foremost a safety device. If we had large age group waves we would not have been able to hold the event in such conditions. Grouping people according to ability ensured that we were able to monitor how swimmers were coping with the conditions. It is unfortunate that we have been labelled 'elitist' as our biggest concern is safety and the skill-based waves is a large part of how we manage it. The wave system also ensures swimmer enjoyment - with small groups of swimmers ordered by speed two things happen - you're less likely to be swum over by people in subsequent waves, and swimming with people of similar ability allows for some great races within the race. We source our data for wave allocation from http://www.oceanswimseries.com/ and have 7 years worth, or several hundred swims, in our database, so our level of success for regular ocean swimmers is quite good. We are very sorry for any wrong allocations and we will revise the possibility of giving people the ability to provide their own swim times to ensure they are allocated the correct wave. Waves 7-9 and 17-19 were left open for late entries in order to keep the integrity of the matching system, so that swimmers can be slotted into waves that better suited their abilities. At the end of the day, the wave system allowed us to run much of the event in very challenging conditions, without jeopardising the safety of the swimmers or our water safety crews. There is little doubt in my mind that a riskier approach would have gotten people into the water quicker, but that is of little concern when weighed up against the value of a human life. In the end we would prefer a million emails complaining about having to wait to start a race than a single drowning. Decision to Stop the Race The race was halted after 3 sightings of a shark by IRB water safety. However, being unable to track the shark given the murkiness of the water, it was our duty of care to cancel the remainder of the race. This was agreed by all water safety parties including Surf Lifesaving and Council Lifeguards as the best approach. Other comments of note 1. Staggering of registrations. This is a good idea and one that we will definitely consider for the future races when surf conditions are similar. 2. Entry fees. This event is not a huge money-spinner for us and in fact it’s one of the cheaper ocean swims in the calendar. Money raised in excess of costs (which are all incurred prior to the race) goes to the clubs to support their volunteer lifesaving activities. However, as we did with our cancellation of the first year’s race, we will again offer a 50% discount to swimmers who were unable to swim for next year’s event. 3. Buses to the finish. Next year we will ensure that we keep one of the larger buses around in the unfortunate event that we need to ferry swimmers around from Tamarama to the finish line. And the winner is... Paul Lemmon. Congratulations Paul. Apologies for the confusion in the first draft of the results. The person we originally thought had won the race started in the incorrect wave making his time seem quicker than it was. Congratulations too to Luane Rowe, the first female swimmer over the line. Awesome times both of you in the tough conditions. Full results here. We look forward to welcoming you to our beaches again next Easter. Tamarama to Clovelly Cliffside Odyssey Committee
Course Update, Challenging Conditions
This years course is expected to be especially challenging due to predicted large seas and a head wind. Depending on conditions on the morning of the race, the start may be from either Tamarama or Bronte beaches, and the finish may be at either of Clovelly or Gordon's Bay. Swimmers who are not competing for prizes are encouraged to wear wetsuits and/or flippers in order to complete the course.
Your safety is our primary concern. If we do not feel that you can complete the course, you will be asked not to swim. If in doubt bring fins and/or a wetsuit, or sit it out and enjoy the show this year. Registrations will kick off from Tamarama at 8:30 and will continue until 10:30. The race starts at 11am. Buses start leaving Clovelly at 8:45 and continue through to 10:30. There are late registrations available at $45, however we are limiting these to 300 on the day, so get in early.
Dash 4 Cash 2009 Video
Some video footage of the dash for cash last year to get you pumped up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn2TNyOCgBY
Nearly there!
By now you'll be enjoying the tapering (ie eating chocolate) part of the training cycle. Just a quick note to say check your mobile phones tomorrow. We'll be sending out an SMS with details of your wave colour to let you know which check-in desk you need to go to to collect your cap and chip. The details will also be posted on this site, with a link from the front page, and there will be lots of printed copies floating around on the beach on Monday for those of you enjoying a technology free Easter weekend.
Happy Easter and see you on Monday!
One week to go... Register Now!
