It’s that time of year again to strip down for a good cause. The Skinny Sydney is the world’s first open-water nude swim that takes place in Sydney Harbour annually to help raise money for a nominated foundation. In 2024, The Skinny Sydney will be donating funds raised to the Charlie Teo Foundation, a Sydney-based charity that is funding research projects on brain cancer. 

If you’re keen to swim in Sydney’s harbour in the starkers, leave your bathers at home on Sunday, March 17, and join The Sydney Skinny. The event runs from 6am to 4pm and costs $75 to join. There are two racers to accommodate different swimming levels. Confident swimmers can enter the 900-metre swim and for those keen on a quick dip there is a 300 metre swim. But don’t fret, if you do feel overwhelmed on the day The Maroubra Life Saving Team will be on hand to help.

One of Sydney’s nudist beaches, Cobbler’s Beach, will host the start of the race and the course covers secluded waterways of a national park, so you want be nude in front of the general public. Thankfully, this is a private event with no spectators so if you’re nervous about people seeing you with your kit off, the only others to do so will be event organisers and participants. You’ll also be able to cover yourself with a towel before and after the event so you’ll be submerged in the water most of the time when you’re nude. 

So if you’re keen to raise money and an eyebrow or two when you tell people you’ll be swimming naked in March, then this event is for you. 

For more information, visit sydneyskinny.com.au/about 

Related story: Best outdoor swimming and lap pools in Sydney and NSW