Swimmer Info

Race Rules for the SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim 2022

This information is subject to change and will continue to be updated – (last updated 20th August, 2021)

1. An official online entry must be completed by each swimmer, swimmer’s guardian, or team within the Ballot Period of 1-10 October 2021. Completion of the online entry form represents acceptance of these Race Rules and the event Terms and Conditions.
2. All swimmers, or their Legal Guardian if under 18 years, must check-in at the beachfront marquee on the Busselton Foreshore on either:
   1. Saturday 12th February 2022 between 10:00am and 6:00pm (preferred); OR
   2. Sunday 13th February 2022 between 6:00am and 8:00am.
3. Check-in by proxy is not permitted.
4. Swimmers must be at least 8 years of age on race day. Swimmers 12 years of age and under must provide proof of completing and passing stage 8 (as per Royal Life Saving) or equivalent to be eligible to swim in the event. Parents or guardians are required to email swim stage proof to juniors@busseltonjettyswim.org.au
5. The following age categories apply for males and females : under 15; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79, 80-84, 85 and over. Age category is based on age on race day.
6. Relay members must physically tag their teammate at the relay change-over point. Race marshals will be present to monitor the relay changeovers.
7. Swimmers or support craft are not permitted to go under any part of the Jetty unless directed by Race Officials.Wetsuits and/or swimming aids are permitted but wearers will not be eligible for awards.
8. Wetsuits and/or swimming aids are permitted but wearers will not be eligible for awards.
9. Wetsuits and/or swimming aids must be declared on the entry form. Swim-aids include: flippers, snorkels, wetsuits, pull buoys, speed-suits.
10. Swimsuits must be FINA approved.
11. Swim caps indicating starting wave and team category will be supplied and must be worn.
12. Swimmers will be required to have their race number tattoo displayed on their front left thigh and left arm.
13. All swimmers will be given a timing band to be worn on their left ankle.
14. Solo swimmers and the last sswimmer in each team will be timed as they cross the timing mats at the beach finish. Swimmers finishing on the jetty must walk over the timing mat at the foot of the jetty to “check-out” of the swim and hand in their timing band.
15. Swimmers withdrawing from the event on race day must present themselves at the Check-in desk and confirm their withdrawal.
16. Failure to return a timing band will result in a $25 penalty payable at the check-in desk on the day.
17. On water safety and support is provided by Surf Life Saving and personal support paddlers are no longer permitted, however if you feel you have a special need requiring your own personal support or provisions this must be indicated as part of your online entry under ‘special needs’.
18. A swimmer may be disqualified at the discretion of the race organisers for contravening the race rules or for unsporting conduct or a breach of the Swimmer Code of Conduct.
19. If a member of a team cannot swim on the day, a replacement may be approved at the Check-in desk for a team member only, not for solo entrants or whole teams. The replacement team swimmer must fill in an entry form and sign the waiver at the Check-in desk. Note, limited changes to team swimmers apply.
20. The event organisers reserve the right to cap numbers or close entries early.
21. The organisers of the swim, Busselton Allsports Inc., reserve the right to accept or reject any entry at their discretion and also to issue special invitations.
22. If there is any dispute as to:
    1. The race distance, starting, existing or finishing points;
    2. Finishing times or finishing positions or making of awards or placing or positioning of participants;
    3. Information provided in any trophy, medal or award; or
    4. Compliance with or interpretation or application of any race rule

    the Organisation’s decision will be final and binding.

Pandemic Refund Policy

If Federal or State or other legal restrictions are imposed resulting in the cancellation of Busselton Jetty Swim 2022, the following options of swimmer fees will be offered:

1. Full refund less a $15 administration fee ($5 for the Kid’s Swim) will be offered and transferred to the nominated account within 14 working days of the cancellation announcement of the event.
2. Donation of swimmer fee to Busselton Allsports Inc. (Busselton Jetty Swim) to help ensure the continuation of our event into the future. You can choose to donate your entry fee to the Organisation and in return you will receive an early bird opportunity to enter the event in 2023. For those taking up this option, a 48 hour ‘window’ will be made available for you to enter the event prior to the general public. You will be required to pay an entry fee when registering for the 2023 event, however your entry fee will be frozen at 2022 rates to thank you for your support.

Where the relevant restrictions only result in a reduction in the number of possible participants and not in a complete cancellation of the event, we reserve the right to allocate the reduction (and cancel swimmer registrations) in such way as we see fit in order to preserve the safety of competitors and the integrity and continuation of the event. We will try to do this as fairly as we reasonably can. In these circumstances, cancelled swimmers will be entitled to refunds on the same principles set out above.

Please note, any donations pledged to Busselton Jetty Environment Fund by swimmers when entering the event are non-refundable.

