Under the Event Rules, an intending solo swimmer must have either completed either:
- A Rottnest Channel Swim solo crossing within the previous two years (2022/2023), or
- A 10km qualifying swim between 30 October 2023 and 26 January 2024.
If you’re a local swimmer or from interstate or overseas, you can choose to qualify by participating in any 10km open water swim between 30 October 2023 and 26 January 2024.
International and interstate swims outside these dates may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Swims outside these dates that have been confirmed as qualification swims can be found below.
You should keep in mind when selecting qualifying swims that different rules may apply. For example, some swims allocate different cut-off times which may not allow you the full 4 hours and 15 minutes to qualify.
If you complete your qualifying swim in Western Australia at any of the official 10km qualifying swim events, you will NOT be required to update your qualifying swim time through the registration system.
If you’re completing your qualifying swim interstate or overseas, on completion of a qualifying swim, you need to log into your registration and fill in your results on the swimmer details page. You’ll be asked to provide a web link to the website that contains your qualifying swim results. You need to update these details by 26 January 2024.
If you fail to complete a qualifying swim within the designated period or do not meet the qualifying time, you will be unable to participate in the event. Please see our T&C’s for further information on refunds.
The average per/km pace of your fastest official qualifying swim will be used to determine your race number and starting wave for the Event. For an estimate of your 2024 starting wave, based on current qualifying times, please visit our Swimmer Statistics Webpage.
For more information on race number/wave allocations, head HERE.
WA qualifying swims
Qualifying swims available in Western Australia include the Open Water Swim Series, Christmas 10K swim and the Indian Ocean Swim (make sure you check out these websites for more information and full terms and conditions). You might also be interested in the following events in WA:
Location
Date
Distance
Yahava KoffeeWorks Cool Water Classic - Dunsborough
Sat 11 Nov 2023
11.5km *Must notify the Event's Race Director if qualifying
2024 WA Open Water Swimming Calendar
Interstate and International qualifying swims
Please note: all swims must be completed with World Aquatics complying swimsuits (refer to RCSA By-law-1 which can be found below).
If you’ve found another swim that you think would be a suitable qualifying swim, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au with relevant details.
Previous qualifying swims
If you’re an interstate or international swimmer, you can request the RCSA to allow a previous long-distance solo swim completed in the last two years (2022/2023) to be used instead of a Rottnest Channel Swim solo crossing. The RCSA (through the Race Director) usually considers and allows an alternative swim if appropriate.
If you believe you’ve completed a solo non-wetsuit swim of similar or greater difficulty and distance as the Rottnest Channel Swim, and it was within the previous two years, please provide details and evidence of that swim by emailing info@rottnestchannelswim.com.au before 26 January 2024.
There are many long distance swims around the world – the solo completion of these swims will be regarded as qualifying swims:
- Swim Around Keppel, Queensland (20km)
- The English Channel (34km)
- Catalina Channel, California (32km)
- 20 Bridges Swim – Manhattan Island, New York (46km)
- 8 Bridges – Hudson River, New York (21km – 32km)
- Traversee Internationale du lac St-Jean (32km)
- Ederle Swim – New York to New Jersey (28km)
- Around Jersey Swim (65km)
If you’ve found another swim that you think would be a suitable qualifying swim, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing query@rottnestchannelswim.com.au with relevant details.
Qualifying swim rules
If you’re an intending solo swimmer, you must comply with the following Qualifying Swim Rules and By-laws of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association for your qualifying swim to be valid:
- The swimmer must swim 10km in 4 hours 15 minutes or less;
- The swim must be in open water (not in a pool);
- The swim must be officially recorded by a timekeeper/organisation;
- The swimmer must comply with by-law 1 (see further below). This means that the swimmer must wear equipment that meets the event’s requirements and, in particular, swimmers cannot wear wetsuits;
- The swimmer must comply with By-law 2 (see further below). This means that the swimmer must not receive support from any person or thing, such as by standing on the bottom, or holding onto paddle craft, lane ropes or anything else;
- The swimmer may take nutrition and water however they wish, but in doing so cannot be supported by any person or thing. Time taken for nutrition and water is included in the time limit of 4 hours 15 minutes.
By-law 1
- In any Rottnest Channel swim attempts, no swimmer shall use or be assisted by artificial aids of any manner. Swimmers are permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles, wear a maximum of two caps, a nose clip, and earplugs. Swimmers must wear one swim suit that does not contain neoprene, rubber or any other material that aids buoyancy and complies with World Aquatics Competition Regulations in that the swim suit shall be of a woven textile material, shall not contain a zipper, nor cover the neck, nor extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. In addition to one swim suit that complies with this rule, for modesty purposes, swimmers may wear bathers under their outer swim suit. These bathers must be two piece (women) or briefs (men or women). Swimmers may also wear one rash vest or stinger suit made of porous textile material (such as nylon or lycra), which does not cover the neck, nor extend past the wrist, nor extend below the ankle, but may contain a zipper.
*Therefore, for the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim, the pointzero3 and nero swimsuits made by Blueseventy do not comply.
** The list of approved World Aquatics swimsuits can be viewed at World Aquatics approved swimwear
By-law 2
- During an attempt, no supporting contact whatsoever shall be permitted by any person or object with the swimmer.
It’s essential that you comply with these qualifying swim rules and by-laws when doing an alternative swim, otherwise you won’t be adequately prepared for the event.
