One of Australia’s largest mass-participation open-water swimming events returns in 2024

With a distance of 19.7 km, the annual Rottnest Channel Swim is one of Australia’s largest mass-participation open-water swimming events - attracting more than 6,500 swimmers and support crew each year.

The first entries to the 34th edition being held in 2024 opened on Monday, with thousands of hopeful swimmers expected to sign up for the event.

The 2024 event will be held on Saturday, 24th February, departing from Cottesloe Beach (Mudurup) and finishing at Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).

President of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association, Kirsty Bellombra, said that after four records were smashed in near-perfect conditions in 2023, the team hopes to repeat the successes again in 2024.

“It was an incredible event last year. Not only were South32 Rottnest Channel Swim the conditions fantastic, but we saw records broken in the male solo, female solo, male duo and team categories, and many of our participants achieved personal best times,” Bellombra shared.

“We are so excited to see what’s in store for 2024! Registrations for the sought-after event usually get snapped up quickly, so we are encouraging people to register as soon as possible,” she said.

Queensland’s Bailey Armstrong was the first male to cross the line in 2023, completing the swim in three hours, 48 minutes and 11 seconds. He was one of four male soloists to smash records.

WA’s Chloe Truscott was the first female soloist to finish, crossing the line in four hours, 14 minutes and 31 seconds and breaking the record by close to seven minutes. This was Ms Truscott’s third win in three years.

Madisyn Armstrong came in second, also breaking the previous record. She is the sister of Bailey Armstrong.

High profile athletes Cody Simpson, Mack Horton, Bowen Gough and Josh Edwards–Smith broke the team record by nearly three minutes.

Registration details for 2024
Solo, Tandem Solo and Lavan Charity Challenge Team entries opened at 8.30am AWST on Monday 23rd October
Duo entries opening the following week, at 8.30am AWST on Tuesday 31st October
Team entries at 8.30am AWST on Wednesday 1st November 2023.

For more information about the Event and to register, visit rottnestchannelswim.com.au