The first swim was held back in 1974 with just 38 intrepid members of Whale Beach Surf Club competing. Sharks were the big concern in those days and local scuba divers patrolled the bottom in an effort to ensure a safe passage for the swimmers. Now, such beach-to-beach, or point-to-point, journey swims have become the favourite swims of fine ocean swimmers. Other surf clubs have copied the concept and now run swims along the beaches. However, THE BIG SWIM still is considered the premier event that is a must for competent swimmers upwards from the age of 12.