THE WATODAY ROTTNEST CHANNEL SWIM IS JUST FIVE WEEKS AWAY

The 2009 WAtoday Rottnest Channel Swim will be held on 21 February 2009. Swimmers all over Western Australia, and indeed the World are gearing up for the best event yet.

Now in its 19th year, the Rottnest Channel Swim (RCS) has the largest participation for any distance open water swim in the world. This year, there will be over 2,200 swimmers and nearly 800 boats in the water.

Solo swimmers will begin from 6.45am, and staggered starts
will take place each 15 minutes until 8.30am.

Presentations at Rottnest Island will be held at 6.30pm sharp!

Fast Facts:
- The Rottnest Channel Swim began with Gerd van Dicklage making the first official crossing in 1956. While others swam the crossing over the next 30 years, it wasn’t until the formation of the Association in 1989 that rules and regulations were adopted and the swim given an official format.
- The second recorded swim was held in 1991, with twelve solo swimmers and seven teams recording times.
- Thirty-four International competitors are coming from the USA, the UK, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.
- There are 165 swimmers coming from all corners of Australia to compete in this event. (A 30 per cent increase on the 118 National swimmers in 2008). Every State is represented by swimmers, with the largest contingents coming from NSW with 75, and from Vic with 56.

Ends.
Media contact: Sasha Jones 0408 468 678