Event Information – Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach

Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach

supporting the Fragile X Association of Australia

Proudly Sponsored by Manly Wharf

Sunday 13th September 2026

Event Categories

The 11km ocean paddle from Blue Point Reserve to Manly Wharf is open to the following categories:

Please note there must be at least 5 competitors/teams to create a category. If there is less than 5 competitors/teams per category only first place will be awarded.

  • Single Surf Ski – includes age categories of
    • Under 16 (16yrs & under)
    • Under 19 (17-19rs)
    • Under 23 (20-23yrs)
    • Open (24-39yrs)
    • Over 40 (40-49yrs) 
    • Over 50 (50-59yrs)
    • Over 60 (60-69yrs) 
    • Over 70 (70+yrs)
  • SLSA Spec Ski
  • OC1
  • Sea Kayak
  • Plastic Kayak
  • Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)
  • Prone Paddleboard
  • Double Ski Male
  • Double Ski Female
  • Double Ski Mixed 
  • Double Ski 100yrs and over – combined age, any gender
  • Double Ski 40yrs and under – combined age, any gender
  • OC2 – all genders
  • Coastal Rowers Double
  • Coastal Rowers Quad
  • OC6 

Age Category Information

The age category is based on your age as of the 31/12/2026. That is the age bracket you are turning in the 2026 calendar year. 

Event Timetable

All event times are subject to change.

6.00-7.00am

Registration opens at Start Location – Blues Point Reserve

All competitors must sign off their name and collect their timing chip at registration prior to the start of race. If you have done this on Saturday you do not need to line up on Sunday.

7.10amEvent Briefing at start location – Blues Point Reserve
7.30am onwardsCompetitors access the water in start wave order as listed below following the direction of officials.
from approx  7.45 amStart – Start waves will be provided at race briefing
8.45amExpected first finishers at the western side of Manly Wharf
Starting Approx 10:00 to 10.30amPresentations at Felons Brewing Co, Manly ( Eastern side of Manly Wharf)

Entry Fees

Online entires will close on Friday 11th September 2026 at 12 midday.

There will no entries taken on race day.

Categories

Early Bird

up to 24th July 2026

Standard

25th July to 4th Sept 2026

Late

5th to 11th Sept 2026

Single Craft – U16, U19, U23yrs$50$65$80
Single Craft – all other age categories$65$85$120
Double Craft (per craft)$90$120$180
Coasal Rowers Double (per craft)$90$120$180
Coastal Rower Quad (per craft)$180$240$360

Click here for the full Event Entry Terms and Conditions, including the Refund Policy.

Safety Equipment

All competitors must wear a:

  • Lifejacket  – All competitors must wear an approved minimum Level 50 Lifejacket. Your lifejacket must be HI-VIS or brightly coloured for visibility. No black or dull colour lifejackets will be permitted.  An approved Level 50S Lifejacket can only be worn with a Hi-Vis shirt over the top. Prone Paddleboard competitors only are permitted to wear an approved Level 100/150 Inflatable bum bag Lifejacket. Oceanpaddler will have these available to purchase or hire. Please contact us prior to reserve one. Click here for a list of approved lifejackets
  • Safety Leash – These are required by competitors to maintain contact with their craft, which can be particularly difficult during high winds, or if someone should fall from their craft. (Coastal rowers are exempt).
  • Electronic Timing Chip – Provided at registration

 

Recommended Equipment

  • Mobile Phone – a mobile phone in a waterproof case is strongly recommended with event contacts in your phone. Event numbers will be provided at registration.
  • PLB – Personal Locator Beacon
  • Water – we recommend a minimum of 1L of water to be carried during the race.
  • Sun protection – hat and sunscreen.
  • SafeTrx Tracking App – https://coastguard.com.au/safetrx/

Rules

In any life-threatening emergency call 000.

All competitors must abide by the following event rules:

  • Wear/carry the mandatory equipment as specified above.
  • Sign in on the morning of the race and collect their timing chip.
  • Attend the compulsory pre-race briefing held prior to the event start.
  • Stop and help any other competitor/s in difficulty whilst on the course.
  • Follow the event course at all times.
  • Follow the direction of water safety officials at all times when on the water.
  • Give way to larger vessels when on the water at all times.
  • If a competitor withdraws prior to the start of mid-event they must notify the event officials either in person or by phone to be formally withdrawn from the event. Event contact numbers will be available at registration.

