FAQS

Can I Register on Event Day?

Sorry, you can’t register on the event day itself. The final deadline for registration is the day before the event, which is February 1st, 2025 (Unless sold out prior)

Can I Register Multiple Participants at Once?

Absolutely! During the checkout process, click the “Register Another” button. This allows you to add more participants. All entries will be bundled into one payment.

Can I Switch My Starting Group?

Starting groups for both age groups and ‘back of the pack’ are quite flexible due to the use of the rolling start but be aware that if you want to be eligible for a place prize, you must start at the specified ‘gun’ start at the beginning of each age group time slot.  Times for these gun starts will be issued to you by message on the day leading up to the event.

Note: You must start in your designated wave, or you will be disqualified.

Can My Friends and I Swim Together?

For the 1km Swim:
If you and your friends are of the same gender, you can choose either the Open Male or Open Female waves. Alternatively, anyone can opt for the ‘Back of the Pack’ wave, which has no gender or age restrictions. We recommend registering together to ensure you’re in the same wave.

For the 2km Swim:
If you’re registering with friends or family who are the same gender and within the same age group, opt for the Age Category waves. For a more inclusive experience, you can select the Open Mixed waves with no gender or age restrictions. To secure spots in the same wave, it’s best to register together.

Can I Change my Event Distance?

Using the “Transfer” button on the event page, enter your confirmation number and last name. Access is then granted to create a new registration. Once you have added all your details under the new sub event, the original amount paid will be added to the new registration at check out. If a more expensive sub event is selected then the remaining amount (and fee) with be left to pay.

Please note that the entry system (not the Manly Lifesaving Club) charges a $2 fee per transfer.

Please note: When registering if you have selected “not specified” as your gender, you are only able to enter into the Elite Start Group or the Back of the Pack. Start Groups are subject to availability, If no waves are shown then there is no capacity for your age/gender. Please select your Start Group carefully as once registration is complete, the relevant number and Start Group cannot be changed.

Can I enter the 5km Swim?

If you had participated in the Cole Classic 5km swim in the last 2 years, you will automatically qualify. If you do not qualify under the above criteria, by entering you are representing that you are able to swim 5km in open water under 150 mins and have the necessary fitness to complete the course within your personal fitness limits.

Entry Fees

2024 Cole Classic Entry Fees

Is there postage available?

NO – postage of race packs is not available.

What’s in my race pack?

Your Race Pack will contain the below 3 items, of which you must be wearing prior to entering the water;

• Your coloured swim cap that corresponds to your wave
• Timing tag with a velcro strap to be worn around your ankle
• Bag tag that you must attach to your bag if utilising our bag drop

How do I collect my Race Pack?

You are required to collect your race pack from Race Pack Collection. Please be sure to bring a copy of your eTicket to make the process as quick as possible.

If you are for any reason unable to attend, a friend or family member can collect your race pack on your behalf if they bring a copy of your e-ticket.

For those who enter in multiple events you will need to collect one race pack for every event you have entered.

Where is Race Pack Collection?

Race Pack Collection will be on Race Day or the day before only. Time and location will be confirmed closer to the event.

We encourage all Cole Classic participants who are collecting their Race Pack on Sunday morning to arrive at least 1 hour prior to their start wave time. This is to ensure all participants have adequate time to collect their Race Pack, warm up and get into their start wave in time.

The Cole Classic offers a Free Bag Drop Service, opening at 6:30am on race day. This free service is provided because bags cannot be left anywhere in the Cole Classic Stadium or surrounds area due to the large number of people moving through the area.

Please attach your race number tag located in your Race Kit to your bag before dropping it at Bag Drop. Bag drop is located outdoors so please ensure your items are protected from the elements within your bag. Please note that full care but no responsibility or liability is taken by Cole Classic.

Any gear left behind will be at available for collection from Manly Life Saving Club lost & found.

How does Bag Drop work?

You will be provided with a swing tag to attach to your bag on race day. The Tag will have your race number clearly on the swing tag provided. You must attach the swing tag to your bag before handing it to bag drop volunteers. You will line up to pass your belongings to the volunteers who will place your bag into the bag drop tent in numerical order. Your bag will be stored here until the completion of your race.

The event organisers will take care of your belongings, but no responsibility will be taken for any valuables or clothing that are lost or damaged. We suggest that you do not leave any valuables such as wallets, keys or phones in your bag.