Participants in the Busselton Jetty Swim are expected to adhere to the following Swimmer Code of Conduct at all times, not just on event day:

1. Read and understand the Event Terms & Conditions prior to registering.
2. Follow the Race Rules at all times. Understand that many are in place for the safety of all participants, event volunteers, officials, staff and contractors.
3. Understand that some decisions are made for the greater good rather than any individual circumstance.
4. Be respectful of event volunteers, officials, staff and contractors. All are giving their time to ensure the enjoyment of swimmers and the success of the event.
5. Verbal, cyber or physical abuse is not acceptable at any time or through any medium.
6. Respect the rights and dignity of all involved regardless of their gender, ability, age, ethnicity, cultural background or religion.
7. Use the appropriate Race Rules and event Terms and Conditions as guidelines to resolve any dispute.
8. Follow directions and instructions from officials and volunteers on event day.
9. Be a good sport – recognise the efforts of all involved.
10. Respect our environment, including the jetty, the beach and of course the ocean you swim in. Do no harm.
11. Participate for your own fun, enjoyment and the many benefits associated with it.

The Busselton Jetty Swim is delivered by a committee of dedicated volunteers with support from contractors. In order to support all volunteers and staff who work on this event:

1. The Committee reserves the right to refuse entry to any person deemed to be in breach of this Swimmer Code of Conduct; and
2. The Committee will impose a sanction consisting of a two-year event ban for any person deemed to be deliberately in breach of this Swimmer Code of Conduct, the Race Rules or any of the Event Terms & Conditions.
3. The Committee may also impose a lesser sanction for an unintentional breach at its discretion.

Considerable effort goes into maximising the safety of participants in this event.

On-water safety is co-ordinated by the Busselton Surf Life Saving Club with assistance from other surf life-saving clubs.

Surf Life Saving (SLS) have jet skis, IRB’s, surf skis, board paddlers, spotters on the jetty, life-saving equipment and radio communications. They are highly trained for this role and are your first option if you need help in the water. Raise your arm to attract attention.

Follow the yellow buoys and keep a safe distance away from the Jetty. If you stray too far off course SLS will guide you back.

Tired swimmers may hang on to a ski or a float. You will not be disqualified unless your forward progress is aided.

Swimmers or support craft are not permitted to go under any part of the Jetty unless directed by race officials.

All vessels in the vicinity of the event must comply with and abide by the Navigable Waters Regulations. Race officials will enforce and police these regulations as part of the overall safety provisions for the Event. Unauthorised craft may not enter the swim exclusion zone (within 250m of the Jetty).

This event has been granted a part exemption from these regulations for bona fide support craft only.

The surrounds of the swim will be patrolled for sharks prior to and during the Event. A pilot and spotter will be in continuous radio contact with the SLS Water Safety Coordinator.

The on the water emergency evacuation signals are: 3 short air horn blasts; raised red flags by spotters on the jetty; and continuous whistles by surf ski paddlers. If you see or hear any of these signals, please exit the swim as directed by SLS personnel. There are ladders every 75m along the Jetty marked with banner flags. Landings are marked by large pink buoys. Please follow directions given by the SLS officers on the water or via the public address system on land. The emergency muster point is near the stage.

Personal support paddlers, vessels or personnel are not permitted. If you feel you have a special need requiring your own support or provisions, prior written permission from the Organisation must be obtained. This request must be made as part of your online entry under ‘special needs’.

Support must be pre-approved and are required to attend the SLS briefing and wear the hi-viz vest provided.

An exclusion zone will be in effect under control of the Department of Transport. Paddlers breaching the exclusion zone may be subject to cautions or fines.

Concerned swimmers should be prepared and take personal measures for protection.

If you need help please attend the St John Ambulance first aid post adjacent to the Check-in area and at the base of the jetty. This is staffed with a paramedic and ambulance.

Water and fresh fruit are available at the finish.

Please use sunscreen, which is available at the first aid tent. Wear hats, cover up and seek shade.

The Busselton Jetty Swim 2022 is a non-smoking, alcohol and drug-free event.

Footwear is recommended when walking on the jetty. Watch out for the railway tracks.

The Jetty Train will commence operating at 11am

This is an ocean swim. You swim in an uncontrolled, natural environment. The weather, sea conditions and sea life, your own exertions and numerous other factors all introduce an element of risk. The organizers go to considerable lengths to keep you safe but ultimately it is your choice to swim. Your welfare is your personal responsibility or the responsibility of your legal guardian.

If you are not officially entered in the SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim 2022 please do not swim while the event is in progress.

Please ask one of the event crew in the Green Crew T shirts.

This information is still subject to change and will continue to be updated – last updated 20th August, 2021

SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim’s focus is on swimmer safety and to accommodate the number of swimmers in 2022, the main 3.6 kilometre swim around the jetty will be a self-seeded rolling start for solo and relay swimmers.

