Welcome to AQuA Festival 2023
The Wett Ones and the Sydney Stingers are excited to bring you the Australian Queer Aquatics Festival, as part of Sydney WorldPride 2023 and WorldPride Sports.
The local community, aquatic clubs from around Australia and visitors from across the globe will come together to compete in the harbour, on the harbour and by the harbour! AQuA Festival will bring together swimming, water polo, a beach festival and of course a killer closing party to bring just the right amount of wet to your Sydney WorldPride 2023 experience.
So, whether you want to jump in for your first ever ocean swim, scoop a gold medal in the pool, or help run the BBQ to keep our athlete’s energised – register or get in touch today!
Events Calendar
Plan your trip to Sydney to get the most out of Mardi Gras, WorldPride and AQuA Festival.
*AQuA events are displayed in Blue.
For other events visit SydneyWorldPride.com
Sporting Events
Beach Festival
11 February, 2023
AQuA kicks off at Manly Cove, with the Bobby Goldsmith Memorial Ocean Swim and Beach Water Polo Fours competition, with the help from our friends at KAP7 and Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club.
Swimming
2 March, 2023
A day of fast paced competitive racing at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre. Open to everyone. Be prepared to set some PB’s in this beautiful outdoor 50m pool.
Waterpolo
1-2 March, 2023
Two days of fierce and furious action at Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Score some goals at Sydney’s newest pool complex.
Finals Festival
3 March, 2023
Everyone is invited to join in fun swimming races, relays and to cheer for the Water Polo Finals at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, by The Royal Botanic Garden.
Merchandise. See our great range from Delfina.
About AQuA Festival
The Australian Queer Aquatics Festival 2023 is committed to providing a safe and inclusive sporting environment where people of all LGBTIQ+ identities, diverse backgrounds and people of all abilities can contribute and participate in our events.
AQuA Festival is honoured to be part of Sydney WorldPride 2023 and we are proud of our commitment to its Sports Inclusivity and Diversity Pledge.
We do not tolerate homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism or ableism, and we are developing policies for inclusion and diversity that will be available here on our website in the near future.
Sydney Wett Ones President
Luca Alessi
(he/him)
Ciao swimmers of the world, Wett Ones would like to invite you to Sydney for 3 days of swimming competition! AQuA will be days of friendship, fun and inclusion. We will share our passion for swimming with the magic and spirit of Sydney WorldPride. Can’t wait to see you all here down under! Cya!!
Sydney Stingers President
Ben thomas
(he/him)
Bujari gamarruwa and welcome! We cannot wait to get wet with you for AQuA and Sydney WorldPride 2023! We have so much in store for you here in Sydney, so don’t delay. Register now and get ready to be a part of something special, advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in aquatic sports in Australia and beyond.
Social Events
AQuA Harbour Party
3 March, 2023
Everyone is invited to party on the Harbour.
Get whisked away from the Man O’War Steps by the Sydney Opera House to The Island. Celebrate victories and make new friends with an afternoon on Sydney Harbour.