Open water swimming at Gwangalli Beach
TEAM GSR is a swimming, running and triathlon club that meets at dawn on Gwangalli Beach in Busan. We swim along the beach and under Gwangan Bridge every other weekend. Beginners are welcome — what matters is showing up.
Sessions & joining
Is there a group I can swim with at Gwangalli Beach?
Yes. TEAM GSR (GSR Gwangalli Swimming & Running) is a club of about 133 members that swims and runs together at Gwangalli Beach, Suyeong-gu, Busan. Members include swimming instructors, Ironman finishers and sub-3 marathon runners, so beginners get plenty of help.
When and where do you meet?
We meet on Gwangalli Beach every other weekend — Saturday on the 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend of the month, Sunday on the 2nd and 4th. Meet time is 06:00 from April to October and 06:30 from November to March.
Each session has three groups: a longer swim toward Gwangan Bridge, a beginner swim along the beach, and a run.
Can a beginner or a visitor join?
Yes. First-timers swim with the beginner group, close to the shore, with a leader and a buddy. Visitors can request one trial session with the English form — no account needed. Our crew will contact you by Instagram, KakaoTalk ID or email.
How do I become a member?
Membership runs through the Korean apps Somoim (group "GSR 광안리 바다수영&러닝") and KakaoTalk, and every member agrees to the club's waiver and safety rules. If you don't read Korean, start with a trial session and our crew will walk you through it.
Water temperature by month
Jan 2023 – Sep 2026. Monthly average of daily sea surface temperature off Gwangalli Beach. Chart and measured temperatures (Korean)
| Month | Average | Coldest day | Warmest day | Club guideline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12.3 °C | 10.3 °C | 13.6 °C | Leaders decide on site |
| Feb | 11.4 °C | 9.2 °C | 13.6 °C | Leaders decide on site |
| Mar | 12.2 °C | 9.6 °C | 15.9 °C | Leaders decide on site |
| Apr | 14.5 °C | 11.2 °C | 16.7 °C | Leaders decide on site |
| May | 17.3 °C | 14.8 °C | 21.6 °C | Wetsuit advised |
| Jun | 20.8 °C | 17.3 °C | 23.8 °C | Go |
| Jul | 22.9 °C | 18 °C | 28.7 °C | Go |
| Aug | 27.8 °C | 21.5 °C | 29.7 °C | Go |
| Sep | 26.9 °C | 24.8 °C | 29.4 °C | Go |
| Oct | 22.8 °C | 19.9 °C | 26 °C | Go |
| Nov | 18.2 °C | 15.8 °C | 20.8 °C | Wetsuit advised |
| Dec | 14.3 °C | 12.7 °C | 16.6 °C | Leaders decide on site |
Model estimates from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Water near the shore can differ by wind and current.
Safety & gear
What should I bring?
A swimming wetsuit (not a surf suit), swim cap, goggles and a tow float (buoy) are required. Fins are optional. If you don't have a wetsuit, Surfmarine on Gwangalli Beach rents them (₩8,000, shower only ₩3,000).
When is a session cancelled?
We swim when waves are 1.0 m or lower. Above 1.0 m it is hard to swim without fins, so the leaders decide on site and may cancel. Wind over 8 m/s, water under 15 °C, thunderstorms, marine weather warnings or rip-current risk are also judged on site. The decision is announced early that morning.
What safety rules do you follow?
Everyone wears a tow float and swims with a buddy. Groups are split by swim cap colour (level), and leaders swim at the front and back. Every member agrees to the club waiver and safety rules.
Most club communication is in Korean. This page is a summary for English speakers.