Event Update

Hi Everyone,

Well, what a devastating weekend it was for everyone involved.  We know how much time, energy and money has gone into your preparation, so we really do understand how frustrating this cancellation was. 

Firstly, I just want to provide you with some background on Thursday’s decision, so you fully understand our position leading into the weekend.

Earlier in the week, the forecast was very favourable for Saturday, so both our team and local authorities were very optimistic.  By Wednesday, the swell forecast for Saturday / Sunday was starting to show very little sign of improving, so after consultation with our local authorities, we made some changes to the format and provided the update via our website and email that afternoon. 

The requirements in our aquatic event permit to operate the event are very strict when it comes to boating conditions.  On Thursday, with the significant swell height already over 1.8m and trending beyond 2.0m, our permit to operate the event was about to be revoked, so we made the decision to cancel the event then, rather than wait until later that day or Friday morning. The conditions that eventuated on Friday were then beyond what we are permitted to operate in, so the decision would have been taken out of our hands with less than 24 hours to go.

This year we had a number of contingency sites, including local lakes, but due to the rainfall in the weeks prior, the water quality ruled these out as an option.

We are aware of several swimmers and paddlers who still attempted a long swim, some of which were successful, however the day didn’t end well for one support paddler who sustained very serious injuries in the surf.  Conditions appeared very calm because of the lack of wind, but surf conditions were still extremely powerful along the open beaches.

Some of you have a wealth of surf swimming and boating experience to draw on and are capable of assessing the conditions for yourself, however many aren't and they rely on us to make decisions that keep them safe.  That duty of care and responsibility will always be something we take very seriously.

Below we have outlined the refund process from here.

John Guise

Event Director | Swim the Gold Coast

Refunds

Although we have strict conditions in our Participant Agreement surrounding refunds when late changes are necessary, we always want to offer you something.

We realise that our refund offer below is not the full entry fee you paid, but when we have to postpone, just days before the event, almost all event expenses are paid for in full and entry fees contribute to these costs.  Unfortunately, some of our costs cannot be recovered or carried forward, so a full refund is just not possible.

• If you entered and paid for your 2022 entry, 70% of your entry fee will be processed to the card you used to enter.
• If your entry was a deferral from a previous year, we need your bank details for the refund – please send these to the email address below.  70% of your entry fee will be refunded to your bank account.
• Refund Contact: info@worldseriesswims.com.au
  

We realise that many of you will need to see some improvements for 2023 in order to enter again, so we want you to know that a number changes are being proposed that will provide you with more certainty around your swim.  This may include the time of year, stand-by days, support boat requirements and new race formats not previously offered.

At this stage, without any certainty around the 2023 event format, we cannot offer a credit or deferral.