'Strong winds and rough seas failed to deter more than 900 ocean swimmers as they battled a grueling 2.4km course in the annual Banana Boat Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim on Sunday December 3.

In an exciting finish, 1996 Olympian and Bronte Surf Club Malcolm Allen took 30min 11sec to win the elite men's division after a late wave saw him overtake the leader with less than 100m to go.

Andrew Beato, from Quakers Hill, looked to have the race sewn up as he led a group around at the last marker buoy but took too wide a turn and Allen saw his chance as a set wave appeared.

With Beato marking time in the calmer water, Allen displayed all the skills of a seasoned body surfer to ride the wave to shore to seal the win and reverse the results of the previous week's Coogee race.

"That was one of the more challenging swims on the calendar - it was like a washing machine out there,'' Allen said. "When we got close to the finish I saw that Andrew had a strong lead and I was hoping for a wave to pop up at the right time and it did. Now that my pool swimming days are gone I find these swims much more enjoyable even if they do stop you going out on a Saturday night" Allen joked.

First home in the women's elite division was Coogee winner Luane Rowe (32:06), beating Manly ironwoman Naomi Flood (32:16). But Flood made up for her second-placing grabbing the $500 first prize in the 500m dash for cash while Allen again impressed the large crowd with his body surfing prowess to make it a double when he also got the cash in the mens division.

The race was also a showcase of surf lifesaving skills, especially in the testing conditions, with volunteers from North Bondi, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte making sure there were no serious incidents apart from the odd bluebottle sting and a few minor cases of hypothermia.

Race Director Stephen Ford said it was fantastic to see the support of the large cross section of Bronte Surf Club members, "everyone chipped in to make the day a great success for Bronte".

A special mention goes to our fabulous sponsors Banana Boat who have supported the event and Bronte Surf Club for the last four years. Thank you to Aaron & Paul Collins and all of the Banana Boat Team for your marvelous contribution.'

Report by Duncan Horscroft