The event

Important Race Information

The 2009 Rottnest Channel Swim is being held on 21st February. 

Minimum Age

The age limit for the 2009 Rottnest Channel Swim is a minimum of 14 years of age in accordance with a change in FINA rules for open water swimming (OWS 1.2).

Entries Open

Entries for the 2009 Rottnest Channel Swim will open on 3rd November 2008 at 8.00am.  Entries will be open until 5.30pm on the 7th November 2008.

Swimmers Details

On entry you will need to 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

Wetsuits and Rash Vests

Swimmers are not allowed to wear wetsuits.  In accordance to FINA rules, swimmers are not permitted to wear swimwear that can assist in buoyancy.  This includes wetsuits or anything made out of neoprene.  However swimmers are permitted to wear swim skins and rash vests.

Consequence of Duplicate Entries

Please do not try to gain entry by submitting more than one entry.  In fairness to everyone, if you submit more than one entry for your duo or team, the RCSA will place a ban on you and all your team members from entering the 2009 Rottnest Channel Swim for 2 years; the current event and the next event.

Refunds

Applications for a refund made before 31 December 2008 will entitle the applicant to a full refund (less any administration fees or charges).  Applications for refunds made on or after 1 January 2008 and up to and including the date of the main briefing, will entitle the applicant to a refund of 50% (less any administration fees and charges).  No refunds are available after the date of the main briefing.  Applications for refunds must be made in writing. 

Solos

All solo swimmers gain automatic entry into the event.  Entries close for solo swimmers on 30th November 2008. 

First time solo swimmers will be required to do a 10km qualifying swim in 4hrs and 15min or less. If you are not able to complete the 10km in the time required you will be given a refund minus the administration fee. 

For more information please click on the link www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au/other  

Successful solo swimmers who are residents of Western Australia will recieve applications for their customised number plates 3 weeks after race day.

Teams

A random ballot will be conducted to determine the teams of 2 and 4 who are successful in gaining entry into the 2009 event. Entry numbers are restricted for safety reasons.  

Categories for teams are as follows:

• 56+
• 100+
• 150+
• 200+

Categories for duos are as follows:

• 28+
• 50+
• 75+
• 100+

Charity Challenge Teams

There are only 30 places available in this category. 

For this you will receive:

• Meal and drinks at the VIP function over at Rottnest Island
• Lavan Legal Charity Challenge Race Pack
• Separate briefing - a breakfast briefing
• A donation will be made on your behalf to a charity of Lavan Legal's choice
• A photograph your team crossing the finish line printed and framed

If you are unsuccessful in the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge ballot, the entry will be transferred into the normal team category ballot.

Ballot System

The ballot is run several times until all places are filled.  Preference is given to some entries each year.  They are as follows:

• 5 places are held for current RCSA committee members
• 5 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

When the ballot has been run, an email will be sent notifying entrants if they are successful in gaining entry. 

If you are successful, you will have 7 days to go in and enter all your boat details and make payment.  If you do not complete this in 7 days, your entry will be put back into the ballot for the next round.

Briefing

It is compulsory that a swimmer from each team/duo and solos attend the 2009  Rottnest Channel Swim Briefing.  It is recommended that your skipper also attends the briefing.  It will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday February 3rd 2009 at Challenge Stadium in the Main Arena.

Support Boat

Solo swimmers require a support boat that is a minimum of 5m in length.  Duo and team swimmers require a support boat that is a minimum of 6m in length.  Call signs for solo swimmers and teams will be the swimmer/team number.  For example, if you are swimmer 100 then your call sign is swimmer 100 and if you are team 450 then your call sign will be team 450. 

The support boat information that is required to complete your entry and make payment is listed below:

• Name of boat
• Boat registration number#
• Boat length#
• Type of marine radio - 27Mhz or VHF#
• Mobile phone number on boat#
• Mooring location/number
• Boat skipper age#
• Boat skipper name#
• Boat skipper address#
• Boat skipper mobile number#
• Boat skipper BoatSmart Registration Number#

# compulsory information to complete your entry.

Start Times

The first wave of solo swimmers leaves Cottesloe Beach at 6.45am and the last wave of team swimmers leaves the beach at 8.45am.  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.

Swim Wave           Start Time and Category                               Race Number

1                        6.45am (female solos and seeded males)       1-199

2                        7.00am (rest of male solos)                              1-199

3                        7.15am - duos                                                 200-399

4                        7.30am 56+                                                     400-499

5                        7.30am 200+                                                   500-599

6                        7.45am 150+                                                   600-699

7                        8.00am 150+                                                   700-899

8                        8.15am 100+                                                   900-999

9                        8.30am 100+                                                   1000-1099

Cut off Times

All competitors who have been in the water longer than the allocated cut-off time are required to leave the water.  After these cut-off times, official vessels no longer provide support and insurance no longer covers the event.

• 10km - 1315hrs
• 15km - 1530hrs
• Beginning of 400 finish channel - 1730hrs
• Finish line - 1800hrs