Media Release – 29 August 2024
WEST AUSTRALIA’S MOST LOVED SWIM IS TURNING 30
When Max Higgins suggested organising a swim around Busselton’s beloved jetty to his wife Jenny, she was sceptical that anyone would want to swim that far.
Fast forward to today and Busselton Jetty Swim’s organising committee is ready to open registrations for the 30th event which will see 3,500 people take on the signature 3.6km Solo Swim.
Busselton Jetty Swim has become Western Australia’s most loved open water swimming event, attracting swimmers from around the globe. While the inaugural event had just 82 participants, it is now held annually over two days with more than 5,0000 swimmers of all ages and abilities participating in range of distances.
President of Busselton Jetty Swim’s volunteer organising committee, Kat Rafferty, said that what differentiated the event from other open water swims was its focus on community.
“Busselton Jetty Swim is swim for everybody, it is everybody’s swim,” she said.
“The event is all about participation, so whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just looking to challenge yourself, there is a distance to you. Plus, you won’t find a more supportive, inclusive or friendly event – it’s what keeps people coming back year after year.”
To cater for Busselton Jetty Swim’s growing popularity, the event continues to evolve, and Kat announced several changes facing the 2025 event.
“Every year we are overwhelmed by demand for entries so over the years we have expanded the number of categories, spread the event to two days and introduced a ballot system to register for our Sunday events.”
” To increase the number of entries available this year we’ve decided to dedicate Sunday to the solo swimmers and move our team events to Saturday. This means we’ll run the 3.6km solo swim and the one mile swim to shore on Sunday 9 Feb and the rest of our events on Saturday 8th.”
“We are also introducing a virtual swim for anyone who can’t make it to Busselton who wants to set themselves a challenge.”
The One Mile Swim to Shore involves jumping off the end of the Jetty and swimming 1.6km to the finish line and will be on Sunday with registration via the ballot. In additional to the team events, Saturday programme will include Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim and the Kids Swim.
Kat said the committee was excited to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Busselton Jetty Swim and planned to make more announcements about the event in coming months.
“We’ve secured an incredible ambassador, and a fantastic headliner for our free sunset concert – it going to a great weekend, and we can’t wait!”
The 30th Busselton Jetty Swim will be held on the 8th & 9th February. The online ballot will be open from October 1 to 9, 2024. For more information or to enter the ballot go to busseltonjettyswim.org.au.
Additional info
- Busselton Jetty Swim 2025 is on the weekend of 8th and 9th February 2025
- Over 5000 swimmers participate across all categories (Solo Swim, One Mile Swim to Shore, Team Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim, Kids Swim).
- Distances range from 500m to 3.6km.
- A record 3,500 people will swim the 3.6km solo swim around the Jetty
- The Event is spread across two days.
Day 1 (Saturday 8th February):
- Kids Swim – Dedicated kids event for 8 to 12 year olds around the Busselton Swimming Jetty. Distance is 222m.
- Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim – offers the perfect introduction to open water swimming for any age or ability.
- Team Event – two or four person team swim a total of 3.6km
Day 2 (Sunday 9th February)
- 3.6km solo– our signature 3.6km swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty (3,500 entrants)
- One Mile Swim to Shore – – participants walk to end of the jetty then swim one mile (1.6km) back to shore.
- Entry to Sunday’s events are by online ballot entry only.
- Ballot will be open from 1st October until 9th October AWST
- Participants can enter one category only: Solo Swim or One Mile Swim to Shore
- Places will be randomly allocated and announced on Monday 16th October.
- Those who are not initially successful will be advised of their place on the waitlist.
- Ballots were introduced to reduce the technological issues due to high demand when entries open. Now there is no rush to try and secure a place!
- Entries for the Kids Swim, Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim and team events will open on 16th October 2024 and will remain open until 21st January 2024, unless sold out sooner.
- A Sunset concert will be held on Saturday 9th February in collaboration with City of Busselton’s Shift Crew Youth Battle of the Bands finals.
- Anyone aged 8 and above on the day of the swim can enter.
- Children aged 8-12 must have achieved Level 8 swimming lessons or above.
For further information visit busseltonjettyswim.org.au