You must wear the swim cap provided.  It indicates your estimated swim time and should enable you to swim with swimmers of similar ability.

Prior to the rolling start there will be 50 Gold Cap swimmers who will start en masse at 8:00am.

3.6km solo swimmers and relay teams swimmers will start on the beach with a rolling start in intervals commencing at 8:01am in the following order:

Please assemble on the beach in your holding bay according to cap colour by 7.45am. Beach marshals will direct you to your starting group location. Please allow enough time to move into place.

One Mile Swim to Shore – Will commence with a rolling start at 09:30am and friends will be able to swim together.

The Kids Swim starts at 11:00am in waves of eight, at 30 second intervals.

The finish is marked with two large chequered buoys. Use these to align yourself with the finish chute.

Timing bands are collected as you leave the finish area. Continue up the ramp for your finishers towel and follow the instruction of volunteers to fruit and water.

Provisional times will be available via Live Tracker on your mobile. Official race times will be available at the presentation and on our results page

The Organisers will use their best endeavours to provide all swimmers with a finisher’s award either as they exit the finish area or as they exit the Busselton Jetty. No awards will be posted or sent.

Age category is based on age on race day.

Award presentations at 12:15pm (approx.) at the main stage. Swim category winners to proceed to the stage at 11:45am.

Trophies are awarded as per the award list below. Trophies must be collected at the official awards presentation (in person or by proxy). No trophies will be posted or sent.

The Kids Swim is a participation event. Every swimmer in the Kids Swim receives a medallion. No other prizes are awarded.

The following awards will be made at the organiser’s discretion and are subject to change at any time.

BREAK THE RACE RECORDS: A bonus $1500 cash award is on offer for the fastest solo male to break the existing male solo 3.6km swim record and the fastest solo female to break the existing female solo 3.6km swim record.  GNOT (Gaining No Other Trophy) does not apply to this bonus award.

NOTE: Swimmers using swim-aids (including wetsuits, speed-suits, flippers, snorkels, pull buoys) are ineligible for race awards.

Awards for the 3.6km Solo Jetty Swim

Awards are allocated in the following order gaining no other trophy (GNOT)

All swimmers (or their Legal Guardian if under 18 years) must check-in IN PERSON* at the Beachfront Marquee on either:

1. Saturday 12th February between 10:00 – 18:00 OR
2. Sunday 13th February between 06:00 – 08:00.

1. When entering the check-in tent, please wear a mask;
2. Please use the hand sanitiser to clean your hands;
3. Check in using our QR code via SafeWA or ServiceWA App or manually on the contact register.
4. Present your e-ticket (emailed to you during event week);
5. Present photo ID;
6. Have your proof of double vaccination or medical exemption ready to present to the check-in volunteer.

1. Your swim cap, timing band, wristband and tattoo. (Please note that there is a $25 replacement fee for lost timing bands).

ALL swimmers of Busselton Jetty Swim 2022 over the age of 16 years of age (as at 13 February, 2022) will be required to provide proof of double vaccination at check-in on the event weekend as part of the WA’s Safe Transition Plan.

We are NOT requiring proof of vaccination prior to the weekend however the expectation will be for swimmers to provide proof of double vaccination at check-in using the WA Government app; hard copy or digital copy of the COVID-19 certificate.

* Please note, for underage swimmers a parent or guardian’s photo ID will be accepted.

In 2022, Busselton Jetty Swim participants will have access to additional protection as part of their entry.

Automatic personal accident insurance

Personal accident cover is included for all participants as part of their entry fee. Benefits include death & permanent injuries, non-Medicare medical expenses and loss of income following an injury occurring whilst participating in the SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim 2022.

Please note:Personal accident insurance has been arranged by SRG Group Pty Ltd on a group basis without taking into account individual circumstances.

This cover provides benefits to purchasers who, through injury or accident, incur financial loss and who would otherwise not have received assistance. The policy cannot provide 100% cover of a benefit for every loss that occurs. Federal Government legislation prevents insurance companies from paying any insurance benefit for a medical service that is covered by Medicare. This legislation also applies to the Medicare gap. In addition to this Personal accident insurance all participants are encouraged to consider taking out Private Health insurance, income protection insurance and life insurance if their individual circumstances require it.

Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Should you wish to make a claim:

Complete a claim form CLICK HERE to download – and submit as instructed in the document.  You may like to contact the Account Director of Sports & Events, Steve Wells via email stevew@srggroup.com.au

The SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim 2022 will cap team entries at 100 x 2 person relay teams and 50 x 4 person relay teams

Teams entry is via ballot only during the Ballot Period which opens at 6:00am Friday 1st October 2021 and closes at 11.59pm (AWST) on Sunday 10th October 2021.

Individuals may register for the Ballot for one distance ONLY – you may not register for a solo swim AND a team swim.

