South32 Rottnest Channel Swim

18/05/2026

It's !

We couldn't do what we do without the support of an ARMY of volunteers - from our Board and Sub-Committees through to our Race Officials, Event Day and Safety Briefings volunteers - we say a huge THANKS for your dedication and passion.

28/04/2026

Want to see your design on the back of every 2027 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim Event Shirt? 👕🏊‍♀️🌊

We’re on the lookout for an iconic design to represent the world’s most iconic open water swim, and it could be yours!

If you love the and have a creative streak, we’d love to see your Rotto Swim inspired artwork. 🖼️

☀️The competition is now open!
☀️ Submissions close 5pm (AWST), Sunday 10 May

Visit the link in our bio for all details including prizes, design requirements and Ts & Cs.

11/04/2026

Congrats to our four new Rotto soloists, and the eight repeat swimmers who all completed their crossing today!

🏆 Congratulations to our 12 swimmers who have all completed their solo crossing to Rottnest Island/Wadjemup today!

💪🏽 Peter Leckie (1st solo crossing), Matthew Evans (1st), Owen Evans (1st), Colleen Wray (1st), Rob Herkes (23rd), Fletcher Barr (25th), Dean Kerns (34th), Ceinwen Roberts (34th), Marvin Jones (3rd), Greg Johnson (7th), Matt Mackenzie (3rd) and Karen Sims (2nd) all successfully swam from Freo to Rotto today in great conditions.

🏊🏽 Today was the final Out of Event Crossing for the 2025/26 season - we'll be back in Spring and can't wait for another successful season of Rottnest Channel crossings.

🫶🏽 Big thanks to all of our fantastic open water swimming community for your continued support of the Out of Event Crossing calendar.

10/04/2026

Out of Event Crossing season is almost over! It's been an epic season so far and tomorrow there are 12 more swimmers swimming from Freo to Rotto, including four first-time soloists. 💪🏽
Good luck & happy swimming everyone! 🏊🏽‍♂️🛶🚤

Tomorrow marks the final Out of Event Crossing for the 2025/26 season, with 12 swimmers departing at sunrise to swim the 20km from Fremantle to Rottnest Island / Wadjemup.

The group includes four first-time soloists - Peter Leckie, Matthew Evans, Owen Evans and Colleen Wray, who is being supported by a legend of the Rotto Channel, Barbara Pellick.

Rottnest Channel Swim Race Director Rob Herkes will be undertaking his 23rd crossing, Fletcher Barr his 25th, while Dean Kerns and Ceinwen Roberts will both be undertaking their 34th solo crossings.

Marvin Jones (3rd crossing), Greg Johnson (7th), Matt Mackenzie (3rd) and Karen Sims (2nd) round out tomorrow's Out of Event Crossing swimmers.

Good luck to every swimmer, as well as to your skippers, paddlers and support crew!

14/03/2026

🏆 There are four new Rotto soloists after today's Out of Event Crossing from Freo to Wadjemup! Congrats to all 12 swimmers who completed their crossing, and we hope to see Cathy back out for another shot soon.

✨ Congratulations to the 12 solo swimmers who successfully crossed the Rottnest Channel in today's Out of Event Crossing - Deane Barker (20th crossing), Patrick Verryn (7th), Tim Scott (10th), Dean Kerns (32nd), Ceinwen Roberts (33rd), Fletcher Barr (24th), Renee Nener (10th), Patrick Knight (1st), Adam Knight (1st), Dakota Sime (1st), Lotti Fox (1st) and Simone Bl**er (6th).
🏊🏽 A special mention also to first-time soloist Cathy Carmichael, who withdrew from her crossing after about 3-hours with mild hypothermia. We wish Cathy all the best as she rests and recovers.
🚤 Today's Out of Event Crossing was led by Crossing Director and 11-time soloist Dave Brackstone, with support from skippers Susan Barker, Luke Colston, Richard Williams, Brett Costain, Craig Sanford and Chad Edwards-Smith.
🗓️ The next Out of Event Crossing will be held on Saturday 28 March.

07/03/2026

🥳 50 CROSSINGS FOR ANDREW!

Amazing effort eight out of event crossing swimmers today - Andrew Page (50th crossing), Ceinwen Roberts (32nd), Jodie Forlonge (5th), Chad Edwards-Smith (16th), Martin Law (8th), Tom Gilbert (5th), Tori Johnson (1st) and Jose Galasso (1st).

20/02/2026

🏊🏽 A message to our swimming community from Race Director and 20x solo swimmer Rob Herkes.

💙Thanks everyone, for your continued support of the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim.

20/02/2026

The Rottnest Channel Swim Association has cancelled the 2026 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim for safety reason due to forecast conditions.

Predicted conditions include significant southerly winds, which are not expected to ease, a strong south-to-north surface current and significant swell in the afternoon.

All participants have been notified of the cancellation via SMS, with further details and information provided on email. A statement is also available on our website.

The Rottnest Channel Swim Association acknowledges the swimmers and support crews who have trained, prepared and travelled for this event - thanks for your patience this week while our small but mighty team worked so hard right up to the final whistle.

19/02/2026

🎉 🎉 🎉 1 DAY TO GO!!! 🎉 🎉 🎉

Swimmers, this is your final checklist before the big splash tomorrow morning 🏊‍♀️✨

✔️ Check your phone in the morning for the event confirmation text
✔️ Have a good meal tonight (and maybe skip the “experimental” dinner options 😉)
✔️ Make sure your race numbers are stuck on your boat and paddle craft
✔️ Double check your timing chip is packed
✔️ Reconfirm your time and location with your team — and set that alarm! ⏰
✔️ Lock in meet-up points for paddlers and skippers so everyone’s on the same page

A little prep tonight = a smoother swim tomorrow 🌊

Next stop… the start line and a very exciting journey to Wadjemup Rottnest Island! 💙