Portsea Swim Classic 2026- 40th Anniversary Event

The 40th continuous running of the Portsea Swim Classic will be held on 17 January 2026.

The Portsea Swim Classic is an open water swim that takes place in Port Phillip Bay, based at the Jarman Oval in Point Nepean National Park, Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

The races will commence at approximately 1:15 pm with the running of our 2.5 km Gold event.

Registration now open. Online registration closes on Sunday 11th January 2026.

Limited on day registration will be available but will incur an additional $10 administration fee added to the race price.

Additional race information:

Portsea Swim Classic 1500m- a 1,500-metre ocean swim commencing on Fisherman’s beach on the west side of the Portsea pier and finishing at Jarman Oval in the Point Nepean National Park. Restricted to 2000 swimmers.

Portsea Swim Classic Gold 2500m: a 2.5 km swim option that is strictly limited to 350 competitors x 3 races (1050). This race runs as a shot gun start commencing at the bunker to the east of the Portsea Hotel. The course traverses the outside of the pier and meets up with the existing 1.5 km course. There are currently three waves for this part of the event, but this may be altered depending on the number of swimmers that opt to swim this distance: Wave 1- Competitive swim or for those also wanting to compete in the 1.5km race. Additional Waves- For social swimmers.

The Swim Classic Gold is an open division for all swimmers 12 years of age and above at the date of the event.

Portsea Swim Classic TEAM (500m and 1500m)- The team events are run over two distances (500m and 1500m) and are open to all accepted ages and genders. It is for groups of two or more swimmers who would like to compete together in the same event. In this event we do not have places, rather it is designed for swimmers to race with or compete against the other members of their team under the same current conditions. It allows for a team of two or more people of any age or gender.

a/ 1500m is restricted to swimmers 12 years and above.

b/ 500m is open to all ages from 8 and above.

The Portsea Swim Classic Junior (PSCJ) – 500m The PSCJ is an event for children 13 years and under and is designed to the age groups that are covered by the LSV Nipper system to swim in a structured event over a shorter course of 500m. The event is split into Male and Female waves each having two age groups

Portsea Swim Classic Da$h 4 Ca$h - This event is split into a male and female heat that is open to any competitor 18 years and above that is registered for another swimming event on the day. This is a short course sprint with competitors all starting together. It is a winner take all event with the value of the prize determined each year based on sponsorship.

Car Parking: All car parking will be located at Jarman oval inside the Point Nepean National Park at a cost of $5 per vehicle.