Great Southern Swim Ratified by Marathon Swimming Australia

 On 21 February, Greg Gibson and Sharon Crisafi completed the inaugural swim from Stanwell Park to Wollongong (Belmore Basin), marking the first successful swim of this course under Marathon Swimming Australia (MSA) rules.

Starting at 7:05am, the Great Southern Swim followed a spectacular but exposed stretch of coastline, known for its changing conditions, open ocean swells and rugged beauty. The route links the dramatic cliffs of Stanwell Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge with the historic harbour at Belmore Basin, creating a challenging and visually striking addition to Australia’s growing catalogue of marathon swims.

The inaugural attempt was supported by a small team and tracked live, allowing the broader swimming community to follow the journey in real time as conditions evolved throughout the day. Reports from the swim noted variable ocean conditions, with slight winds and swell adding to the challenge of this coastal swim.

With its successful completion, the Great Southern Swim now becomes a recognised MSA marathon swim route, open to future swimmers seeking a new test along one of New South Wales’ most iconic coastal corridors.

This ratification reinforces MSA’s commitment to documenting and recognising significant Australian marathon swims, while continuing to expand the diversity of courses available to the community.

The swim has been recorded in the Australian Long Swims Database, ensuring it forms part of the official historical record of marathon swimming in Australia.

For swimmers interested in learning more about the Great Southern Swim, including route details, conditions and future attempts, please contact Greg Gibson, Sharon Crisafi or Lawrence Stubbs on 0416 126 586.