This time next week you'll all be relaxing after the swim at Clovelly clubhouse enjoying the BBQ over a drink in the bar. Not long to go!
How does the wave system work? Most swims send people off the beach in waves of up to about 200 people, grouped by age, or sometimes age and sex. The TamaCloey does it a bit differently. 200 people starting the race at one time from our little beach would cause carnage... so for the safety we have waves of up to 40 people. Swimmers are ranked using their previous swimming history (if you've swum in at least one ocean swim in the last three years we have your time!), and sent off the beach in groups of about 40 people from fastest to slowest. This makes it much safer at the start and the finish, avoiding a surge of people through the Clovelly Heads, and should make the swim more enjoyable as you won't be swum over by faster people in later groups, and more competitive as you'll be swimming with people of your ability the whole way around the course. Waves will go 30 seconds to 3 minutes apart, so listen out for announcements to make sure you're ready to start at the right time. There are three waves to each cap colour so take a note of the number on your cap (1, 2 or 3) and make sure you start in the correct wave. The running order will be posted on the website nearer the time and on the beach on the day. Register Now! To make the most of the wave system you need to pre-register so we can find your swimming history on the database and allocate you to the correct wave. And of course pre-registering is $15 cheaper than late entries on the day. What if I do want to enter on the day? Late entries are limited, we had to turn people away last year. They also cost $45, and you will swim in three waves of fast, medium, and slow, interspersed between the seeded pre-registered waves. Register Now. Click here!
Free Training Session, This Saturday!
Legendary ocean swimmer and coach Spot Anderson of Bondi Fit is kindly giving a free surf swimming training session to registered swimmers to share hints and tips.
Details: When: 9:30am, This Saturday, 27 March Where: Tamarama Beach. Meet outside the surf club Cost: Free to registered swimmers. $15 otherwise.
Official Sunscreen Supplier: Banana Boat
 Banana Boat are kindly supplying sunscreen for competitors. There will be a table near the registration desks with sunscreen pumps for competitors to help themselves, and there will be sample sachets of their Dry Touch Sport sunscreen. Protect yourself and keep the sunburn away during the 2.5km Odyssey!
Kelloggs Nutri-Grain comes On-Board
 A massive thanks to Kelloggs Nutri-Grain for sponsoring this years event. Kelloggs have been a long time supporter of Surf life Saving events. Just in case you don't have any chocolate Easter eggs left over for breakfast on the morning of the Odyssey, make sure you have a packet of Nutri-Grain in the cupboard.
Prize Sponsor: Bondi Gym
 Bondi Gym have supplied us with 6 transferrable 12 month gym memberships which will be raffled at the swim. Based at Bondi Junction they are more than just a fitness centre, but a destination spot packed with character, community spirit and athletes ranging from novice to World Champions. Bondi Gym is the place where people meet, get together, hang out, exchange and have a sense of belonging.
Prize Sponsor: Between the Flags
 Between the Flags have kindly supplied $100 gift vouchers for 20 lucky winners. Since 1994 Between the Flags has been supplying authentic Australian beach and lifestyle apparel for men, women and children. Between the Flags stores are located in popular holiday destinations around Australia including 7 stores in the Sydney metropolitan area.
Fast as Tuna?
 These magnificent fish clock up to 70 km/h! But time and tuna are running out... The hottest selling seafood item in Australia is canned tuna. In supermarkets there is little information available about what tuna species is in the can and how it was caught. Supermarkets are playing a key role in the overfishing crisis by selling us tuna caught using destructive fishing methods. Even the ‘dolphin friendly’ label doesn’t provide protection against the common and wasteful catch of endangered sharks, turtles and juvenile tuna.  Greenpeace's tuna ranking exposes the supermarkets using destructing fishing methods or selling us overfished species. So check out the tuna can before the checkout. Ask supermarkets to end their role in the sale of overfished species by removing the worst brands from their shelves. Urge your supermarket to take action before the Kobe International Tuna Commission meeting held in Brisbane this June. For more information visit Greenpeace's site here.
