Pre-Event FAQs

Once you’ve registered as a duo or team, you can’t transfer your entry to another person or team.

• If you register as a duo or team, you’ll need to make an upfront payment when you register. There are no refunds for duo and team swimmer withdrawals. 
• Duos may rotate a maximum of one swimmer throughout the swim.
• Teams may rotate a maximum of two swimmers throughout the swim.

You can transfer swimmers by logging in to your Active account and following the prompts. This guide also explains the transfer process.

Please note, you can only transfer swimmers if the swimmer is not the Team Captain and replacement swimmers are over the age of 18. If the withdrawing swimmer is the team captain or the replacement swimmer is under the age of 18, please email query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au.

Any other changes will need to be run past the RCSA for approval. You’re not allowed to transfer swimmers between solo, duo, or team categories.

If you need to change a swimmer after 5pm, Wednesday 19 February 2025, you will need to complete the Swimmer Change Form (released after the 18 February), complete both sides and present it to the Help Desk at Cottesloe Beach.

Organising a support boat can be hard, so it’s important to start organising your support boat and skipper at least six months before the event (especially if you’re coming from interstate or overseas). Your skipper will need to register for the Event, otherwise, your entry will be forfeited.

Best ways to find a support boat:

1.       Post in the Boat & Paddler Facebook group – this works for most people.
2.       Ask around – word of mouth usually works well.
3.       Advertise in the Forums section on our website.
4.       Advertise in local newspapers, such as The Quokka.
5.       Advertise online for free on Gumtree.

Entrants must organise their own support boat and paddle craft – no personal watercraft (such as jet skis) are permitted.

The size of the boat required is determined by two factors:

1. The minimum size of boat that is legally permitted to travel to Rottnest Island;
2. The number of people onboard.

For these reasons, and for comfort and sun/wind protection, the RCSA recommends the following size boats:

The RCSA will, however, allow any vessel 4.5 metres or greater that’s legally permitted to carry the whole team (including any swimmers, paddlers, and support crew). The number of people permitted is determined by either the information displayed on the Australian Builder’s Plate or (if there is no Builder’s Plate) by reference to the WA Department of Transport requirements as below:

It’s the responsibility of the skipper to make sure the boat is suitable and capable of making the trip. The skipper also needs to check thoroughly that the support boat isn’t overloaded.

It’s highly recommended (but not compulsory), that a paddle craft be used to assist the swimmer/s and skipper on the day.

Further minimum support boat guidelines include:

• 1 x lifejacket (Level 100) for each person onboard – including swimmers and paddlers (unless paddler is wearing a Level 100 lifejacket for the duration of the event);
• All skippers must be in possession of a Recreational Skippers Ticket – the ticket number needs to be provided when registering;
• All vessels must carry an operational two-way VHF marine radio, two hand-held orange flares, and two parachute distress rocket flares;
• All vessels must meet the WA Navigable Waters Regulations requirements for registrable vessels;
• All vessels must be equipped with the required mandatory safety and emergency equipment as per the WA Navigable Waters Regulations;
• All vessels must carry an anchor and line;
• Vessels greater than 7 metres must have a bilge pump fitted.

Boats 10 metres or more

Boats 10 metres or more must stay north or south of the fleet at all times. To get close to swimmers, a tender will be needed (tenders must have all safety equipment onboard).

Skippers must be registered by 26 January 2024. After this point, you will need to contact query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au to update your boat details.

You won’t be able to participate in the event if you haven’t registered your support boat by 5.00pm (AWST) Wednesday, 21 February 2024.

If you need to update your skipper or support boat details after Wednesday, 21 February you will need to complete both sides of the Support Boat/Skipper Change Of Details Form (available after the 20 February) and present it to the Help Desk at Cottesloe Beach on the day of the event.

Timing chips are included in your race packs.

Race packs are collected at the mandatory Event Briefing. You can find more information on Briefings HERE.

If you have any issues on Event Day, please visit the Help Desk, where blueChip Timing will be based.

If you’re attempting the Rottnest Channel Swim, you’re not allowed to use any artificial aids to help you. Your swimsuit must comply with World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Rules. World Aquatics provides that a complying suit:

1. Is of a woven textile material
2. Does not cover the neck
3. Does not extend beyond the shoulders or ankles.

World Aquatics rules may change from time to time. As a swimmer, it’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re compliant. Check out the World Aquatics guidelines directly for more information.

In relation to these rules, the RCSA states that you may:

1. Wear two suits (for modesty) so long as one suit is either briefs (men and women) or a bikini (women)
2. Grease the body before a swim
3. Use goggles
4. Wear two caps (your official cap must be worn on the outside)
5. Use a nose clip
6. Use earplugs
7. Wear a rash vest/stinger suit.

You may not:

1. Wear any item with neoprene or any other buoyant material
2. Wear anything not within the spirit of World Aquatics’ rules or within the spirit of the RCSA exemptions.

Under the Event Rules, if you intend to do the swim alone you must’ve either:

• Completed a Rottnest Channel Swim solo crossing within the previous two years, or
• Completed a 10km qualifying swim between Wednesday, 1 May 2024 – Sunday, 26 January 2025.

If you’re a first-time solo swimmer, or you haven’t successfully completed a solo crossing in the last two years, you need to qualify by completing a 10km qualifying swim event in 4 hours and 15 minutes between Wednesday, 1 May 2024 and Sunday, 26 January 2025.

Have a look at qualifying swim to find out how you can complete a qualifying swim if you’re interstate or international.

If you don’t live in Perth (WA) and can’t make it to the compulsory Event Briefing, there’ll be an International, Interstate & Regional Briefing you can attend. The venue and time will be confirmed with attendees.

If you have any other questions, get in touch at query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au.

If you are a Solo swimmer and successfully complete the crossing, you will receive an official Rottnest Channel Swim Solo Finisher Prize Pack. When you register, you need to choose your desired items and sizes.

View the options HERE.

Per the Event T&Cs, solo swimmers who withdraw from the event, or don’t successfully complete the crossing won’t be entitled to a Solo Finishers Prize Pack (inclusive of the Event Shirt), collected at the Finish Line.

You can buy extra Event Shirts for support crew, paddlers, or friends and family on the online registration system when you register for the Event for collection in your race pack (that you will collect at your Event Briefing). You can also order Event Shirts and other Rotto Swim merchandise online HERE. We highly recommend you order any extra shirts for your support crew in advance, as it’s common for some or all shirt sizes to be sold out.

No, you can’t. You can only enter once and in one category only. If you submit more than one entry, you’ll be penalised and banned from entering the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim for two years – the current event and the next event.

This kind of event is highly dependent on weather conditions. The Race Committee (consisting of the Race Director, Chief Referee, Channel Swim Base Coordinator/s, DPI Representative and RCSA President) has the right to cancel the Event if adverse weather conditions prevail or are likely to occur. Every swimmer or team is to obey this decision.

If the Race Committee determines the Event needs to be canceled on the day of the Event, an SMS alert will be sent out to all competitors. Unfortunately, if the Event is canceled, costs won’t be refunded and the Event cannot be rescheduled to another date.

The Rottnest Channel Swim Association (RCSA) has very limited insurance cover for the Event. The RCSA strongly recommends that all participants (swimmers, paddlers, and support crew) ensure they are adequately insured for the risks present on the day of the event. The RCSA cannot accept liability for personal or property damage resulting from your participation in the Event.