Virtual Swim Pool/Swim Group FAQs

• Step 1 – Register your pool here.
• Step 2 – Purchase a Digital Pack which contains all the registration forms and templates you need to run your event.  Purchase digital swim packs here!
• Step 3 – Purchase swim caps and medals for your participants. This year, following feedback from participating pools, you can now purchase individual swimmer packs that contain a swim cap and medal. You can also purchase a prize pack to give away at your event! Purchase swim packs here!

Here’s what’s available…

Digital Pack – $35
This pack is perfect for a pool that has remaining merchandise from a previous virtual swim but would still like to be recognised as an official Virtual Swim and be able to purchase additional merchandise. This includes:

Digital certificate template
Digital posters
Registration templates
Pre-made social media content
Template press-release
Social media template posts/materials
Email support from the Rottnest Channel Swim Association

RCS Individual Swimmer Pack – $15
1 x South32 Virtual Rottnest Channel Swim cap
1 x Virtual Swim Medal with Lanyard

RCS Lanyard Only – $5
1 x Virtual Swim Lanyard (no medal)

Prize Pack – $120
1 x Canvas Duffle Bag
1 x Waffle Towel
1 x RCS Retro Cord Cap – Swimmer
1 x Swimmer Pin

After purchasing what you need, we’ll send you all the information you need to run your event, including an example schedule, presentation ideas and a script to help you plan the day. Virtual Swim pack purchases close on December 2025 or until sold out.

You decide! People could sign up in person at your local pool or swim club or send registrations to you by mail or online, you can decide what will work best for you. We’ll give you example registration templates and forms to get you setup and if you’re wanting to setup online registrations but aren’t sure how, let us know and we can send you some recommendations.

If you get extra swimmers sign up, you can always purchase extra merchandise including swim caps & medals.

To receive your merchandise in time for your event, you’ll need to order by the following dates:

• Australian Domestic Orders – Sunday, 1 February 2026
• International Orders – Thursday, 15 February 2026

Here’s what’s available in 2026…

Digital Pack – $35
This pack is perfect for a pool that has remaining merchandise from a previous virtual swim but would still like to be recognised as an official Virtual Swim and be able to purchase additional merchandise. This includes:

• Digital certificate template
• Digital posters
• Registration templates
• Pre-made social media content
• Template press-release
• Social media template posts/materials
• Email support from the Rottnest Channel Swim Association

RCS Individual Swimmer Pack – $15

• 1 x South32 Virtual Rottnest Channel Swim cap
• 1 x Virtual Swim Medal with Lanyard

RCS Lanyard Only – $5

• 1 x Virtual Swim Lanyard (no medal)

Prize Pack – $120

• 1 x Canvas Duffle Bag
• 1 x Waffle Towel
• 1 x RCS Retro Cord Cap – Swimmer
• 1 x Swimmer Pin

No worries at all! You can purchase the Digital Pack option which provides you with all the digital assets and support for your event without merchandise. You’ll still have the option to purchase additional merchandise if you need it and be recognised as an official Virtual Swim event.

The 2026 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim will be held on Saturday, 21 February 2026. We recommend holding your event on the same day to match the real experience. However, you can choose to hold your event on a different day if you’re unable to hold your event on the actual day. Keep in mind, all results need to be submitted to query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au by Friday, 13 March 2026 to be added to the Virtual South32 Rottnest Channel Swim Results on the Event website.

After you’ve registered and purchased your Virtual Swim digital pack, you can still purchase additional medals and swim caps through our online store. You can order at any time but be mindful that to receive your merchandise in time for your event, you’ll need to order by the following dates:

• Australian Domestic Orders – Sunday, 1 February 2026
• International Orders – Thursday, 15 February 2026

You can purchase your Virtual Swim packs at any time, keeping in mind you’ll want them to arrive prior to event day. We recommend purchasing your pack early to get the most value out of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association’s support, including marketing tools. Packs are sent by AusPost and can take 8-10 working days to arrive.

Virtual Swim packs will commence being sent at the beginning of January and can take up to 8-10 working days to arrive within Australia (dependant on shipping delays).

International deliveries will depend on the destination location. For more information, click here.

We recommend charging around $25 per swimmer, ensuring you cover your operational costs.

The Virtual Swim categories for swimmers are:

• Solo (continuous) – completed in one day (aged 14+)
• Solo (lap accrual) – swam over a six week period between Sunday 11 January and Saturday 21 February 2026 (aged 14+)
• Duos – 2 swimmers (aged 14+)
• Team of 4 – 4 swimmers (aged 14+)
• Novelty Team – up 10 swimmers (aged 10+)

You will be provided with all of the forms to record the laps and times of each swimmer and, after the event, if you send the completed forms to query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au, they will be displayed on the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim website! All results need to be submitted by Friday, 13 March 2026.

For swims to be recognised on the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim website, they do need to follow the Virtual Swim Event Rules. This will be provided to you when you purchase your pack. You can also view them HERE.

You can view the terms & conditions you agree to when purchasing a pack HERE.

We’ll provide you with digital posters to print and put up around your local area. We will also supply you with images you can use to promote your event. We’d recommend getting in touch with your local newspaper to explain what you’re doing and they may be able to help you with marketing and promotion.

Absolutely you can! You can get some friends and family together to run your own event! If you’re planning to run the event at your local pool, make sure to have a chat with them to confirm they’re happy for you to run your event there. The local pool may require you to hire lane space.

We’ll provide you with a digital template so you can print off as many certificates as you’d like.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to make refunds, however with the ability to purchase individual swim packs this year, this should help to only have to purchase what you need.

If you’d like the results from your swim displayed on the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim website, please email us a copy of each of the solo swimmers, duo, teams and novelty teams results sheets which will includes their laps and times. You can email them to query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au. All results need to be submitted by Friday, 13 March 2026.

We would also love to hear how it went and see photos of your event that we can share on social media!

We’re always here to help! You can contact the Rottnest Channel Swim Association directly via email at query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au or call (08) 6555 3970.