Countdown to event

Sunday 1st March 2026
The date is set for the this season's WOW at the iconic Williamstown Beach.
1.2km | 2.5km | 5km SWIMS
Unfortunately, we are unable to run the 10km swim this year :-(
The Williamstown Open Water Swim– The "WOW” is for everyone – champions, weekend warriors, kids, fast, slow, young and old!
Register before midnight Sunday February 1 to receive a complimentary T shirt
This T Shirt is only available for Early Bird entries.

The WOW is swum at Williamstown Beach on our 1.2km and 2.5km courses. This year on the 2.5km course we have a beach start and you will swim in an anti-clockwise direction. Your first turn will take you around the Rock Groyne and over The Crystal Pool (aka "The Crystals"), a much loved local diving and snorkelling site. A left turn close to the boat harbour takes you out into deeper water and after another left turn, you’ll head East onto the legendary WOW Back Straight. With a final left turn, swimmers head back to the beach area, to your well-deserved feeding station or finish arch on the sand.
| Event | Details |
| 1.2km from 8:30 am | Order: Male, Female, Junior; Mass starts |
| 5km from 9:00 am | Mixed Gender, all age groups; Rolling starts |
| 2.5km from 10:00 am | Mixed Gender, all age groups; Rolling starts |
NB. Weather conditions may see the course reversed back into a clockwise direction. We want you to have any wind behind you on the back straight.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for our Suspension & Cancellation Policy
The event is conducted by the historic Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club. Swimmers of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to choose from a range of swim distances.
The WOW is a highly anticipated Great Victorian Swim Series event has proudly raised funds for not-for-profit organisations each year.
Swimmers who register before midnight 1st February 2026 will receive a complimentary event t-shirt.
All swimmers may choose to swim in a wetsuit.
No additional buoyancy aids such as pull buoys, hand paddles or fins are permitted.

Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
1.2km WOW Challenge
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Register for 1.2km WOW Challenge$70.00Dec 1 - Mar 1
2.5km WOW Challenge
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Register for 2.5km WOW Challenge$80.00Dec 1 - Mar 1
1.2km & 2.5km WOW Challenge
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Register for 1.2km & 2.5km WOW Challenge$120.00Dec 1 - Mar 1
5km WOW Challenge
WOW Challenge 5km (2 laps of 2.5km course)
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Register for 5km WOW Challenge$90.00Dec 1 - Mar 1
SUSPENSION & CANCELLATION POLICY
2026 WOW CHALLENGE
run by
WILLIAMSTOWN SWIMMING & LIFE SAVING CLUB
SUSPENSION & CANCELLATION POLICY
WILLIAMSTOWN BEACH
MARCH 1
FALL BACK DATE | TBA
SUSPENSION OF THE EVENT
The Williamstown Open Water Competition Committee (WOWCC) will direct all matters relating to the conduct of the actual competition. The WOWCC may, subject to the rules of the event, postpone, cancel, or alter any part of the event. The Committee may establish sub-committees when and as required to deal with specific issues on the day.
WEATHER FORECASTING & REPORTS
Weather forecasts will be used by the WOWCC to assist in decision making. Forecasts will be referenced against the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website. Should changes in the weather develop, more regular bulletins and information will be provided, depending on the situation. In the event of a severe/extreme weather report from the BOM, the WOWCC may make the decision to suspend or postpone the competition.
Weather reports will be considered as part of any risk assessment and monitoring should commence approximately one week prior to the start of the Event.
The aim of the WOWCC is to ensure appropriate facilities, personnel, resources and procedures are in place to manage the progress of the event and manage any emergency that may occur during the event.
Weather Thresholds for Cancellation
Weather Event | Minimum Threshold | Responsible Authority |
Wind | Winds in excess of 18 knots (Southerly winds) or 22 knots per hour (Northerly winds) within the event area | Race Director upon advice from SEMC/WOWCC |
Rain | Intensity of rainfall affecting:
| Race Director upon advice from SEMC/WOWCC |
Severe Weather | Presence of thunder/lightning within the event area at any point prior or during the Event, or; Issue of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Likely) for the vicinity of the event area, with the potentiality to occur within the 3 hours prior to the beginning of the Event and/or during the event
| Race Director upon advice from SEMC/WOWCC |
Surf Conditions | Wave heights in excess of 1.5 metres within event area | Race Director upon advice from SEMC/WOWCC |
Water Quality | Rating of ‘Poor’ water quality by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Race Director upon advice from SEMC/WOWCC |
SUSPENSION OF THE EVENT
A full profile of the Event’s risk management plan is available on request. This plan identifies and outlines specific scenarios that are known to organizers prior to the event and addresses the respective management controls and course of action.
Regular risk assessments will be conducted prior to and on the day of the event and will primarily focus on the weather, sea state and water conditions and will consider all factors that have potential to impact the event.
From previous events conducted and the experience of members involved in preparation for the event, the following conditions have been identified as specific risks that may affect the safety of the swimmers, officials, volunteers and water safety personnel involved event:
- Poor weather conditions (wind and rain)
- Visibility (fog and heavy rain)
- Lightening
- Sea conditions (large swell or dangerous waves)
- Water quality (contamination)
- Water temperature (below 13 degrees Celsius)
- Air temperature (sun/heat and cold)
- Potential Injuries caused by sea creatures (jellyfish porcupine fish and sharks)
The Safety & Emergency Management Coordinator &/or the Water Safety Co-ordinator or their nominated delegate shall undertake an risk assessment of the conditions utilising the Surf Lifesaving Surf Hazard Rating Assessment Tool; this will occur prior to the competition. A risk assessment will be made every two to three hours to determine safety or more frequently if conditions change. If the assessment of risk exceeds the predetermined level of tolerances, it shall be reported to the Safety and Emergency Management Committee| SMEC, which will convene and assess the risk.
The following table outlines the various roles that have delegation to suspend competition for safety reasons:
Role | Level of Authority | Scope of Authority |
Williamstown Open Water Event Competition Committee (WOWCC) &/or Race Director | Initiate Contingency Plan Cancellation | Event |
Safety & Emergency Management Committee | Suspend | Event |
Safety Coordinator | Suspend | Event |
Water Safety Coordinator when acting as delegate | Suspend | Event |
BEFORE SUSPENSION OF THE EVENT
The SEMC in conjunction with the Water Safety Coordinator is empowered to take immediate action which may be as follows:
- Additional safety measures, e.g. increase the number of water safety personnel on the water, clearing the beach.
- Taking preventative action, e.g. modifying the course prior to commencement of the race, or changing direction of the race.
- Removing a competitor from the event, e.g. causing others harm in the water or swimming to the point where they cause themselves harm See Competitor Withdrawal – Medical Grounds
SUSPENSION OF THE EVENT
The WOWCC, the SEMC in conjunction with the Water Safety Coordinator will suspend the event in the following situations:
- A delayed start time to allow the conditions to change.
- If the course has to be modified to suit the weather conditions.
- If the course has to be modified during the race the event will be suspended until the course can be modified.
- Lightening occurs in the immediate weather zone area.
- Swimmers will be notified and removed from the water if necessary. e.g. lightning.
The event will commence again when the risk has been removed or reduced to an acceptable level or satisfactorily mitigated.
CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT
Once the event is suspended if the risk conditions to all participants do not abate or cannot be mitigated the event will be cancelled. Before the decision to cancel is made the Williamstown Open Water Competition Committee will consult with the Safety & Emergency Management Committee and seek advice from appropriate officials and other experienced personnel on local weather, water conditions and safety issues, to discuss the situation and inform the agreement to cancel the event.
ALTERNATIVE VENUE/S
Due to the unique attraction and location of this event, there are no alternative venues for the OPEN WATER SWIM Event. Permits have been obtained for a “fall back date” should the event not be able to run.
COMPETITOR WITHDRAWAL | MEDICAL GROUNDS If the water personnel believe a swimmer(s) is struggling they must notify the Water Safety Coordinator. The Water Safety Coordinator will contact both the Safety & Emergency Management Co-Ordinator and the Medical Coordinator for further assessment of the swimmer.
If the Medical Coordinator believes that a competitor is at risk of harm to themselves by participating or continuing to swim in the race, the Medical Co-Ordinator has the responsibility and authority under the entry conditions of the swim to remove the competitor from the race. The athlete will immediately receive first-aid and be transported to the First Aid room for further observation assessment and treatment. If the medical response team deems it necessary, an ambulance will be called for transportation to hospital.
Contact information
- Event contact
- Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club
- Phone
- 0448 581 306
- Website
- Visit website