GOOD LUCK 2021 YEARBOOK TO ALL SWIMMERS. WE’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE SOUTH32 RECOVERY ZONE. www.south32.net 32ND PARALLEL 32ND [Lavan ad] Only 19.7 km to go Contents President’s Message ............................................. 3 Sponsorship Information ....................................... 4 Records ................................................................ 5 2021 Champions of the Channel .......................... 6-7 2021 Rottnest Channel Solo Swimmers ............... 9-10 Participant Story - Stephanie Rowton .................. 11 Participant Story - Dean Kern ............................... 13 Participant Story - Mike and Shaun Oostryck ....... 14 2021 Rottnest Channel Duo Swimmers ................ 15-16 2021 Rottnest Channel Skippers ........................... 18-19 Ferry Timetable ..................................................... 20 Pre-Event Information Skipper Information ............................................... 22 Swimmer Safety ................................................... 23 Managing the Fleet ................................................ 24 Is your boat ready to go ........................................ 25 Paddler Information............................................... 26 The Serious Stuff The Start ................................................................ 2A The Channel ........................................................... 3A The Finish Channel and Finish Line ....................... 4A-5A Course Map ........................................................... 6A-7A PULL OUT AND TAKE WITH YOU Support Boat Information ...................................... 8A ON SWIM DAY Shark Awareness and Re-Entry ............................ 9A On Water Emergencies and Drone Rules .............. 10A Event Rules ........................................................... 11A Event Timeline ...................................................... 12A Swim Nutrition ...................................................... 27 2021 Rottnest Channel Team Swimmers ............. 28 Participant Story - Sally, Angela Mick and John ... 29 2021 T-Shirt Design Winner .................................. 30 2021 Rottnest Channel Team Swimmers CONT ... 31-38 Champs of the Bay ................................................ 39 Swim History ......................................................... 40-41 Looking Back at 2020 ............................................ 42 Lavan is proud to be a sponsor of Past Soloists ......................................................... 43-52 the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim lavan.com.au The South32 Rottnest Channel Swim is organised by Graphic Design: Definition – www.defn.com.au the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Inc. Maps: Definition – www.defn.com.au PRINTED ON Printing: Quality Press – www.qualitypress.com.au RECYCLED PAPER Executive Officer: Nic Blackburn – 8119 0919 / [email protected] Photography: Aussies In Action – www.aussiesinaction.com.au Event Publicist: Gemma Felton - 0411 060 006 /[email protected] Clip Media – www.clipmedia.com.au Event Officer: Rosie Oldham – 8119 0919/ [email protected] All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part Event Assistant: Briar Carter – 8119 0919 / [email protected] without written authority from the Rottnest Channel Swim Association. Every endeavour has been Advertising: Rottnest Channel Swim Association – 6555 3970 made to ensure the information contained within this magazine is correct at the time of going to print. Photo: Peta North rottnestchannelswim.com.au 1 PF 35213 Lavan Rottnest Channel Swim.indd 1 18/11/17 11:26 am President’s Message On behalf of all at the Rottnest Channel Swim Association (RCSA), I An event such as this does not just happen overnight and many of our would like to welcome you to the 2021 edition of the South32 Rottnest participants may not appreciate the amount of work that goes into the Channel Swim . safe running of the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim. I would like to thank our small team at the RCSA of Nic Blackburn and Rosie Oldham The past year has presented the world with challenges never seen who I place a great deal of trust in to ensure the event runs smoothly. before. We in Australia and in particular WA, have been blessed in that Additionally, a big thankyou to Michael Hodder who left our small team we have remained relatively isolated from the effects of Covid-19. As late last year. a result, we have been able to continue largely unfettered in our pursuit of the great Australian lifestyle. This includes access to our beaches, A further thank you to the Committee of the RCSA who, in their pools and the great outdoors where many have continued to train with volunteer capacity, are constantly on call to make decisions