Event Weekend

All swimmers must check-in in person to receive their registration pack which includes swim cap, timing band, and race number tattoo. 

You need to bring: 

•  Photo ID 
•  eTicket. (This will be emailed to you the week prior to the swim.)

You will be asked to sign an event waiver before receiving your registration pack, which means you can not collect a pack on behalf of another swimmer, except if you are the legal guardian of a participants under the age of 18 years.

The Busselton Jetty Swim check-in tent will be open

• Saturday 8 February from 9:00am – 5:00pm 
• Sunday 9 February from 6:00am – 7:00am 

Please note: swimmers participating in the Kids Swim, Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim, and the Team swim must check-in on Saturday 8 February before 1pm 

Please note: for underage swimmers a parent/guardian’s photo ID will be accepted.

The check-in tent is located in Signal Park on the Busselton Foreshore. 

To enjoy the event please be sure to bring the following items to the event and check-in

Check-in 

• Photo ID  and
• eTicket. This will be emailed to you the week prior to the swim.  

Race Day

• Swim suit
• Race Tattoos*
• Timing Band*
• Swimming Cap *
• Sunscreen
• Googles
• Water Bottle
• Pre-race Snack
• Clothes for after event
• Gold coin for Parking and Bag Drop

*Provided at Registration

Times and location of swims are below.

Please note: There is a compulsory briefing prior to beginning of each swim, which provides important instructions about your swim. It is essential that you are present for this briefing. 

Solo Swim 3.6km – 8.00am, Sunday Feb 9th

Gold Cap swimmers will start en masse at 8.00am

There will be a rolling start for the remaining 3.6km swimmers from 8:01 am. 

Please assemble on the beach in your holding bay according to cap colour by 7:45 am. Beach marshals will direct you to your starting group location. 

Swimmers will be provided with a coloured swimming cap to indicate their wave.

Please note

• You must wear the swim cap provided. It indicates your estimated swim time and should enable you to swim with swimmers of similar ability.
• You provide your estimated finish time during registration. 
• Times band will begin/register when swimmers cross the timing mat 

One Mile Swim to Shore – 9.30am, Sunday Feb 9th

Commence with a self-seeded rolling start

• Swimmers can enter the water via one of 2 ladders form the platform
• Friends and family can swim together

Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim – 2:00pm, Saturday Feb 8th

• Beach start with a self-seeded rolling start 
• Friends and family can swim together

Team Swims – 2:00pm, Saturday Feb 8th

• Beach start with a self-seeded rolling start 

Kids Swim – 1.30pm, Saturday Feb 8th

• The Kids Swim will start in waves of 8 at 45 second intervals.

EVERY swimmer must wear their timing band, race number tattoo and allocated swim cap at all times during the race.  This includes every swimmer in every team.

Timing Bands 

All swimmers are provided with a timing band which must be worn on their left wrist during the entire race.

The time bands 

1. Accurately record the time from when you cross the timing matts at the start and finish lines 
2. Ensure event organisers can account for all swimmers.

If you decide to withdraw during the event you MUST proceed to the finish lines and provide your timing band to an event official

Timing bands are collected as you leave the finish area.

Race Tattoos 

EVERY swimmer, including all team members, must display their race number tattoo on their front left thigh and left arm at all times during the race. 

Please apply your race number tattoo vertically on:

• FRONT left thigh (preferred option), AND
• FRONT left arm
• Tattoos may be applied to a wetsuit.

Swimming Caps

Swim caps will be supplied to indicate starting wave and team category and must be worn at all times during the swim.

For more info see Starting Waves

Click to view or download a copy via this link

• The finish is marked with two large chequered buoys, which you can use to align yourself with the finish chute.
• Once you cross the finish line, proceed up the ramp and follow the instructions of volunteers.
• Timing bands are collected as you leave the finish area. 
• Volunteers will provide you will your finishers towel or medal
• Fresh fruit and water will be available. 
• Provisional times will be available on the event website. 
• Official race times will be available at the presentation and on our results page.

Withdrawing during the swim

If you withdraw during the race or decide not to swim, you must notify an event official as soon as possible. Please proceed to the finish line and return your timing band to an event official

If you withdraw during the race or decide not to swim, you must notify an event official as soon as possible. Please proceed to the finish line and return your timing band to an event official

All swimmers receive a finisher item as they exit the finish area.

• Participants in the 3.6km Swim, One Mile Swim to Shore, and Team Swim receive a towel. 
• Participants in the Kids Swim and Simon’s 500m Shortcut Swim receive a medallion 

Prizes are also awarded for the Solo Swim 3.6km, One Mile Swim to Shore, and Team Swim (see categories below). 

Please note awards will be presented near the finish line throughout the morning as results are confirmed. Please listen for announcements.  Awards will not be posted or sent.

