Event FAQs

In accordance with WA Open Water Swimming and Australian Open Water Swimming rules, the minimum age of all swimmers at the date of the event is 13 years. Additionally, thirteen-year-olds can only compete in the Team of 6 event if they have parental or legal guardian consent to take part.

All 25km Ultramarathon and 19.7km Solo, Duo, and Team of 4 swimmers must be at least 14 years of age at the date of the event. These swimmers must have completed the qualifying standards and been formally accepted by race officials.

ALL swimmers under 18 years must submit a signed parent or guardian consent form to participate in Port to Pub.

The Under 18 Parent or Guardian Form should be printed, completed (with signature), and returned by email to [email protected] or mail to PO Box 2081, Claremont North, WA 6010.

Yes, you can register online without having completed your qualifying swim; however, you must complete your qualifying swim and add your qualifying results onto your registration form by the registration closing date.

All Ultramarathon and Solo swimmers must provide evidence of a qualifying swim on their registration form.

ALL SWIMMERS: By accepting Port to Pub’s Terms and Conditions on the registration form, you acknowledge you can swim the qualifying swim distances stipulated by Port to Pub.

The World Aquatics Rules for open water swimming (see worldaquatics.com/rules/competition-regulations) apply to the 19.7km Solo and 25km Ultramarathon Events in regard to swimsuits, feeding, and drafting. The World Aquatics Rules may change from time to time, and it is the responsibility of each Participant to ensure compliance with the latest World Aquatics Rules on Event Day.

Swimmers may register as UNASSISTED or ASSISTED. For the avoidance of doubt, if one Swimmer from a Duo or Team registers as ASSISTED, then each other Swimmer from the Duo or the Team (as the case may be) will be deemed to be ASSISTED.

UNASSISTED CATEGORY

Swimsuits must comply with World Aquatics Rules and:

• Must be of a woven textile material;
• Not cover the neck;
• Not extend beyond the shoulders or ankles; and
• Not have a zip or other fastening system.

Swimmers in the UNASSISTED CATEGORY MUST NOT:

• Wear any item with neoprene or any other buoyant material;
• Wear anything not within the World Aquatic rules or within Port to Pub exemptions;
• Wear any kind of inner or outer ear headphones;
• Wear smart goggles; or
• Wear anything that trails from their body.

Swimmers in the UNASSISTED CATEGORY MAY:

• Wear two suits as long as one suit only comprises of a brief or bikini;
• Use Wool Fat/Lanolin/Vaseline;
• Wear goggles;
• Wear a nose clip;
• Wear two caps (except for 25km Ultramarathon Swimmers) as long as the outer cap is the Port to Pub cap to show the Event category;
• Wear ear plugs;
• Wear a rash vest; and
• Wear a watch.

ASSISTED CATEGORY

Swimmers in the ASSISTED category are not competing against UNASSISTED Swimmers for prizes and/or records. ASSISTED Swimmers are not eligible for Port to Pub or RCS number plates or any other prize and are not eligible for records.  ASSISTED Swimmers must comply with the following:

• Wetsuits must be no thicker than 5mm.
• Race numbers must be written on race swim cap.
• All the components of the wetsuit must fit the Swimmer’s body tightly.
• May wear a brief or bikini underneath the wetsuit.
• May use Wool Fat/Lanolin/Vaseline.
• May wear goggles.
• May wear two caps if the outer cap is the Event category cap.
• May wear a nose clip.
• May wear ear plugs but not headphones.
• May wear a watch.
• If only one Team member wears a wetsuit, the team is still categorised as ASSISTED.
• 7km Solo Swimmers that swim with a wetsuit will be recorded in the ASSISTED SOLO category.

19.7km Solo Swimmers, Duos, and Teams may swim with the assistance of a wetsuit, but the swim will not be recorded as a ratified swim and any such 19.7km Solo Swimmer will not be eligible for Port to Pub number plates or prizes.

See the full 2025 Port to Pub Event Rules for more information.

You can edit and add information on your registration until the official close of registration. To do this, simply log back into your registration form on Race Roster. Email us at [email protected] if you need assistance.

As long as swimmers and skippers meet the requirements of entry, changes may be made until the date that registrations close. 25km Ultramarathon and 19.7km Solo swimmers may not transfer their registrations.

An event briefing for international, interstate, and intrastate competitors will be held at Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club the day before the event. Race packs will be available for collection. Swimmers, skippers, paddlers, and support crew are all welcome.

Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club is located at 20 Leighton Beach Boulevard, North Fremantle, Western Australia, 6159.

In the event of a cancellation, a text message will be sent out alerting event participants as to the event’s status.

Skippers will receive SMS and VHF Channel 71 notifications on the morning of the swim. Skippers should notify their swimmers.

The event’s announcer on site and Port to Pub social media accounts will broadcast updates regarding event cancellation.

We do not make any calls about the event related to weather conditions until the morning of the event. We monitor the weather closely, and on the day of the event we seek advice from multiple authorities who assist in making a final decision about whether the race should go ahead. We always put in our maximum effort to ensure that the event proceeds as planned; however, cancellation will occur if there is a high risk to event participants.

Please note, as per Port to Pub Terms & Conditions, no refunds on entry are able to be given if the race is cancelled.

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

Individual WAASA members and Surf Life Saving Club members have personal insurance for all swimming events. All other competitors requiring personal insurance must make their own arrangements. Port to Pub 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.

It is recommended that Support Boats be 5-10 metres in length and must not be smaller than 3.75 metres in length. It is the Skipper’s responsibility to determine the exact number of people permitted to be on board for a safe voyage.

The support boat must be licensed to carry the skipper, swimmer/s, paddler/s, and all support crew. No personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis) is allowed.

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

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.

A full list of requirements is available on the Skipper & Support Boat Information page of this website.

Support boats are to be organised by entrants. We strongly recommend you organise your support boat at least 6 months in advance of Port to Pub (especially interstate and international swimmers). Boat details are required on the registration form, 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 the Port to Pub Facebook page.
3. Advertise on Gumtree or in community newspapers.
4. Leave messages in appropriate swimming social media forums.
5. Hire your own boat.

Merchandise can be purchased through your registration form and online through our supplier KC Australia.

Merchandise is also available for purchase at all event briefings and at the finish line on event day.

You can swap your competitor shirt at one of the pre-race briefings. Alternately, please email [email protected] with your request and we will see if we are able to assist you.