The 2026 Rottnest Channel Swim has been cancelled after organisers ruled that forecast winds and sea conditions would make the 19.7-kilometre crossing unsafe. Around 2,500 swimmers were expected to race from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island, but officials called off the event about 14 hours before the scheduled start.
The Rottnest Channel Swim Association said the decision was made for safety reasons after updated forecasts showed difficult conditions across the open-water route. Participants were notified by SMS after the cancellation was confirmed.
Why organisers cancelled the swim
Race officials were concerned about winds expected to reach 18 to 20 knots near the coast, with conditions likely to become tougher farther offshore. In a long-distance ocean swim, stronger winds can create heavy chop, slow swimmers, increase fatigue and make support-boat operations more difficult.
Race director Rob Herkes said the forecast did not provide a safe environment for swimmers, paddlers, skippers, volunteers and safety crews. With thousands of people involved on the water, the race committee decided the risk was too high to proceed.
A rare decision for a major WA event
The Rottnest Channel Swim is one of Western Australia’s best-known endurance events. The course crosses open water between Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, and attracts solo swimmers, duos and relay teams each year.
The event has been cancelled outright only once before, in 2007, because of dangerous weather. It was also abandoned in 2024 after conditions worsened during the race.
For more context on how severe weather can disrupt major public events, see this report on dangerous wind conditions affecting large events.
No refunds, but 2027 entry options confirmed
The association said refunds will not be issued under the event terms and conditions. Team and duo registrations are not refundable after cancellation, and solo registrations were not eligible for refunds after November 28, 2025.
Organisers said the event also cannot be moved to another date because of the scale and cost of logistics, including safety planning, volunteers, medical teams, support craft and shipping-lane management.
Teams and duos registered for the 2026 event will be offered guaranteed entry for the 2027 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim. Solo swimmers will be offered priority entry for 2027.
Impact on swimmers and support crews
For competitors, the cancellation means months of training ended without a race start. Many swimmers had already arranged travel, accommodation and support crews before the final decision was made.
Organisers acknowledged the disappointment for participants who had trained and travelled for the event, but said safety remained the top priority.
Official details are available on the Rottnest Channel Swim 2026 cancellation notice.
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