Rip View Swim Classic

The Rip View Swim Classic is an open water swim that occurs annually in Point Lonsdale down on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In 2015 we included the 3.8km course from Santa Casa Queenscliff to diversify and offer a triathlon swim distance.

In 2020 we introduced two 0.6km Groyne2Groyne events to provide a greater offering for recreational swimmers. One of which is a “legends” handicap* race, which Sam Sheppard became the first legend to race our 10-15 year old participants*.

Our open water swim has a unique stretched layout following the curve of Lonsdale Bay inside the heads of Port Phillip bay.

Over 1000 competitors take part in this major event every year including some of the big names in open water swimming. Come and experience the fun of the Rip View Swim Classic some time!

History of the Swim

The Swim is now in its 32nd year.

It all started in the 1980’s when a group of surf club members and friends went for an early swim each day at the front beach, swimming from the Springs beach to the front beach, a distance of 1.4 km.  They were keen and competitive. They even had caps made and named themselves the Gruesome Groyne Gropers Group.

Barry Eastoe was President of the Club in the early 1990’s. He had the drive and vision to recognise the huge potential of a competitive open water swim at Point Lonsdale.  A superb open water swimmer himself, he was a keen competitor winning many major events at all levels.  He was the first member of the Club to swim the Rip in 1990.

He took it upon himself to determine the format of the Swim, the organisational details and fundraising opportunities.  He promoted the event widely, contacting many swimming clubs throughout the region and in Melbourne, and across all surf life saving clubs.  The first Swim dubbed the “Springs To Swings” Swim attracted about 300 competitors and was deemed very successful.  Over the next few years Barry worked very hard to improve it and attract more open water swimmers.  Eventually it became the Rip View Swim Classic and has continued to attract the elite swimmers in the state.

The Swim entries are now on-line, and competitors receive bags of goodies, complimentary T-shirts, and sponsors treats.  The main street is closed early in the day and tents for traders make for a carnival atmosphere.  In 2004, the Club was awarded the Borough’s Australia Day Community Event.  Numbers often exceed 1,500 swimmers.  The Rip View Swim Classic is now the Club’s major fundraising event.  Due to Barry’s ambition and determination, and of those who have followed him, the Swim is one of the best run, safest and most popular open water swims held during the summer.

The Swim continues to grow with the introduction of a longer distance challenge of 3.8 km.  Many swimmers compete in both swims.  Over the past few years the beach sand has diminished and the finish line has been moved to avoid the rocks. 

2020 arrives a community distance of 0.6km for recreation swimmers and kids who are up and coming into open water swimming.