Henry, from Bondi Salties
“Bondi is our playground and our sanctuary”
It’s Friday. 6:15am in Bondi.
You’re on the beach, bleary-eyed. But your whole day is about to change.
And it’s thanks to Henry, who runs Bondi Salties. The community group meets every Friday morning, at the North Bondi Ramp. They head off for a soft sand run, a point-to-point swim of 1.3km, and wash it down with a coffee to finish.
Dive into our Local Legends chat, with Henry from Bondi Salties.
The story of Bondi Salties began in 2013, when a group of mates decided to head out for a point to point swim. How did Salties evolve from just a bunch of mates heading out, to welcoming in more of the community to join?
It all started back to a beautiful Friday morning in June 2013. Led by Alister Dalzell, a group of old friends met at the North Bondi Ramp for a soft sand run, a bay swim, and a coffee. The evolution was natural; that post-swim energy was so electric and the smiles were so large that we were instantly hooked. From those first few “Salties,” we’ve grown into a free, open community group. We’ve maintained that original spirit by remaining accessible to any ocean lover who is confident in the water, turning a simple morning ritual into a decade-long tradition of showing up.
Could you take us through what a typical Friday morning for the Bondi Salties community now looks like?
The magic is in the consistency. Every Friday—regardless of the season or the swell—we gather at the North Bondi Ramp. The morning usually kicks off with a soft sand run followed by the main event: a 1.3km bay swim. While the water is the draw, the “salty glow” really comes to life afterward. Coffee plays a huge role in the ritual; there is a very special alchemy that happens when you combine a post-swim high with caffeine and good company. Because it’s Friday, people tend to linger a little longer, chatting and soaking up the atmosphere before the workday begins.
“The magic is in the consistency”
What advice do you have for anyone who’s been thinking of joining Salties, but the fear of rocking up on their own is holding them back?
Don’t let the “solo” factor stop you! We are a welcoming, free community that thrives on seeing new faces. If you can confidently swim 1km of continuous freestyle, you’re ready to join the ranks. A huge perk for newcomers (including tourists!) is that once you’ve completed a swim, you’re rewarded with our iconic yellow Salties swim cap, courtesy of Santa Vittoria. It’s an instant badge of belonging. You’ll find that once you’re in the water—or sharing a laugh over coffee—that initial fear disappears pretty quickly.
Bondi Beach. What does it mean to you? What feeling does it give you?
Bondi is our playground and our sanctuary. It’s a place of incredible natural encounters; there is something truly magical about hearing the clicks of dolphins underwater before you see them, or spotting stingrays and fish darting between the waves. Whether the conditions are pristine or the swell is challenging, the beach provides a sense of connection. It’s about that “electric” feeling you get when you step back onto the sand—a mixture of adrenaline, peace, and the shared joy of the elements.
“There is a very special alchemy that happens when you combine a post-swim high with caffeine and good company“
To close off – we’re excited to be pouring the official Salties & Bondi Beer Lager from Feb 27! If you could share an ice cold Salties Schooner with any Bondi local (past or present), who would you love to pick?
Since we recently celebrated our 10th anniversary at the North Bondi RSL with 200 “Salt-loving humans,” it would have to be someone who embodies that same community spirit and love for the ocean. Sharing a cold one with a local legend who appreciates the “Friday morning glow” as much as we do would be the perfect way to toast to the next ten years.
Keen to get a piece of that Friday morning high?
Get involved with Henry and the Bondi Salties crew.
