U24 Safety Beach to Sorrento (VIC)

The U24 Safety Beach to Sorrento is one of Australia’s emerging ultra-distance open water swims, featuring a ~24km crossing of Port Phillip Bay from Safety Beach to Sorrento. Set within a large but relatively protected bay environment, the swim offers a substantial endurance challenge while removing some of the unpredictability associated with open ocean crossings.

The event has quickly established itself as a cornerstone pathway swim for Australian marathon swimmers, providing a structured and well-supported progression into ultra-distance swimming.

With additional distances and relay formats alongside the flagship 24km, U24 caters to a broad spectrum of participants while maintaining strong performance credibility. Its emphasis on qualification, safety and swimmer readiness ensures that athletes arrive prepared, making it an ideal platform to develop pacing, nutrition and race execution strategies in a controlled but demanding environment.

Approx. Date: February

Registrations Open: Mid–late year

Event Website: https://www.u24.com.au/

Events on Offer: 24km Solo, 12km Solo, 24km Team Relay, and Tandem Options available.

Qualification Requirements (24km swimmers)

• Time Standard: You must complete a ratified 10km open water swim in 4 hours or less. Alternatively, you may qualify with a ratified 5km swim in under 2 hours 15 minutes.

• Validity: The qualifying swim must have been completed within the 12 months prior to registration or before January 31st of the event year.

Key Features:

• ~24km flagship ultra-distance swim

• Additional pathway distances (including ~12km)

• Bay crossing (Port Phillip)

• Paddler-supported format

• Strong emphasis on swimmer readiness and safety

• Event Type: Mass participation event

• Out-of-event swims: Limited and at the organisers’ discretion