Upon collection of your bag post-race, you will be required to show your race number to a volunteer to retrieve your bag. The easiest way is to write your Race Number on the inside of your forearm or on your swim cap with a permanent black marker before you start your race. Your Race Number is the same as the Bag Drop number in your Race Kits. Permanent markers will be provided for you to use when you pick up your Race Kits as well as at Bag Drop.

Ensure that you allow plenty of time before your race to check your belongings into the bag drop tent.

Please note the below times are indicative of how the event day will be run to allow swimmers to plan they day and weekend in Manly. Actual times will be confirmed closer to the event and communicated via email and social media. 

We use rolling start procedures for each swim.  This means regardless of when you start, your time will be taken from the start mat to the finish mat. Age groups will start from youngest to oldest.

We encourage ‘self seeding’ which means faster swimmers in each age group should marshall at the earlier range of the times below. Swimmers who start after the Back of the Pack have commenced, will not be eligible for a podium. If you are after a podium placing, please read until the end. 

To ensure accurate podium placing announcement and presentations at the conclusion of racing, we ask that those wanting to be in the running for a podium finish, be at the start line when age groups start.

5KM

1KM

2KM

How do I enter a team?

If your workplace, friends or family have registered a team for the 2025 event, you can join their team when registering. Once you have started your registration, click ‘Join a Team’ on the pop-up box and search for your team name.

How do I create a team?

To create a team, visit our registration form and;

1. Select your preferred registration type
2. Click ‘Create a Team’ on the pop-up box
3. Fill out your team’s details and click ‘Create my Team’

From here, you will be taken to the team managers Dashboard where it will then direct you to register yourself for the event (if you wish to participate). The Dashboard is also where you can manage your team details.

Share your team name, and password if applicable, with your team members so they can select to ‘Join a Team’ when registering.

What do I do if I have lost my entry confirmation?

If you have deleted your confirmation, please log in to your participant Dashboard to retrieve a copy. If your bank account has not been charged, you are not entered into the event.

What happens if I start in the wrong group?

It is important to start in your assigned group so we can manage the numbers of competitors in the water at any given time.

What should I do with my Timing Tag and cap?

You can keep the Caps but Timing Tags must be returned after the race. There will be people at the finish line to help you take off your tag. If you do not race or take it home, please post it back to the address below. Any lost or misplaced tags will incur a replacement fee of $50.

Timing Tag Return Address

MultiSport Australia
PO Box 2122
Woolooware NSW 2230

Do I need a support vessel?

Support vessels are not permitted in any of the Cole Classic events, this includes the 5km event. The organisers will provide all water safety required to participants.

Can I wear a wetsuit or flippers?

Organisers will allow participants to wear wetsuits, flippers and fins ONLY in the 1km Back of the Pack categories to ensure fair competition. Wearing any of these items prohibits swimmers from claiming a place/prize.

Where can I purchase an Event Day SMS?

You can also receive your results shortly after crossing the finish line with an SMS sent directly to your mobile phone.

Simply log into your Dashboard, select ‘My Registrations’ and ‘Make Changes’ to add extra items.

Can I leave my gear anywhere?

There will be a Bag Drop service available on event day.

Can I refund my entry?

When entering the Cole Classic, the terms and conditions must be accepted by each individual entrant. The refund policy for 2025 is listed below. There are no exceptions to this rule and no refunds will be given for change of mind or situation.

What happens if the race is cancelled?

The race organisers reserve the right to cancel the race due to rough or dangerous conditions. In the event of cancellation, there will be no refund of entry fee. An alternate date will be looked at to stage the event. A decision will be made ASAP on race day and broadcast via this website and social media.

What are the event terms and conditions?

• • • • Cole Classic Terms and Conditions – Click Here
      • Transgender and Transsexual guidelines – Click Here

What Happens to Lost Property?

Any lost property from the day will be handed into Manly Life Saving Club where it can be collected in the day or for up to 4 weeks after the event (unless other arrangements are made). We will hand any remaining items to a local charity after this time.

We will only post lost property if you are interstate and any costs for postage etc are to be covered by you.

PLEASE NOTE: The event organisers take no responsibility for any lost items. We suggest that you use the designated FREE  Bag Drop service provided by The Cole Classic so as to ensure your items are not left unattended.