Following closure of the Ballot, anyone found to have duplicate entries (including team members) will be removed from the Ballot and banned from the event for a period of two years. If the duplicate Ballot registration is a member of a team, that team will not be eligible for the Ballot and the person/people with duplicates will be banned for a period of two years.

No registrations will be accepted following closure of the Ballot Period (excluding Kids Swim).

Team entries must be complete (all swimmers nominated) at the time of registration. Limited swimmer changes will be permitted after successful event entry, ie. no more than two changes for teams of four and no more than one change for teams of two.

All Ballot entries (successful and unsuccessful) will be notified by email on Friday 15th October 2021.

Unsuccessful Ballot entries will form the Waitlist and be promoted as other teams withdraw from the Event.

The under-jetty platforms located 1 km along the jetty will be used for the first and third transitions of 4 person relay teams.

The second transition for 4 person relay teams is at the Underwater Observatory Ramp.

The 4 person relay swim distances are: first swimmer 1.0 km, second swimmer 1.0 km, third swimmer 0.6 km, fourth swimmer 1.0 km.

Allies landing is the transition point for the 2 person relay swim.

The 2 person relay swim distances are: first swimmer 1.4 km, second swimmer 2.2 km

Teams may be created by a team captain.

For information on what details are required for each swimmer please see our FAQ page.

At the relay change-over points, relay members must physically tag their team-mate.

Race officials will be present to monitor the relay changeovers.

Swimmers finishing or starting on the Jetty must be able to get to their start point, climb a ladder to exit the water and jump or climb down a ladder to enter the water.

For information on what details are required for each swimmer please see our FAQ page

Swimmers may enter for a 3.6km solo swim, a relay team of 2, a relay team of 4, the One Mile Swim to Shore (a 1.6km solo swim) or the Kid’s Swim.

The swim course is marked with yellow buoys. Swimmers should use these as a guide.

Swimmers or support craft are not permitted to go under any part of the Busselton Jetty unless directed by Race Officials.

Don’t get lost at the Busselton Jetty Swim.  Download our site map, which shows the whereabouts of services on the Busselton beachfront.

Download “2022 Site Map” 2022-Site-map.jpg – Downloaded 14 times – 286 KB

There wouldn’t be many swims anywhere that you could start one mile out to sea to swim back to the beach, that’s jumping in at the deep end!

Swimmers will enter the water on the western side of the Jetty, from the ramp near the Underwater Observatory, and will swim back to the beach to finish. That’s a distance of approximately 1.6km (or 1 Mile). NOTE: Swimmers must be able to walk the 1.6km to the start and jump or climb into the water from the ramp (about 1 metre).

There are 800 individual (solo) places available and entry is via ballot only during the Ballot Period which opens at 6:00am Friday 1st October 2021 and closes at 11.59pm (AWST) on Sunday 10th October 2021.

Individuals may register in the Ballot for one distance ONLY (ie. Solo, team or One Mile Swim to Shore).

Following closure of the Ballot, anyone found to have duplicate entries (including team members) will be removed from the Ballot and banned from the event for a period of two years. If the duplicate Ballot registration is a member of a team, that team will not be eligible for the Ballot and the person/people with duplicates will be banned for a period of two years.

No registrations will be accepted for the One Mile Swim to Shore following closure of the Ballot Period.

Please use the following information as a guide.

It is still subject to change so check back for updates.

1. The swim is scheduled to start at 9:30am. We suggest you allow half an hour to walk out. There is no rush. Swimmers self-seed and your time will not start until you cross the timing mat as you enter the water.
2. This will be a rolling start, with friends able to swim together.
3. We anticipate all swimmers will be in the water within 30 minutes and no swimmers will be allowed to commence 40 minutes after the official start.
4. Please do not enter the ramp until you are directed to do so by race officials. The 4 person relay teams will also be using the ramp so we want to make sure they are able to complete their event first.
5. To avoid congestion, spectators will not be allowed on the ramp until all swimmers are in the water.
6. The official race cut-off time is 11am. If you have not finished the swim by 11am you must leave the water if instructed to do so by a race official.
7. There will be a bag drop at the One Mile start for any clothes/shoes you wear for the walk out. Please no valuables!! Your bag will be transferred back to the bag drop area in the check-in tent after the start. Please label your bag with your race number so it can be easily identified for collection post-event. If you are a fast swimmer you may need to wait a while for your bag!

For any enquiries, contact rego@busseltonjettyswim.org.au

• Can’t stop yawning
• Begin to blink
• Start squinting
• Have trouble keeping your head up
• Eyes close for a moment or go out of focus
• Wandering, disconnected thoughts
• Can’t remember driving the last few kilometres
• You have slowed unintentionally
• Break too late
• Drift over the centre line or to the left or right

Some suggested resources to manage your fatigue and prepare for the drive to and from the event.