FAQs
When is the swim?
Our regular swim is on Sunday mornings at 7am (8am in winter - May to mid Sept).
Where do you meet?
We meet at Beach Access 195 at Mooloolaba Spit (not the main beach), which is just near the boat ramp. If you drive right to the end of Parkyn Parade where it turns right, you are there. We gather under the trees right in front of where the public showers are and are usually easily visible. Look for the green caps. (Check the map below).
Do you swim all year round?
Yes we do.
Do I need a wetsuit?
While some of our members swim year round without a wetsuit, most people tend to wear one between June and September. It is a personal preference depending on how you cope with colder water. The lowest temperature our water gets is about 19 degrees and it is generally coldest in July and August.
Do you swim on any other days?
Members regularly post on the Facebook page if they are doing a swim on another day. You are also able to put up a post asking if anyone else wants to swim with you. You may connect with others on a Sunday swim and arrange to swim together. If you wish to swim in a larger group on other days, you can swim with the Beach Bums who leave from the tower at the main beach at 6.30 on weekdays and 7 on Saturdays.
* * Starting March 2024 we now have a Cruisers Group who swim Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 8am. This is a more leisurely swim and a shorter distance. Please join the group chat if you'd like to swim with the cruisers. You will see the chat on the Facebook page.
Are swims ever cancelled?
Occasionally we do not run our regular swim either due to adverse conditions or if there is another event on in the area that makes access to our swimming spot difficult.
How do you know if a swim is cancelled?
Always check the Facebook page if in doubt, there will be an update if anything has changed.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes, there is plenty of parking although it can be busy during peak holiday times and in summer. It’s a good idea to arrive about 10 mins early.
How far do I need to be able to swim to join the group?
You should be able to swim at least one kilometre to join the group. You do not need to be fast, but you should be confident in the water.
How far is the swim?
Approximately 1.8 km over and back.
How will I know where to swim?
We have a little briefing before the swim starts or you can ask another member to show you. It’s pretty easy straight across and back.
Can you get out half way?
Yes, if you want to. Just let us know you are going in.
What are conditions like across Mooloolaba Bay?
Being a protected area it is generally calm, particularly at the Spit end. However there are days when the swell is big or it is windy which can make it a more challenging swim (generally in summer). Mooloolaba main beach has a shore dump than can extend down towards the Spit on some days. On average though it is a fairly easy swim. As mentioned in an earlier question if conditions are dangerous we will not swim.
Do you provide water safety?
No, we do not. This is a social swimming group and while we make every effort to keep all swimmers safe, if you swim with us, you are doing so at your own risk. It is up to you to bring your own personal flotation device should you wish to do so or your own flippers/fins. It is also up to you to decide if conditions are beyond your ability on any given day.
I’m not confident enough to swim with your group yet so how do I improve to be able to ocean swim?
Even if you only want to swim in the ocean rather than in a pool, the best (and safest) way is to train in a pool. Pool swimming may seem boring by comparison, but it is where you build up fitness and confidence. Swimming several times per week will allow you to build your fitness fairly quickly. You can always join a squad (that caters to all levels) or have some stroke correction lessons if you feel your stroke needs work. A general rule of the thumb is that you need to swim at least twice a week to see any improvement in your fitness, preferably 3-4 times when you are starting out. Check this article for further information.
If you would like some structured sessions to improve your swim fitness check out Get Swimming (www.getswimming.com.au) as they have a Couch to 1k program as well as 10 packs of program sessions you can use to train in the pool.
I’m not sure if I’m ready but would like to have a try at a Sunday swim. Is that OK?
Yes, that’s fine if you let us know. We can have somebody swim with you for your first swim and see how you go
Do you ever have swims just for beginners?
Yes, we do run beginners courses through Get Swimming. This is a paid workshop that provides water safety and is in a small group. For more information and to register your interest see the Beginners Page. Courses run when we have enough interest, so please do register if you'd like to attend one.
Do I have to wear the group swimming cap?
No, you don’t have to, but it is a great way of keeping track of our swimmers out in the water. If you don’t have a group cap but do have a fluro green cap, that is also helpful. Bright colours are much easier to see in open water.
Where can I get a cap?
You can order a cap on the Swim Caps tab or you can get one at a Sunday swim. Caps cost $15.
Where Can I get merchandise?
Merchandise is ordered on a regular basis. There will be a post on the Facebook page when an order is going in. Outside order times you can put in an Expression of Interest form HERE.
Why are there membership questions to join the Facebook page?
Facebook groups are a big target for Spammers and having the membership questions is a line of defence against this. The questions are not personal and take a few seconds to complete. It is also necessary for people to accept the group rules.
Do you have coffee afterwards?
The most important question! Yes, most definitely we do. There are a couple of coffee shops nearby or you can bring your own.
Any other questions?
