Australia is well known for its champion Olympic swimmers but plucky Brits can pit themselves against the Aussies in the rougher waters of the Cole Classic at Manly Beach next month.
Three events are spread over the course of the day (February 4th), which is now as much a fun day out at the beach as it is a swimming contest.
Indeed, its first organiser, Graham Cole, said before the first ever contest in 1982: "[The Cole Classic] not a race but a challenge to all persons to stretch themselves in body and mind to swim a reasonable distance through surf.
"It will I hope, be an incentive to persons to involve themselves in the self discipline required to get fit; obtain confidence in their ability through swimming, to achieve a pride in having performed something that is, perhaps slightly above average."
The 1km event is recommended for nine-year-olds and over while the majority of amateur athletes will take part in the 2km course. Later in the day, the strongest swimmers will tackle the 10km route, which will be restricted to 100 competitors.
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