The 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim
2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim Date
The 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim will be held on Saturday, 23 February 2013.
The swim departs from Cottesloe Beach and finishes at Thomson Bay, Rottnest Island. The distance of the swim is 19.7km.
Registrations for all categories of the 2013 event will open online via this website at 8.00am (WST) on Monday, 5 November 2012 and will remain open for one (1) week only.
In fairness to swimmers who register within the allocated timeframe, late registrations will not be accepted under any circumstance.
Important Race Information
Please ensure you carefully read all the information listed below as there have been siginificant changes made to the registration process for entries in the 2013 event.
Event Categories
The event categories for competitors are:
- Solo
- Duo - teams of 2
- Team - teams of 4
- Lavan Legal Charity Challenge - teams of 4
Minimum Age
The age requirement for the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim is a minimum of 14 years of age on the day of the event, 23 February 2013, in accordance with the FINA rules for open water swimming (OWS 1.2).
Registrations
The opening date for registrations for the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim is fast approaching. The RCSA endeavor to make the process as smooth and as fair as possible for all swimmers, however with the ever increasing popularity of the swim, places are limited due to safety factors.
Registrations Opening Date
Registrations for solo, duo and team entries in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim will open online at www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au at 8.00am (WST) on Monday, 5 November 2012.
Registrations Closing Date
Registrations for solo, duo and team entries in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim will be open for one (1) week only and will close at 5.30pm (WST) on Sunday, 11 November 2012. In fairness to swimmers who register within the allocated timeframe, no late registrations will be accepted.
Solo Entries
As per previous years, all solo swimmers who register and make payment during this one (1) week timeframe will be guaranteed entry into the event.
Duo & Team Entries - Important Changes
In response to the feedback received through last year’s post event swimmer survey, regarding swimmers unfairly attempting to submit multiple entries, the registration process for duo and team entries has been reviewed and the process for 2013 has significantly changed from previous years. The new process for the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim has been designed to ensure all duos and teams who register for an entry into the event are legitimate and committed by requiring full payment of the entry fee up front at the time of registering. Duos and teams who are successful in the ballot will not be entitled to a refund. Full details are below. Please read this information very carefully.
Registration Process - Payment Required
Registrations for duo and team entries will open for one (1) week as detailed above, and swimmer and support boat details required to register will be of a similar process to previous years.
The significant change this year is that duo and team entries will be required to confirm their intention and commitment to enter the event by making full payment of the entry fee at the time of registering. This payment up front does not in any way confirm a guaranteed entry in the event.
Ballot System
Due to the limited number of duo and team places available in the event, there are no guaranteed entries for duo and team categories and the ballot system will again be used to randomly select the successful entries for the 2013 event.
One random ballot will be conducted on Monday, 12 November 2012 that will determine which duos and teams have been successful in their registration to swim in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim.
Successful Entries
Duos and teams who are selected in the ballot will receive notification via email as soon as they have been selected on Monday, 12 November 2012.
Please note: there is no longer an acceptance period following selection in the ballot - making the entry fee payment at the time of registering confirms a commitment to enter the event if selected in the ballot. There will be no refunds for duo and team entries that are selected in the ballot.
Unsuccessful Entries
Duos and teams who are not selected in the ballot will also receive notification via email on Monday, 12 November 2012. Unsuccessful entries will receive automatically a full refund of the entry fee paid at the time of registering.
Preference is given to some entries each year. They are as follows:
- 5 places are held for current RCSA Committee Members
- 8 places are held for Life Members of the Association
- 5 places are held for disabled teams
- 10 places are held for international teams
- 20 places are set aside for interstate teams
- 30 places are set aside for regional teams
- 30 places are set aside for Lavan Legal Charity Challenge teams
Payment Options
Payment is be made at the time of registering to enter the event. Entry fees and additional T-shirts can be paid with either VISA or Mastercard only via the online registration system.
Please note: there is no longer an acceptance period following selection in the ballot - making the entry fee payment at the time of registering confirms a commitment to enter the event if selected in the ballot. This payment up front does not in any way confirm a guaranteed entry in the event. There will be no refunds for duo and team entries that are selected in the ballot.