Major Sponsor: Vorgee
 Vorgee is a great supporter of ocean swims up and down the coast and we are grateful to them for providing us with caps for the TamaCloey. Vorgee is for people who are young at heart, active, vital, fitness and leisure oriented – and, of course, who love all things aquatic. You love being in and around the water, be it a swimming pool or the ocean. You love the feeling of water on your skin and the warmth of the sun on your back. Whether you’re a kid enjoying the water for the first time, or an adult competing under pressure at the highest level, there is a Vorgee product to suit you. Our extensive range of swimming goggles, caps, swimwear and training equipment has been designed with you in mind. Our gear is about style, quality and great performance. If you're into all things aquatic then get into Vorgee. Vorgee is a 100% Australian owned company and our products are available at leading Aquatic Centres, Amart All Sports and Sport Specialist Retailers.
Major Sponsor: Servcorp
 We are delighted to announce that Servcorp have agreed to be a major sponsor of this year's swim. They are a great supporter of Tamarama SLSC sponsoring both the club and previous TamaCloey swims. Servcorp has serviced office suites throughout Sydney as well as nationally and internationally, and has a number of virtual office solutions. Check out their website for more information.
Australian Gourmet Meats
 We don't use just any old meat on the barbie at the end of the TamaCloey, but only the best from Australian Gourmet Meats. AG Meats are local butchers with strong community involvement, being sponsors of Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club. Pay them a visit and select your meat from their unique walk-in coolroom. They have stores in Waverley and Botany, and soon at Danks Street.
Bondi Fit offers Free Surf Swimming Session at Tamarama
 Spot Anderson is well known on the ocean swimming scene and Bondi Fit has trained many successful ocean swimmers. We are pleased to announce that Spot and his team will be running a surf swim session at Tamarama Beach to prepare swimmers for the race. Free to pre-registered swimmers. More details to follow. In the mean time Bondi Fit have a variety of swim training options on the beach at Bondi or in the pool at the Icebergs or Ian Thorpe Pool to get you ready for the race, as well as cycling and running groups. Pricing and further details on their website.
Pacific Swims to sponsor random draw prizes
 There are few spots in the world nicer to swim at than Tamarama and Clovelly, but two places might just scrape past, especially during the Australian Winter: Fiji and Vanuatu. We are delighted to announce that Pacific Swims are sponsoring the TamaCloey and will be donating random draw prizes. One lucky swimmer will win a trip to Vanuatu to take part in the 3.2km ocean swim at Port Vila on June 12th and the 2.6km Esprito Santo swim from Lunganville to Aore Resort on June 15th. Another lucky swimmer will win a trip to Fiji for the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival at the end of October, staying at the Plantation Island Resort and travelling on Air Pacific. Both prizes include return flights, transfers, hotel and entry to the swim. The winner is to pay airport taxes/charges. The winners will be announced shortly after the swim at the prize-giving ceremony upstairs at Clovelly Surf Club. You have to be present to claim your prize - if not it will be redrawn and awarded to someone else! If you're not one of the two lucky swimmers but still want to take part in the Fiji or Vanuatu swims, then Pacific Swims have some great packages available.
The Odyssey!
The TamaCloey swim committee had a very productive meeting on Wednesday night where we decided that such an epic swim needed an appropriately epic tag line, and so we present...
 Odyssey noun: 1. Greek epic poem, attributed to Homer (c. 800 BC), describing the ten-year homeward wanderings of Odysseus after the fall of Troy. 2. Any long eventful journey. Collins Australian Dictionary On a more serious note, we also finalised the sponsorship offerings document, so stay tuned for details of new sponsors for 2010. If you or your business would like to be associated with the swim, please contact the race director: racedirector@t2cswim.com.
11 weeks to go...
Welcome to the updated site for the TamaCloey swim. The date has been set for Easter Monday and the organising team are working hard securing sponsorship, working on logistics and putting everything together to get the swim ready and it looks set to be a great event. We'll update this news section regularly so remember to check back between now and Easter Monday.
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