Craft Hire

If you wish to hire a craft please contact Oceanpaddler on 0422 554 965 or contact@oceanpaddler.com

Event Entry Terms and Conditions

By entering an Oceanpaddler event you agree to the following terms and conditions as outlined by the event organisers.

Participant Eligibility & Fitness

There may be a pre-requisite event required to participate in some Oceanpaddler events. Please check the individual event websites for details.

All participants should be experienced in ocean paddling, including being sufficiently skilled and trained to undertake an ocean paddle event. All participants should be proficient in re-mounting their craft in ocean conditions. Conditions may include open ocean swells, strong wind and current.

It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure you are physically fit enough to complete the distance you have entered and to monitor your health and condition during the event, including knowing when to withdraw if you are no longer fit enough to continue.

Entry Cancellation & Refunds

If you need to cancel your entry, the following refund schedule applies for the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach event:

  • 50% refund issued on entry fee up to 11.59pm AEDT, 13th August 2026 (4 weeks prior to event)
  • No refund provided after 11.59pm AEDT, 13th August 2026 (4 weeks prior to event)
  • Additional purchases, including merchandise and event products, are non-refundable.

 

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to contact@oceanpaddler.com Refunds will be processed to the original payment method within a reasonable timeframe.

Refund Protection (Race Roster)

In addition to the cancellation policy above, Refund Protection is an optional third-party product offered at checkout (where available) and is provided and administered solely by Race Roster. This may allow you to claim a fuller refund in eligible circumstances not covered by our standard policy.

All claims, approvals, and outcomes are governed by Race Roster’s terms, eligibility criteria, and processes. The organisers have no control over or responsibility for outcomes under Refund Protection.

Refund Protection must be purchased at the time of entry and cannot be added after registration is complete.

Refund Protection purchased through Race Roster is a participant-based protection product and does not guarantee refunds in the event of organiser cancellation, postponement, or force majeure unless specifically covered under the provider’s terms.

Participants are encouraged to read the full Race Roster Refund Protection terms and conditions before purchasing.

Refund Protection operates independently of and does not limit rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

For details on the program, eligibility, and how to submit a claim, visit the Race Roster support page: 

https://help.raceroster.com/en-us/knowledge-base/managing-my-race-roster-registration-refund-protection

Entry Transfers

Entry transfers are not permitted. Entries are non-transferable and cannot be sold, assigned, or transferred to another person under any circumstances.

Under no circumstance are you to give your race number to another person. The safety of our athletes is paramount and we must ensure we have the correct details of all participants. Violation of this rule will result in the immediate disqualification of both parties.

Entry Deferrals

Entry deferrals to future events are not offered.

Event Cancellation, Postponement & Force Majeure

In the event that the race cannot proceed due to adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, acts of government, pandemics, or other circumstances beyond the organiser’s reasonable control (force majeure), the following applies:

  • Every effort will be made to provide an alternative race course on the scheduled race day.
  • If this is not possible, the event may be rescheduled to a later date.
  • In some circumstances, the event may be cancelled entirely.
  • No refunds will be issued in any of these circumstances, including in the event of cancellation.

Liability for Associated Costs

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the organisers, sponsors or stakeholders are not liable for indirect or consequential costs incurred by participants, including but not limited to travel, accommodation, equipment, or third-party expenses. This includes if the event is rescheduled or cancelled.

Insurance

The event organiser, Oceanpaddler, holds public liability insurance. This does not include or cover personal accident insurance for competitors.

All other insurances, including personal accident cover, are the sole responsibility of the competitor.

Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict, or modify any rights you may have under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), including the Australian Consumer Law. Where applicable law implies guarantees that cannot be excluded, our liability is limited to the extent permitted by law.

Contact

For all enquiries regarding this policy, please contact us in writing at contact@oceanpaddler.com.

 

Donations to Fragile X in 2023

For the tenth year running, Shaw and Partners Financial Services has generously committed to match, dollar for dollar, donations made to the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach event, raising much needed funding for Fragile X Association of Australia*.  

If we as a paddling community can raise over $10,000, Shaw and Partners will match this with another $10,000This means that for every $1 that you donate, you are in fact, effectively donating $2 and your donation is tax deductible.

This will help fund the specialist family support service offered to Fragile X families across Australia. 

Help us reach our target of $20,000 for Fragile X!

Participants can donate to Fragile X when entering online.

*Donations will be matched to a cap of $10,000

Presentations starting between 10:00 and 10:30am

Proudly Sponsored by