FAQs

Yes, you can register online without having yet completed your qualifying swim. However, you must complete your qualifying swim and add in a link to the results into your registration form.

All solo swimmers must provide evidence of a qualifying swim in their registration form. 

Teams of two, four and six: by accepting Port to Pub's Terms and Conditions in the registration form, you acknowledge you can swim the qualifying swim distances stipulated by Port to Pub.

Support boats are to be organized by entrants. No personal watercraft is allowed, eg: jet skis. 

Vessels used in the Port to Pub event are recommended to be 5-12 metres in length. Vessels of 10m and over are advised to stay to the south of the channel and of the main fleet. Tenders must have all safety equipment on board. It is the skippers responsibility to make themselves aware of the regulations and requirements related to travelling to Rottnest Island. (See www.dot.wa.gov.au)

To determine how many people are legally permitted on board please refer to the Department of Transport requirements in the table below.

Your boat must be licensed to carry your whole team including swimmer(s), paddler(s) and all support crew.

In addition all support boats must be equipped with all required mandatory marine safety and emergency equipment as per the WA Navigable Water regulations listed below, and are encouraged to be a member of Fremantle Sea Rescue. https://www.searescue.com.au

1. Recreational Skippers Ticket
2. Marine Radio an operation two marine radio VHF
3. Bilge Pump/Bailer
4. Boats greater than 7 metres must have bilge pump fitted
5. Boats less than 7 metres must have bilge pump or bailer bucket if bilge pump not fitted
6. Fire extinguisher
7. Anchor and line
8. Lifejacket one life jacket (PFD type1) for each person on board including all swimmer and paddlers
9. Orange flares a minimum of two hand held orange flares
10. Parachute flares a minimum two parachute distress rocket flares
11. Boats, by law, are required to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

Individual WAASA members will have personal insurance for all swimming events, as do Surf Lifesaving Club members. All other competitors requiring personal insurance must make their own arrangements. You can purchase a third party insurance product in the registration process to insure you for event cancellation only. The Port to Pub event does not have personal accident insurance for competitors. The Port to Pub Committee will not accept liability for personal or property damage resulting from your participation in the event. We strongly recommend that all participants ensure they are adequately insured for the risks present on the day of the event.

In the event of a cancellation, swimmers will be notified of cancellation of the event through their skipper who will receive an SMS on the morning of the swim and notified by organisers via VHF Channel 77. Radio stations and the event’s PA announcer will also broadcast any cancellation of the event. Our website www.porttopub.com.au will display the status of the day’s proceedings and will also be displayed on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Team member and skipper changes may be made up until 14 March, 2018, as long as the swimmers and skippers meet the requirements of entry.

Once you’ve entered the swim, no refunds will be given, nor will a refund be given if the event is cancelled.

The minimum age of all swimmers at the date of the swim is 13 years, in accordance with WA Open Water Swimming and Australian Open Water Swimming rules. 13 year olds can only compete in duo and team events of the Port to Pub swim if they have parental or legal guardian consent to take part in the event.

All solo and 25km ultra-marathon swimmers must be at least 14 years of age at the time of the event. All solo swimmers must have completed the qualifying standards and must have been formally accepted by the race officials.

All swimmers aged 18 and under must have signed parent or guardian consent to participate in the Port to Pub swim. This is part of the registration process.

The Port to Pub swim has a forum page on this website to help you find a boat. Please also leave a message on our Facebook page. We will also recommend other sites such as Gumtree and affiliated boat hire companies to help you find a skipper and boat.

We will be putting on a race briefing for international, interstate and country swimmers on 16 March, 2018 at the Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club (1000am-1100am). You'll pick up your race pack here.

Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club: 20 Leighton Beach Boulevard, North Fremantle, Western Australia, 6159

The Port to Pub swim will have two categories available for swimmers: ASSISTED and UNASSISTED. 

UNASSISTED category:

Swimsuits must comply with FINA's Open Water Swimming Rules. FINA states that a complying suit: 

1. Is of a woven textile material 

2. Does not cover the neck 

3. Does not extend beyond the shoulders or ankles

A list of approved swimsuits can be found on the FINA website www.fina.org

 It is the swimmer’s responsibility to ensure their swimsuit complies with FINA rules. 

Swimmers MAY NOT 

1. Wear any item with neoprene or any other buoyant material. 

2. Wear anything not within the FINA rules or within the Port to Pub swim exemptions 

Swimmers MAY

1. Wear two suits as long one suit only comprises of a brief or bikini. 

2. Wool fat/Lanolin/Vasoline 

3. Wear goggles 

4. Wear a nose clip 

5. Wear two caps as long as the outer cap is the Port to Pub cap to show the swimmer’s category 

5. Wear ear plugs 

6. Wear a rash vest 

ASSISTED category:

1. Wetsuits must be no thicker than 5mm 
2. All of the components of the wetsuit must fit the swimmers body tightly; 
3. Artificial propulsion devices are not to be used 
4. Flotation devices are not to be used 
5. Gloves or socks (including but not limited to compression socks) are not to be worn 
6. May wear a brief or bikini underneath the wetsuit 
7. May wear Wool fat/Lanolin/Vasoline 
8. May wear goggles 
9. May wear two caps 
10. May wear a nose clip 
11. May wear ear plugs 
12. May wear a rash vest 

• If only one team member wears a wetsuit, the team is still categorised as ASSISTED. 
• Solo swimmers that swim with a wetsuit will be recorded in the ASSISTED SOLO category.

ASSISTED swimmers will not be competing against UNASSISTED for prizes and/or records.

We strongly recommend you organise your support boat at least 6 months in advance of the Port to Pub swim (especially interstate and international swimmers). Boat details are required at registration, so you need to be organised. You can consider the following options when looking for a support boat and skipper.

1. Advertise with local sailing/boating clubs. State your request clearly and be open to reimbursing the skipper for time and costs.

2. Advertise on our website forum and Facebook page

3. Advertise on Gumtree or in community newspapers

4. Leave messages in appropriate swimming social media forums.

5. Hire a boat. Make your request well in advance of the event.