Swimmers Details
To register, you must complete the following information for each swimmer:
First name
Surname
Gender
Date of birth
Address
Telephone number
Mobile number
Email address
T-shirt size
Emergency contact name
Emergency contact telephone number
Emergency contact mobile number
Medical conditions
Successful crossings
Consequence of Duplicate Entries
Do not try to gain entry by submitting more than one entry. Swimmers are not permitted to enter in more than one category. Swimmers who submit more than one entry will be penalised and all team members will be banned from entering the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim for two years; the current event and the next event.
Solos
All solo swimmers who register between 8.00am (WST) on Monday, 5 November 2012 and 5.30pm (WST) on Sunday, 11 November 2012 gain automatic guaranteed entry into the event. The entry fee for solo swimmers in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim is $185.
Under the Event Rules, an intending solo swimmer must have either completed a Rottnest Channel Swim solo crossing within the previous two (2) years or completed a 10km qualifying swim between 1 November 2012 and 1 February 2013 in 4 hours and 15 minutes or less. Solo swimmers who do not complete the 10km in the time required do not qualify and will not be permitted to start. For more information on the 10km qualifying swim, please visit the following link: www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/content/other-events
Solo swimmers who are successful in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim and who are residents of Western Australia, will receive an application form to purchase their customised number plates four (4) weeks after event day. The cost to purchase these plates is currently $385 (as of 1st July 2012).
Duos and Teams
Entry numbers for duos and teams are restricted for safety reasons. The entry fees for the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim is $370 for duos and $740 for teams.
Duos and teams are automatically categorised by adding the ages of the participants in each duo/team. The categories are as follows:
Duo
28+
50+
75+
100+
Team
56+
100+
150+
200+
Lavan Legal Charity Challenge
The 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim will again include 30 places for the exclusive category – the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge.
This year, the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge category not only gives you the best opportunity for your corporate group or team of passionate swimmers to fundraise for charity, but also provides the ultimate benefit – guaranteed entry into the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim!
The first 30 teams to register and make payment to enter the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge will receive the following benefits:
· Guaranteed entry;
· A separate morning briefing (for two team representatives) including complimentary light breakfast at Lavan Legal;
· An official 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim Merchandise Pack for each swimmer;
· A donation made on your behalf to the charity of your choice;
· Compete for the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge Cup.
In 2010, The Bondi Vet’s Chris Brown and Deano, Hoppo and Whippet from Channel Ten’s Bondi Rescue won the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge Cup. In 2011, the winners of this exclusive category were the Statwide Oil Slammers who were also the very first swimmers across all categories to cross the finish line on the day. Team Bondi Vet & Rescue returned in 2012 to again take out the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge Cup for their second time.
The entry fee for this exclusive category in the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim is $1,700.
Please note that teams in this category are exclusively competing for the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge Cup only and teams in this category are not eligible for prizes allocated to the regular team category, including overall cash prizes and age group category merchandise prizes, regardless of the overall finishing position or age group finishing position.
Briefing
It is mandatory that all solos, and a swimmer from each duo/team attend the 2013 HBF Rottnest Channel Swim Briefing. It is highly recommended that the support boat skipper also attends, regardless of if they have skippered in the event before as significant and important changes to the safety protocols and course layout are made each year. The support boat skipper is ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of the swimmer/s and support crew on the day of the event so it is vital for your safety that they are sufficiently prepared and informed. The briefing will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 5 February 2013 at Challenge Stadium, Stephenson Ave, Mount Claremont.
Support Boat
Entrants must organise their own support boat and paddle craft – no personal watercraft (jet skis) permitted.
The size of the boat required is determined by two factors:
• The minimum size of boat that is legally permitted to travel to Rottnest Island;
• The number of people onboard.
For these reasons, and for comfort and sun/wind protection, the RCSA recommends the following size boats:
Category Recommended Boat Size
Solo No less than 5 metres
Duo / team No less than 6 metres
The RCSA will, however, allow any vessel with a length 4.5 metres or greater legally permitted carry the whole team (including the swimmer(s) and paddler(s), and support crew).
The number 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 W.A. Department of Transport requirements per the following table:
Length of Boat Maximum number of people aboard (including the swimmer/s and paddler/s)
4.5m to less than 5.0m 5
5.0m to less than 5.5m 6
5.5m to less than 6.0m 7
It is the responsibility of the Skipper to make sure the boat is suitable and capable of making the trip and to check, and double check, that the support boat is not overloaded.
