VRC Sunset Race Series 2025   

Deep Water Bay              

Race Format

• A total of 6 races will be scheduled in the league

• The first and last race (race 1 and 6) will be a ‘shotgun start’ (all swimmers starting together in the water). 

• For races 2,3,4,5, swimmers will be given a handicap start time (based on their previous race finish time)

• The handicap format increases competitiveness allowing more people a chance to win / finish in a higher position in the league at the end of the race series

• The race series will suit a range of abilities, however there will be a cut off time for safety reasons and to ensure races finish on time

• If the race committee believes that conditions are unsafe (for swimmers, safety boats / crafts), then the scheduled swim will be canceled. Canceled swims will be rescheduled if possible. 

Race Dates (Thursday Evenings)

• Race 1 - May 8

• Race 2 - May 15 

• Race 3 - May 22

• Race 4 - May 29 

• Race 5 - June 5 

• Race 6 - June 12 

• Awards and BBQ after last race 

• Check in from 6.00 pm 

• Race start at 6.40 pm (the fastest swimmers will have greater handicap and start up to 20 mins after 6.40 pm)

Race Divisions 

• There are 3 divisions:

• Womens 

• Mens

• Teams  - 3 swimmers per team of any gender, participants can submit their team names when registering on race day 1

• Parents of Junior swimmers must sign a participation waiver form or they will not be allowed to participate

• Each category has its own league and there are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each of the league categories.

Race Start

• All races will start at 6.40 pm from Victoria Recreation Club in Deep Water Bay

• On each race day, swimmers must check in / register at VRC at least 20 minutes before their race start

• The first and last race will be a 'Shot Gun start' - all swimmers start at the same time in the water at 6.40 pm

• Races 2-5 will be a handicap start so swimmers will have different starting times which will be communicated 1 day in advance, please see Handicap Start section on this site for explanation 

• Races will be timed using webscorer (no chips)

Handicap Start Explained 

• HANDICAP RACE - any race or competition in which the chances of an inferior swimmer are made more equal by some means, as by giving a head start etc.

• The race series handicapping aims that swimmers are "equalised" by commencing their start at different time intervals based previous swim time. 

• It would be anticipated that if each swimmer swam to their previous race time (or swam to their "handicap") that all swimmers in that race would arrive at the finishing line at the same time. 

• All races will start at 6.40pm from VRC Pontoon 

• The SLOWEST swimmer(s), based on their handicap, starts FIRST at the command "GO" at 6.40 pm. 

• The other swimmers leave the starting pontoon when their STARTING NUMBER is called, until the last swimmer, who has the FASTEST time handicap, has their starting number called. 

• A swimmers handicap time will be determined from the previous race 

• Start times will be communicated one day in advance of each race

• If a swimmer misses Race 1, their first swim will start at 6.30 pm / “GO’ to determine their handicap for the next race

Course Route / Map 

• Start in the water at VRC pontoon

• Swim in an anti clockwise direction 

• Pass the first buoy marker (inflatable buoy) 

• Turn at the 2nd buoy marker (fixed YELLOW buoy)

• Pass the 3rd buoy marker  (inflatable  RED buoy)

• Keep all buoys to your left side as you swim by (otherwise your will be disqualified)

• Finish at the pontoon by touching the finish banner over head and swim to the ladder to exit

• The cut off time is 40 minutes - Swimmers are not allowed enter if they are slower than this time

• Safety is our priority, there will be a motor boat with lifeguards circling the course and safety kayaks to direct swimmers

Points Scoring 

• League positions are based on a points system, the lower your points tally, the better your position. To aid calculation of the league table swimmers who do not swim in a particular week are awarded a nominal score of 40. 

• League points are awarded as follows:

• The winner in each race category each night scores ‘0’ points

• 2nd place scores 1.5 points

• 3rd scores 2.75 points

• 4th scores 4 points

• 5th scores 5 points and so on

• Each swimmer's 4 best finishing positions from the scheduled 6 swims are used to calculate a swimmer's total league points. 

• So competing in all 6 swims maximises your winning as you will be choosing your 4 best finishing positions, and discarding your worst 2 from 6 races.

• After the final swim, there will be BBQ and awards including prizes for the top finisher in each league,  the 'fastest timed swim' of the series (male and female) and more

Entry Fee 

Early Bird = $1,000 (Ends April 20th)

Regular Price = $1,200

One race = $300 

Entry fee includes 

• Entry to all 6 Races 

• Races Series Swim Cap / t-shirt 

• BBQ and Awards at end of race series