My stomach is in knots and I feel incredibly nervous about what lurks beneath the ocean and my fitness. I have done something crazy, I have committed to doing swim to Rotto (19.7km ocean swim) with my friend Kate.

I have done this event in a team of four twice before but now I am going to really challenge myself. The swim has become so popular that you are not guaranteed a spot in the race and selected on a ballot system. Fingers crossed we are selected, just not sure how my nerves will hold up!

About The Rottnest Channel Swim

Swim to Rotto is one of Western Australia’s iconic events, the Rottnest Channel Swim is a 19.7km open water swim from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island. The race can be done as a solo, duo or in a team of four and you need to have a support crew of a boat and a paddler.

Team event in 2009

My water polo buddies got together and participated in swim to Rotto for the first time in 2009. The conditions were perfect, the water was really flat and you could see the bottom of the ocean the whole way. I kept my paddler entertained as I gave him a running report on what I could see down below, while turning my head to take a breath I would yell out sting ray or jelly fish. Thankfully I never had to yell out shark!

Our team was doing really well for time until we realised we had drifted off course. Land was just in reach but the finish line was miles to the right of us. The only thing that keep me going was knowing there was Moet being chilled on the boat and waiting for us to drink it! We got back on track and finished the race in 7 hours and 22 minutes and came 6th in the all female team 100+ age group.

Team event in 2010

In 2010 the same group of girls did the event again however the conditions were terrible. The waves were really big and at one stage my paddler fell of his kayak and was struggling to get back on so I was stuck out in the middle of the ocean on my own. All I could think was that I was shark bait!!

Once we finally got close to shore I swam threw a school of jelly fish and they all went down my bathers. We crossed the line, had some photos and I could not get away quick enough to strip off and get the jelly fish out of my bathers!

We finished the race in 7 hours 31 minutes and came 4th in the all female team 100+ age group. Not a bad effort since the conditions were so bad.

The best bit was staying on the island and celebrating with all the competitors at the pub and then spending the following day on land, relaxing on the beach!

Fingers crossed we get into the race! Have you competed in an event like this?

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