Husky Hop Ocean Swims

The turquoise depth beneath you shifts as you glide over the sandy basin of Jervis Bay, a drowned river valley that took its current form 15,000 years ago when rising sea levels flooded the landscape. As you navigate the mid-distance stretch, you are swimming through what local Aboriginal inhabitants have known for at least 20,000 years as 'Booderee', or the 'bay of plenty'. The water here is remarkably still, yet researchers point to geological evidence in these very depths suggesting the region was hit by multiple giant tsunamis long before European arrival, a reminder of the raw forces that sculpted this coastline.

The history in the bay

As you near the finish, your path may take you past the maritime heritage of the area. Huskisson takes its name from William Huskisson, the British statesman who, in an ironic twist of fate, became the first person in history to be killed by a railway train in 1830. Today, the town preserves the MV Lady Denman, a 1912 double-ended timber ferry that once shuttled passengers across Sydney Harbour, now resting as a static monument to a bygone era of transport. Further out toward the northern headland of Beecroft Peninsula, swimmers pass the waters near the Point Perpendicular bombing range, a stark contrast to the tranquil bay used by the Royal Australian Navy for decades.

Race day logistics

Organized by Elite Energy, the Husky Hop Ocean Swims offer four distinct challenges on March 29, 2026. The 5.5km endurance route from Vincentia Sailing Club and the 3km swim from Collingwood Beach provide the most significant exposure to the bay's open stretches. For those seeking a shorter distance, the 1km course starts at Moona Moona Beach, while the 500m dash begins at Shark Net Beach. This event series is a key part of the regional calendar, sharing the coastal spirit with nearby gatherings like the Tilbury Classic, which takes place just a week later. The point-to-point nature of these swims ensures a natural flow toward the finish at Huskisson Beach, focusing entirely on the rhythmic movement through one of the most significant drowned river valleys in New South Wales.