2019 YEARBOOK Rottnest Channel Swim Saturday 23 February 2019 [Lavan ad] Only 19.67 km to go Lavan is proud to be a sponsor of the Rottnest Channel Swim lavan.com.au Photo: Peta North PF 35213 Lavan Rottnest Channel Swim.indd 1 18/11/17 11:26 am Only 19.67 km to go Contents President’s Message ........................................... 3 Facts and Figures ............................................... 5 2019 Champions of the Channel .....................6-7 Participant Story - Barbara Pellick ..................... 9 2019 Rottnest Channel Solo Swimmers ......10-11 Participant Story - Lisa Romeo ......................... 12 Participant Story - Luke and Michael ................ 14 2019 Rottnest Channel Duo Swimmers .......15-16 2019 Rottnest Channel Skippers ..................18-19 Ferry Timetable ................................................. 20 Pre-Event Information Skipper Information ........................................... 22 Swimmer Safety ............................................... 23 Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group ........... 24 Is your boat ready to go .................................... 25 Paddler Information........................................... 22 The Serious Stuff The Start ............................................................ 2A The Channel ....................................................... 3A The Finish Channel and Finish Line ..............4A-5A Course Map ..................................................6A-7A PULL OUT AND Support Boat Information .................................. 8A TAKE WITH YOU Shark Awareness and Re-Entry ........................ 9A ON SWIM DAY On Water Emergencies and Drone Rules ........ 10A Event Rules ..................................................... 11A Event Timeline ................................................ 12A Swim Nutrition .................................................. 27 2019 T-Shirt Design Story ................................. 28 Participant Story - Team Lighthouse Malaysia 29 2019 Rottnest Channel Team Swimmers ....30-38 Champs of the Bay ............................................ 39 Swim History ................................................40-41 Looking Back at 2018 ........................................ 42 Lavan is proud to be a sponsor Past Soloists ................................................43-52 of the Rottnest Channel Swim lavan.com.au The Rottnest Channel Swim is organised by the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Inc. Graphic Design: Definition – www.defn.com.au Maps: Definition – www.defn.com.au Executive Officer: Natalie Beevis – 8119 0919 / [email protected] Printing: Discus on Demand – www.discusondemand.com.au Event Publicist: Tess Fisher – 0408 352 021 / [email protected] Photography: Aussies In Action – www.aussiesinaction.com.au Event Coordinator: Nic Blackburn – 8119 0919/ [email protected] Clip Media – www.clipmedia.com.au Event Coordinator: Michael Hodder – 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 This is designed to provide a more interactive experience for friends would like to welcome you to the 2019 edition of the Rottnest Channel and family of participants. Swim . An event such as this does not just happen overnight and many of our The Rottnest Channel Swim is an event that has become synonymous participants may not appreciate the amount of work that goes into the with the outdoor, active lifestyle we live as West Australians. It safe running of the Rottnest Channel Swim. symbolises all that is great about living in Perth;- ocean, exercise, sun (with sun protection!), friends, and an opportunity to soak in all you’ve In my first year as President, I have been tirelessly supported by our achieved at the end on Rottnest Island. small team of Natalie Beevis and Nic Blackburn who are a credit to the RCSA. Joining them in the lead-up to the swim has been our With such an important and iconic event comes great responsibility newest recruit, Michael Hodder, who I look forward to working with for us at the RCSA to ensure all who participate are given the best further. On top of this, our volunteer Committee has been of great opportunity to make the journey to Rottnest safely. It is this mantra assistance to me, and I would like to thank them for all their hard of ‘safety’ which is always at the forefront of our minds when making work throughout the year. decisions on how we can improve the event. This has led to new and improved safety measures for the 2019 Rottnest Channel Swim Finally, I would like to thank both our amazing volunteers who help which include: us, not only on race day, but in the lead-up to event, and our sponsors • A dedicated Event helicopter that will monitor the swim course who share our vision for a safe and rewarding day for all involved. throughout the day and assist Race Officials when called upon; and • A revised shark safety protocol with clearer communicative I wish you all the best of luck as you undertake this daring challenge procedures. The protocol also includes an opportunity for swimmer and I look forward to seeing you at the Rottnest Island finish line! re-entry if it is deemed safe to do so. A further initiative being implemented this year is the live broadcasting Iain McCarrey of the start and finish line activities via the RCSA Facebook page. President of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee members (from left to right): David Corney, Chantelle Cox, Stacey Havenstein, Nic Blackburn, Iain McCarrey, Natalie Beevis, Shane Cartwright, Kirsty Bellombra, Michael Hodder. Missing - James Back, Olivia Williams. 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 2019 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 and - Rottnest Island Rangers compliance www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au 3 Thank you to our 2019 Rottnest Channel Swim sponsors and partners 4 Rottnest Channel Swim 2019 Facts and Figures Solo records Most solos First crossing Male: Peter Tanham, 1956 Gerd von Dincklage 30 crossings to Rottnest 9:45:00 Female: Barbara Pellick, 29 crossings to Rottnest First female crossing 1969 Lesley Meaney (nee Cherri- man) 9:35:00 Fastest male 2018 Solomon Wright 3:59:28 60% Male 40% Female Fastest female 1993 Tamara Bruce (Natural Jetty) Oldest: 75 4:10:03 Aussie states stats Youngest: 14 2000 Bronwyn Whitehead last count (Thomson Bay) 4:25:53 • WA 2394 48% first time Rottnest Channel • Country WA 236 swimmers 2019 Rotto Swim family • Victoria 98 52% repeat offenders, 48% newbies • NSW 82 56.5% first time soloists Oldest swimmers entered this year: • Queensland 59 75-year-old female and a 74-year- • SA 13 368 solos old male. Average age of • ACT 6 swimmers: 34.4 • NT 5 Most common male name: • Tasmania 4 David Duo records Fastest male duo Most common female name: 2001 Timewise 3:55:54 Emma Jarrad Nederpelt and Travis Nederpelt Fastest female duo 2014 Sacha: 4:22:46 Jamie Bowler and Sacha Downing Fastest mixed duo Going global! 2012 Team Shotz Nutrition 4:08:11 Countries represented in the 2019 Heidi Gan and Simon Huitenga Rottnest Channel Swim • Australia 183 Asthmatics Team records • United Kingdom Fastest male team • Japan 2018 Tommybay 3:36:36 • Austria Reilly Kennedy, Callum Lauriston, • Korea - Republic of Total length of time in the water Nicholas Rollo, William Rollo • United States of all soloists: 3 years, 1 week, • Malaysia 3 days, 7 hours 2 minutes and 36 Fastest female team • Singapore seconds 2001 Steve Smith’s Aspire Fitness • Canada 4:14:47 • Germany Melissa Benson, Diane Bevan, Nata- • Hong Kong lie Benson and Tammie Smith • New Zealand • Switzerland Fastest mixed team • Guinea - Bissau 2014 Millsy’s Minions 4:09:24 • Ireland Guy Harrison-Murray, Heidi Gan, • Romania Kieran Trump and Solomon Wright • Sweden • Zimbabwe rottnestchannelswim.com.au 5 Champions of the Channel The Rottnest Channel Swim’s elite competition, Champions of the Channel, returns in 2019 with 20 of Australia’s best amateur and professional swimmers battling it out for victory over 19.7km of open water. Nine women and 11 men will take part in this year’s invitational, which will focus on solo swimmers. All are vying