Award Categories

• Trophies are awarded as per the award list below.
• Age category is based on age on race day.
• Swimmers using swim-aids (including wetsuits, speed-suits, flippers, snorkels, pull buoys) are ineligible for race awards.
• Break the race records: A bonus $1500 cash award is on offer for the fastest solo male to break the existing male Solo Swim 3.6km record and the fastest solo female to break the existing female Solo Swim 3.6km record. GNOT (Gaining No Other Trophy) does not apply to this bonus award.
• Awards are allocated in the following order gaining no other trophy (GNOT)

Solo Swim 3.6KM Awards

• 1st Open Male
• 1st Open Female
• 2nd Open Male
• 2nd Open Female
• 3rd Open Male
• 3rd Open Female
• 1st Busselton Male
• 1st Busselton Female
• 1st Under 15 Male
• 1st Under 15 Female
• 1st 15-19 Male
• 1st 15-19 Female
• 1st 20-24 Male
• 1st 20-24 Female
• 1st 25-29 Male
• 1st 25-29 Female
• 1st 30-34 Male
• 1st 30-34 Female
• 1st 35-39 Male
• 1st 35-39 Female
• 1st 40-44 Male
• 1st 40-44 Female
• 1st 45-49 Male
• 1st 45-49 Female
• 1st 50-54 Male
• 1st 50-54 Female
• 1st 55-59 Male
• 1st 55-59 Female
• 1st 60-64 Male
• 1st 60-64 Female
• 1st 65-69 Male
• 1st 65-69 Female
• 1st 70-74 Male
• 1st 70-74 Female
• 1st 75-79 Male
• 1st 75-79 Female
• 1st 80-84 Male
• 1st 80-84 Female
• 1st 85 and over Male
• 1st 85 and over Female

2 Person Team Awards 

• 1st 2 Person Team

4 Person Team Awards 

• 1st 4 Person Team

One Mile Swim to Shore Awards

• 1st Open Male
• 2nd Open Male
• 3rd Open Male
• 1st Open Female
• 2nd Open Female
• 3rd Open Female

For the rules of the swim and terms and conditions of entry go to the swim rules page

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The safety of our participants is our priority.  Our event management includes the following protocols and processes.

On-Water Safety

On-water safety is coordinated 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.

Participants and spectators may not swim or stand in the cordoned off area near the finish line that is needed for essential Surf Life Saving personnel and equipment.

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.

Aerial Patrol

Prior to and during Sunday’s events, an aerial patrol is undertaken to monitor for large marine species. The helicopter pilot and spotter are in continuous radio contact with the SLS Water Safety Coordinator and Race Director.

Please note that whilst water safety provisions are made for Saturday’s events (500m, Team  & Kids Swim), the helicopter patrols are not in place on this day.

Evacuation

Should the water need to be evacuated, several emergency evacuation signals will activated:

• 3 short air horn blasts
• Red flags will be raised 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.  These flags are numbered to assist with evacuation and emergency responses.   

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 in the grass amphitheatre, adjacent to Shelter Brewery.

Personal Support Craft

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 paddlers must be pre-approved and are required to attend the SLS briefing and wear the hi-viz vest provided.  All support paddlers must see event officials at check in. 

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.

Stingers

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

Preventative measures include wearing a stinger suit or rash vest and applying protective lotion. 

If stung, please attend a first aid station or seek advice from a Surf Life Saver.

First Aid

If you need help please attend the first aid posts adjacent to the Recovery area and at the base of the jetty.  

Fluid & Energy Replacement

Water and fresh fruit are available at the finish.

Sun

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

Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs

The Busselton Jetty Swim is a non-smoking, alcohol and drug-free event.  this includes vaping and the use of e-cigarettes.

Personal Responsibility

This is an ocean swim and you will 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 organisers 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 Busselton Jetty Swim please do not swim while the event is in progress.

For Further Information

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

• A bag drop service for a gold coin donation and is available for all swimmers.
• The service is run by volunteers from the Busselton Hocky club, and all proceeds are donated to the club.
• The service is located on the foreshore

One Mile Swim to Shore: Bag Check

• A bag drop service is also available at the start of the One Mile Swim to Shore event.
• A bag will be provided and will fit a water bottle, t-shirt, hat, thongs and phone.
• Bags will be transferred the main bag check tent
• Please note, fast swimmers may reach the foreshore before their bags, so they may be a delay in receiving your bag.

• ACROD Parking map
• accessible toilets
• drop off points
• beach wheelchair
• resources information
• caps
• MRBTA
• FAQs

Limited parking is available at the event site for a gold coin donation. 

Please consider car pooling and/or be prepared to walk.

Parking Map <link>