on behalf their eyes set upon the 2021 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim. of the RCSA as well as lend their assistance to Nic and Rosie. We at the RCSA are acutely aware of the importance of this day on Finally, I would like to thank both our amazing volunteers who help the WA sporting calendar and the opportunity it provides to thousands us, not only on race day, but in the lead-up to event, and our sponsors of people each year to complete a remarkable achievement. To that who share our vision for a safe and rewarding day for all involved. A end, I am pleased to confirm that, at one month out from the swim, special thankyou to Mr Graham Kerr and his team at South32 for their we are on track for a full-scale event with no restrictions on numbers. support of this iconic West Australian event. However, the safety of all involved in the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim is always paramount to the RCSA and its operation of the I wish you all the best of luck as you undertake this daring challenge event. Accordingly, we will take all measures required to ensure such and I look forward to seeing you at the Rottnest Island finish line! safety including restrictions necessitated by changes in the status of Covid-19 within WA. Iain McCarrey President of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee members (from left to right): Shane Cartwright, Iain McCarrey, Rosie Oldham (staff), Kirsty Bellombra, Joe Bennett, Olivia Williams, Bec Johnson, Rhys Spicer, Nic Blackburn (staff) and Tess Fisher. A Round of Applause! We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the following people who help make this year’s Event possible with their time, knowledge and support in the lead up to and on Event day. We consider you all part of the Rotto Swim family and the 2021 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim wouldn’t be the same without you! - RCSA committee and staff - St John Ambulance and paramedics - Department of Transport (Marine Safety) - RCSA volunteers - Sports Medicine Australia - Department of Fisheries - All our sponsors - Rottnest Island Nursing Post - WA Police - All our service providers - Department of Health - Fremantle Port Authority - Chief Referee, Race Director and Race Officials - Surf lifesavers - Town of Cottesloe - Support boat skippers and paddlers - Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation - Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group and - Rottnest Island Authority supporting groups for on-water safety - Rottnest Island Rangers www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au 3 A message from Graham Kerr, CEO of South32 As one of Western Australia’s most iconic community and sporting events, South32 is honoured to sponsor the Rottnest Channel Swim again in 2021. To us, the event symbolises everything that’s great about our State – our love of the ocean and life outdoors, fitness, adventure, mateship, and of course Rottnest Island – for many of us it’s a place filled with fond memories of time spent with family and friends over the years. In past years, we’ve welcomed swimmers and paddlers from all over the world, making it a wonderful opportunity to showcase WA. Unfortunately this year, due to COVID-19, we’ll miss hosting our international visitors and treating them to everything our great State has to offer, but we hope to be able to welcome them back next year. As a global company headquartered in Perth with operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Rottnest Channel Swim and supporting them to make this incredible event this possible. It also makes me incredibly proud to see two South32 teams taking part this year and I look forward to cheering them on. Congratulations to everyone at the Rottnest Channel Swim Association and all the volunteers. It’s thanks to you that the swim happens each year, so that together we can help create healthier, stronger and happier communities. To everyone taking part, good luck and stay safe. An open water swim of nearly 20 kilometres is no mean feat and I wish you well for this impressive endeavour. We look forward to seeing you again in 2022. Graham Thank you to our 2021 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim sponsors and partners Records Solo records Duo records Fastest female team First crossing Fastest male duo 2001 Steve Smith’s Aspire Fitness 4:14:47 1956 Gerd von Dincklage 2001 Timewise 3:55:54 Melissa Benson, Diane Bevan, 9:45:00 Jarrad Nederpelt and Natalie Benson and Tammie Smith Travis Nederpelt First female crossing Fastest mixed team 1969 Lesley Meaney (nee Cherriman) Fastest female duo 2014 Millsy’s Minions 4:09:24 9:35:00 2014 Sacha: 4:22:46 Guy Harrison-Murray, Heidi Gan, Kieran Jamie Bowler and Sacha Downing Trump and Solomon Wright Fastest male 2018 Solomon Wright Fastest mixed