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 Port to Pub Duo and Team events if they have parental or legal guardian consent to take part.

All 25km Ultramarathon and 19.7km Solo 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 Parent/Guardian Consent – Persons Under 18 Years form should be printed, completed (with signature), and returned by email to [email protected] or mail to PO Box 2591, Mt Claremont 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.

Port to Pub has two categories of swimmers: UNASSISTED and ASSISTED

UNASSISTED CATEGORY – Swimsuits must comply with FINA’s Open Water Swimming Rules. FINA states that a complying suit:

a. Is of a woven textile material;
b. Does not cover the neck;
c. Does not extend beyond the shoulders or ankles; and
d. Does not have a zip or other fastening system.

A list of approved swimsuits can be found on the FINA website. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to ensure their swimsuit complies with FINA rules.

Swimmers MAY NOT:

a. Wear any item with neoprene or any other buoyant material;
b. Wear anything not within the FINA rules or within the Port to Pub exemptions; or
c. Wear various types of inner or outer ear headphones.

Swimmers MAY:

a. Wear two suits as long one suit only comprises of a brief or bikini.
b. Use Wool Fat/Lanolin/Vasoline.
c. Wear goggles.
d. Wear a nose clip.
e. 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.
f. Wear ear plugs.
g. Wear a rash vest.
h. Wear a watch.

ASSISTED CATEGORY – Swimmers in this 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.

a. Wetsuits must be no thicker than 5mm.
b. Race numbers must be written on race swim cap.
c. All the components of the wetsuit must fit the swimmer’s body tightly.
d. May wear a brief or bikini underneath the wetsuit.
e. May use Wool Fat/Lanolin/Vasoline.
f. May wear goggles.
g. May wear two caps if the outer cap is the Port to Pub category cap.
h. May wear a nose clip.
i. May wear ear plugs.
j. May wear a watch.
k. If only one team member wears a wetsuit, the team is still categorised as ASSISTED.
l. 19.7km Solo swimmers that swim with a wetsuit will be recorded in the ASSISTED SOLO category.

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, Duo and Team changes may be made until the date that registrations close.

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 74 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.

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 should be 3.1 metres or less in size with a motor not exceeding 5hp. Anything over that size is required to be registered. Tenders also need to carry necessary safety equipment. It is the skipper’s responsibility to make themselves aware of the regulations and requirements related to travelling to Rottnest Island (see www.dot.wa.gov.au).

Support boats are to be organised by entrants. 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.

See the full list of requirements on the Support Boat Checklist and Safety Equipment Checklist.

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 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 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 or on event day at KC Australia’s stall at the Hotel Rottnest finish line.