Perfect conditions lured hundreds of extra swimmers to register for this year's Newcastle Harbour swims.
The 700 and 1400 metre events were delayed while organisers dealt with the influx of competitors at Stockton.
"We had over 680 people in both events, which is about 250 more than we expected," event organiser Callan Nickerson said.
The annual swim, which has been running since 1995, is the only time it is legal to swim across the harbour.
It is also Australia's richest ocean swim with a cash prize of $3500 split across male and female podium finishers.
Jake Stephens, a late entrant, took out the 700 metre event while Daniel Collins took our the 1400 metre event.
Nearby at Fort Scratchley, hundreds of people turned out to witness the 11am firing of the fort's guns.
The fort's original 80-pound gun went off without a hitch at 11am to the delight of onlookers.
The gun cost more than $120,000 and required more than 250,000 hours.
