1991-1995

Formation of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association
In 1989, Kevin Holtom gave John Whitehead a copy of the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation's constitution to use as a foundation for the Rottnest Channel Swim Association constitution. John then proceeded to lay the foundations of the RCSA based on this information. He informed past Rottnest Channel swimmers and other interested persons of his intentions and conducted an informal meeting at the Rottnest Hotel in December 1989. This informal gathering was attended by Bev Ashby, Peter Blackmore, Maxine Fitzpatrick, Kevin Holtom, Ron King, Lesley Meaney (nee Cherriman), Barry Power, Shelley Taylor-Smith and John Whitehead. The first office bearers were elected and objectives were discussed. It was decided that the RCSA's priorities were to observe and authenticate persons who swim the Rottnest Channel; promote safety; advise and encourage swimmers wanting to make an attempt as well as gathering and preserving historical data from the crossings.

It was agreed by those present at this first meeting of the RCSA that although most of the previous successful crossings be accepted, some rules based on other long distance swimming associations should be adopted for future crossings, and that only successful, unaided swimmers be eligible to membership of the RCSA.

The annual race (1991-1995)

On 23 February 1991, 35 years after the 'Weekend Mails' race to Rottnest, the second race across the Rottnest Channel was held. Sixteen individuals left Cottesloe Beach at 5:30am and seven teams of four started at 6:00am. Twelve solo swimmers and all seven teams completed the crossing. Peter Galvin won the solo event in a time of 4hours:30minutes:3seconds and the first team over the line comprised of Peter Blackmore, Shelley Jesney, Sue Johnson and Anthony Short. Max and Carroll Wannell became the first husband and wife to make individual crossings.

In the same year Peter Tanham achieved the first double crossing of the Rottnest Channel in a time of 14:08:05, repeated only by Barbara Pellick in 1994. Barbara completed her double crossing in a time of 12:06:12, beating Peter's time by nearly two hours.

Due to the success of the race, the RCSA decided to make it an annual event. On 22 February 1992, thirty-one solo swimmers and thirty-nine teams of four started from Cottesloe Beach. The solo race was won by 14 year old Tamara Bruce with a time of 4:13:58, breaking the 1991 record by sixteen mintues. Peter Tanham made his fifth successful crossing, although the previous four were not part of an official race. Brian Kinneen and Dianne Kinneen-Larcombe became the first brother and sister to make individual crossings in 1992.

David O'Brien from New South Wales broke the existing record by twelve minutes in 1993 in a time of 4:02:08. Tamara Bruce finished second and third place went to Deiter Gebauer.

Teams of 2 were introduced in 1993 and eight teams entered. The first duo to reach Rottnest Island was named Peppermint Grove Jewellers and comprised of Tom Hinds and Jason Diederich.

In 1994 the length of the swim was increased when the finish line was moved from the Natural Jetty to the foreshore of Thomson Bay. David O'Brien once again won the solo event in 1994 in a time of 4:30:06.

Peter Galvin became the first person to win all three categories of the Rottnest Channel Swim - the solo event in 1991, the duo event in 1992 and the team event in 1994.