Click on the message icon below.
Our regular swim is on Sunday mornings at 7am (8am in winter - May to mid Sept).
Where do you meet?
We meet at Beach Access 195 at Mooloolaba Spit (not the main beach), which is just near the boat ramp. If you drive right to the end of Parkyn Parade where it turns right, you are there. We gather under the trees right in front of where the public showers are and are usually easily visible. Look for the green caps. (Check the map below).
Do you swim all year round?
Yes we do.
Do I need a wetsuit?
While some of our members swim year round without a wetsuit, most people tend to wear one between June and September. It is a personal preference depending on how you cope with colder water. The lowest temperature our water gets is about 19 degrees and it is generally coldest in July and August.
Do you swim on any other days?
Members regularly post on the Facebook page if they are doing a swim on another day. You are also able to put up a post asking if anyone else wants to swim with you. You may connect with others on a Sunday swim and arrange to swim together. If you wish to swim in a larger group on other days, you can swim with the Beach Bums who leave from the tower at the main beach at 6.30 on weekdays and 7 on Saturdays.
* * Starting March 2024 we now have a Cruisers Group who swim Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 8am. This is a more leisurely swim and a shorter distance. Please join the group chat if you'd like to swim with the cruisers. You will see the chat on the Facebook page.
Are swims ever cancelled?
Occasionally we do not run our regular swim either due to adverse conditions or if there is another event on in the area that makes access to our swimming spot difficult.
How do you know if a swim is cancelled?
Always check the Facebook page if in doubt, there will be an update if anything has changed.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes, there is plenty of parking although it can be busy during peak holiday times and in summer. It’s a good idea to arrive about 10 mins early.
How far do I need to be able to swim to join the group?
You should be able to swim at least one kilometre to join the group. You do not need to be fast, but you should be confident in the water.
How far is the swim?
Approximately 1.8 km over and back.
How will I know where to swim?
We have a little briefing before the swim starts or you can ask another member to show you. It’s pretty easy straight across and back.
Can you get out half way?
Yes, if you want to. Just let us know you are going in.
What are conditions like across Mooloolaba Bay?
Being a protected area it is generally calm, particularly at the Spit end. However there are days when the swell is big or it is windy which can make it a more challenging swim (generally in summer). Mooloolaba main beach has a shore dump than can extend down towards the Spit on some days. On average though it is a fairly easy swim. As mentioned in an earlier question if conditions are dangerous we will not swim.
Do you provide water safety?
No, we do not. This is a social swimming group and while we make every effort to keep all swimmers safe, if you swim with us, you are doing so at your own risk. It is up to you to bring your own personal flotation device should you wish to do so or your own flippers/fins. It is also up to you to decide if conditions are beyond your ability on any given day.
I’m not confident enough to swim with your group yet so how do I improve to be able to ocean swim?
Even if you only want to swim in the ocean rather than in a pool, the best (and safest) way is to train in a pool. Pool swimming may seem boring by comparison, but it is where you build up fitness and confidence. Swimming several times per week will allow you to build your fitness fairly quickly. You can always join a squad (that caters to all levels) or have some stroke correction lessons if you feel your stroke needs work. A general rule of the thumb is that you need to swim at least twice a week to see any improvement in your fitness, preferably 3-4 times when you are starting out. Check this article for further information.
If you would like some structured sessions to improve your swim fitness check out Get Swimming (www.getswimming.com.au) as they have a Couch to 1k program as well as 10 packs of program sessions you can use to train in the pool.
I’m not sure if I’m ready but would like to have a try at a Sunday swim. Is that OK?
Yes, that’s fine if you let us know. We can have somebody swim with you for your first swim and see how you go
Do you ever have swims just for beginners?
Yes, we do run beginners courses through Get Swimming. This is a paid workshop that provides water safety and is in a small group. For more information and to register your interest see the Beginners Page. Courses run when we have enough interest, so please do register if you'd like to attend one.
Do I have to wear the group swimming cap?
No, you don’t have to, but it is a great way of keeping track of our swimmers out in the water. If you don’t have a group cap but do have a fluro green cap, that is also helpful. Bright colours are much easier to see in open water.
Where can I get a cap?
You can order a cap on the Swim Caps tab or you can get one at a Sunday swim. Caps cost $15.
Where Can I get merchandise?
Merchandise is ordered on a regular basis. There will be a post on the Facebook page when an order is going in. Outside order times you can put in an Expression of Interest form HERE.
Why are there membership questions to join the Facebook page?
Facebook groups are a big target for Spammers and having the membership questions is a line of defence against this. The questions are not personal and take a few seconds to complete. It is also necessary for people to accept the group rules.
Do you have coffee afterwards?
The most important question! Yes, most definitely we do. There are a couple of coffee shops nearby or you can bring your own.
Any other questions?
Click on the message icon below.
