On a scorching summer day in Adelaide, a sea of blonde wigs, white bathing suits and blue floatie rings have jumped into the ocean for a good cause.

More than 600 people took part in this year’s Marilyn Jetty Swim at Adelaide’s Brighton Beach to raise funds for cancer prevention, research and support services.

Now in its 11th year, the annual event has raised more than $1.3 million to date, with swimmers from all over the world dressing up as the iconic 1950s star, Marilyn Monroe.

The fundraiser was founded by Sarah Tinney after her mother, who lived in the US, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2006.

She said she felt helpless being so far away from her mother, and that when she passed away in 2007, fundraising became even more important to her.

“It’s really just a tribute to my mother,” Ms Tinney said.

The first Marilyn swim took place in 2014 with 50 people, and has now grown into an event that attracts hundreds of swimmers and spectators.

“I decided that I would throw myself into fundraising and try to help people like my mum here in Australia because there was nothing else I could do and it’s the best therapy that I could possibly take on,” Ms Tinney said.

She said the idea came about from a conversation with another woman who knew she fundraised for the Cancer Council.

The woman said Ms Tinney should do ‘something iconic and American for your mum’ and suggested she ‘swim like Marilyn Monroe’.

“And it’s just kind of grown from there,” she said.

“I had two ladies swimming next to me today – 78 years old – I think those are our oldest Marilyns, so cancer affects everyone, and everyone gets involved and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Fundraising record broken

This year’s event saw record attendance with 663 Marilyns, but also broke the record for the most amount of money raised in a single year with more than $310,000 collected for the Cancer Council of SA.

“What started as a simple, fun idea with the local surf club to make a difference has become something that I’m incredibly proud of, led by a sisterhood of inspirational people from all walks of life,” Ms Tinney said.

People taking part said it was a special event to be a part of.

“My cup feels like it’s overflowing honestly, just with love and happiness,” said Jane, one of the swimmers.

Chief Executive Cancer Council SA, Kerry Rowlands said she was ‘blown away’ by this year’s event.

“We have people participating from across Australia, people who have flown in from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, but we also have two teams [from overseas] that I’m aware of, one that has flown in from the UK and one from America,” Ms Rowlands said.

“Everybody is touched by cancer, and yes it’s a fun event, look around, it’s fun, but it is so much more than that – it is a unique event that unites everyone against cancer together.”

Swimmers Rachel and Paul said they were taking part after losing a friend to brain cancer last year.

“This year, we’re swimming for her,” Rachel said.