It is highly recommended but not compulsory, that paddle craft be used to assist the swimmer/s and skipper on the day.
Call signs for solo swimmers, and duo and teams will be the solo/duo/team number. For example, if you are solo swimmer 100 then your call sign is "Solo swimmer 100" and if you are duo 323 then you call sign will be "Duo 323" and if your team 450 then your call sign will be "Team 450".
The support boat information that is required to complete your registration is listed below:
Name of boat
Boat registration number#
Boat length#
Make of boat - boat make and model
Engine Type - inboard or outboard
Type of marine radio - 27Mhz or VHF#
Mooring location/number if staying overnight at Rottnest#
Boat skipper name#
Boat skipper address#
Boat skipper mobile number#
Boat skipper email address#
Boat skipper Recreational Skipper's Ticket number#
# compulsory information to complete your entry.
Swim Suit Regulations
Under clause 22 of the Constitution, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee at the Committee Meeting on 18 September 2012 amended By-law 1. Final confirmation of the Committee Meeting minutes will take place at the next Committee Meeting to be held on 16 October 2012, however the Committee wishes to inform and advise Members that By-law 1 which governs the use of swim suits and artificial swimming aids has been amended and approved to be in force with immediate effect. For ease of reference, By-law 1 reads as follows:
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 FINA’s Open Water Swimming Rules 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.
To provide existing and new Members, as well as interested parties, the history pertaining to the current amendment to this By-law, the RCSA has provided the following information and timeline surrounding the thorough and extensive review of the matter of swim suits over the past two years - http://www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/content/notice-amendment-law-1-0
Start Times
The first wave of solo swimmers leaves Cottesloe Beach at 5.45am and the last wave of team swimmers leaves the beach at 7.45am. The first solo wave will be comprised of females and the top seeded males to a maximum of 100 swimmers. The second solo wave will be comprised of the remaining males.
The following list outlines the start waves for each category, and their respective start times:
Swim wave 1: start time 5.45am; Solos - female and seeded males;
Swim wave 2: start time 6.00am; Solos - rest of males;
Swim wave 3: start time 6.15am; Duos (Mixed/Female), race number 300-499;
Swim wave 4: start time 6.30am; Duos, (Male) race number 500-699;
Swim wave 5: start time 6.45am; Teams 56+, race number 700-799;
Swim wave 5: start time 6.45am; Teams 200, race number 800-899;
Swim wave 6: start time 7.00am; Teams 150+, race number 900-999;
Swim wave 7: start time 7.15am; Teams 150+, race number 1000-1099;
Swim wave 8: start time 7.30am; Teams 100+, race number 1200-1299;
Swim wave 9: start time 7.45am; Teams 100+, race number 1300-1399;
Cut-off Times
All competitors who do not reach the allocated distances by the set cut-off times are required leave the water. After these cut-off times, swimmers are recorded as "did not finish" (DNF) and must leave the water immediately. These times have been set in accordance with the safety requirements of the Authorities governing the event, and must be adhered to. Swimmers who do not leave the water will face disqualification (DSQ) and may be blacklisted from the event.
10km - 1210hrs
15km - 1435hrs
18km - 1550hrs
19km - 1620hrs
Beginning of 400m finish channel - 1630hrs
Finish line - 1700hrs
Prizes
Age category prize winners will receive notification to each member of the duo/team via SMS, at approximately 2pm on event day and have until 5pm to collect their prize from the Help Desk situated at the finish line area, Rottnest Island.
Overall category prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place getters in the solo, duo (female, male, and mixed) and team (female, male and mixed) categories only. Overall category prizes are awarded irrespective of which age category was entered (eg. 56+ or 100+). Overall category prize winners are not entitled to age category prizes.
Presentations
The presentation ceremony will be held on the beach in front of Hotel Rottnest at 5.30pm on event day.
All successful solo swimmers and overall category prize winners are requested to assemble at the front of the presentation stage at least 20 minutes prior to presentations.
A photograph of all solo swimmers will be taken before the start of the presentations at 5.00pm.