She may have been the last swimmer across the finish line in 2025, but Linda Jones’ story is every bit as inspiring as some of our gold-cap athletes.
Growing up, Linda was never the sporty type. She enjoyed swimming -but only if her feet could touch the bottom. The thought of jumping from a jetty into deep water was absolutely terrifying. That fear stayed with her well into adulthood, until a back injury in 2019 led her to the pool for recovery and pain management.
After taking some lessons to improve her technique and build her confidence, Linda challenged herself to her first open water swim – Busselton Jetty Swim’s Simon’s 500m Short-Cut in 2023. Two years later, she entered the ballot for the One Mile Swim to Shore – and secured a spot!
Linda knew that meant facing her fear of jumping off jetties once and for all.
“What better way to conquer my fear than jumping from the southern hemisphere’s longest timber jetty and swimming 1.8km back to the beach,” she said.
Race day, however, brought another challenge.
“The conditions were so rough, and I certainly hadn’t trained for that,” Linda laughed.
“I saw people getting out, but I thought, I didn’t come all this way not to do it. And I’ve never felt prouder than when I jumped off that jetty, then crossed the finish line.”
Linda’s swim journey has not only given her new confidence in the ocean – it’s also led to a new career.
“After one of my swimming lessons, I noticed the teachers working with kids and it looked like so much fun. One thing led to another, and I’ve ended up becoming a children’s swimming teacher myself.”
Linda says helping kids find confidence in the water makes her job incredibly rewarding.
“No two kids are the same, and you’re always learning and adapting. I especially love teaching nervous kids, because I know how they feel, and can share my story with them.”
Her message to kids – or anyone thinking about taking on the Jetty Swim -is simple: “Just believe in yourself. If you think you can, you can – and you will.”
Whatever your distance, reason, or story – it’s your Jetty Swim. Enter Now