The Cooly Classic is the most iconic open-water swimming competition on the Gold Coast.
Every year, elite swimmers flock to this event to compete and conquer three of the country’s most challenging surf breaks: Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta and Kirra.
Cooly Classic Ocean Swim, 2025 Dates Coolangatta, Gold Coast
The 1.0km Cooly 1000 starts on Coolangatta Beach and finishes at Kirra. This option is the perfect introduction for less experienced ocean swimmers.
Your Start line, Snapper Rocks, is one of the world’s most famous surf breaks. Then, your course is straight to Kirra Beach, passing Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Coolangatta Beaches as you swim.
Regardless of your distance, you’re guaranteed to experience the crystal clear waters of Southern Gold Coast in autumn, and that’s a must-do for any swimmer.
Cooly 5.0 (5.0km)
This is the big one, a 5.0km marathon distance swim.
This course will extend the current 3.0km, with swimmers making a turn near the North Kirra SLSC and returning to Kirra Beach.
The field will be limited to 200 swimmers – get in quick when entries open!
Cooly 3.0 (3.0km)
If you’re a seasoned ocean swimmer, sometimes 2.0km just isn’t enough. Push your limits in the 3.0km long course.
The new course will follow the 2.0km point-to-point format, with an extra leg added beyond Kirra Point.
Cooly Classic 2.0
The Cooly Classic 2.0 is without doubt the main event and always attracts a big crowd.
Starting at the popular Snapper Rocks surf break, the course follows the coast north passing Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Coolangatta en route to the finish at legendary Kirra Beach.
Cooly 1000
The Cooly 1000 is a 1.0km short course option from Coolangatta to Kirra Beach. This is a perfect introduction for less experienced ocean swimmers and retains the popular point-to-point format.
Junior Giants (1000m)
The Junior Giants event is a great opportunity for kids aged 10 to 16 to compete with other swimmers their own age.
We also encourage family and friends to share the experience and swim the course alongside the kids – you’ll need to enter this event too.
The 1000m event will use the same course format as the 1000m Short Course event starting at Coolangatta Beach.
Prizes
All World Series Swims will offer some great prizes, elite swimmers, and elite swimmers will also have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes in nominated events.
Presentations on event day will include the following overall prizes in each event (male & female). Age Group prizes will be posted to winners once results are finalised.
Clinics & Coaching
In addition to a super Sunday of ocean swims, we have festival events across the weekend.
Find out more about each below…
KLIMSWIM Open Water Clinic
Sat April 12, 2025 | 8am & 10am
These sessions offer expert coaching and tips and tricks from guest coaches in the same location as the main event on Sunday. Two sessions will be offered, each limited to 50 swimmers.
Hosted by Michael Klim, special guest coaches and current Engine Swim athletes, this is a rare opportunity to learn from past and present stars of the pool and open water.
Clinic Info
Two Clinics on Saturday, Apr 12: 8am & 10am
Meet in front of the Kirra SLSC on Kirra Beach
Bag Storage available at meeting point
Warm up, condition check + race prep
Approx Swim Distance: 1.5 km
COST: $35 per person
Swimnastics Sessions
Sunday Apr 13: 8am & 9:15am
In 2025 we’re adding some great new FREE dryland warm-up sessions before you swim, hosted by the amazing Swimnastics team.
Swimnastics develops the fundamentals of dryland strength and conditioning training by teaching athletes to move functionally through a great range of movement with kinesthetic awareness.
These free sessions will include:
- activation for your open water swim
- an opportunity to learn how to do a dryland warm up specific for swimming
- by warming up on dryland pre-swim, you can swim with greater technique by creating flexibility in your body for the positions required.
- we will work on creating connection through your body and length of your stroke
- think creating rotation in the upper body and stability in the lower body.
Pre-registration is preferred; however, you can enter on the day. Limited places will be available, and a late entry fee will apply.
The Cooly Classic Ocean Swim is usually held during Australia’s autumn months. It finishes around noon, yet there are plenty of activities to enjoy after the race, including swimming, beach games and water sports.
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