Staying active and getting outdoors

With the sun slowly emerging, school holidays nearly upon us and work wrapping up for the year, more and more people are looking for ways to get outdoors and stay active.

Over the summer, there are plenty of free and inclusive community events and activities, with everything from weekly running groups to dog walks, group meditation, outdoor workouts, ocean swims, and more.

Swimming groups

There are several local swimming groups in Greater Geelong and while most of them operate throughout the year, no one would be blamed for finding the idea of a chilly ocean swim more appealing in summer.

Some local ocean swim groups include Salty Bitches, a local Bellarine-based group of all ages, sizes, abilities and genders who swim on the everyday somewhere along the Bellarine Peninsula, or weekly swimming groups such as the Geelong Swim Club and Surf Coast Swimming Club.

At this time of year there are also plenty of one-off events run by groups, including even yoga studios like Zero Point Yoga in Ocean Grove.

On the first day of 2023 at 8.30,am Zero Point Yoga will host a community swim and cacao on Collendina beach, “Salutations and Blessings to 2023”.

Founder of Zero Point Yoga Rebecca Duffield said her studio did not slow its events at all over Christmas and the New Year.

“Because we know for some people they need the community more than ever this time of year.

“Watching the community come together and evolve into a cohesive and friendly group is amazing.”

An accessible ocean swim for all ages, the Ocean Grove SLSC’s annual fundraiser ocean swim event, designed for all ages and all abilities, will take place on January 26 2023.

Community walks

Another great low-intensity way to get outside is joining in on free community walks.

There is a walk for everyone in Greater Geelong, including weekly walks hosted by Saturday Walking Group from the Sands Torquay at 8.45 every Saturday or semi-regular “Wiggle and Mingle Dog walks” taking place at the Ironbark Basin in Anglesea and with upcoming walks posted on the Wetdogco socials.

Life Activities Club Surf Coast (LAC SC) is hosting several free community walks over summer including, amongst other, Thursday morning walks starting from the RSL carved seats on the Esplanade near Salty dog at 9 am.

The LAC SC says this is a strenuous walk along the Esplanade to Jan Juc SLSC and back along the Great Ocean Road, with coffee and Chat at Doc Hughes after.

If you are looking for other walking groups or to start one yourself, a great place to head to is walking.heartfoundation.org.au, where you can search or register for a Heart Foundation Walking group.

Parkruns

If you are looking to take the exercise up a notch, there are also several great running groups and events taking over the summer, including the Torquay parkrun and Lorne parkrun, both taking place every Saturday from 8am.

The Torquay parkrun is a 5km loop starting and finishing on the lawn next to Salty Dog Cafe at Fisherman’s Beach, Torquay.

The Lorne parkrun is a loop beginning and ending at the Lorne SLSC.

Fun runs and walks are also a great way to get outdoors or motivate yourself with something to train for, with several summer events coming up including the Rip to River fun run, taking place on December 27, with a 10km walk beginning 8.30am and the run beginning at 9am from the Pt Lonsdale lighthouse.

Yoga

If you are looking for something more flexible, there are always several yoga events for the beginner or long-time yogi, with local yoga studios offering holiday passes and deals, such as Your Yoga Room in Torquay’s seven-day holiday pass, or Geelong West Yoga free five-day pass.

Outdoor hikes

If group classes and activities aren’t your thing, why not make the most of the beautiful coastline, with day hikes, longer outdoor trails or even just short walks all at our doorstep?

For the casual stroll, Rocky Point Headland Loop near Torquay is an easy 2.1km walk that takes approximately just under 30 minutes.

If you are looking for a moderate walk, wander down the Jan Juc Beach to Bells Beach 9.7km walk which takes approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes, or the slightly shorter Torquay Surf Beach via Fisherman’s Beach, a 5.3km walk that generally takes just over an hour.

Or if you are looking for something more challenging that will require a bit of pre-planning, the Surf Coast Walk at Point Addis Marine National Park is a two-and-a-half day walk, 44.3km that tracks along coastal cliffs and big wave beaches, beginning at Point Impossible and ending at Fairhaven.

Whatever way you want to get outdoors this summer, there is no doubt there is something for you, with local groups and businesses upping the anti when it comes to outdoor events this summer.