Paddler Information

Read/download the 2025 PORT TO PUB EVENT HANDBOOK

Watch the 2025 PORT TO PUB EVENT BRIEFING VIDEO

Keep your swimmer/s on course
Even slightly raised seas can make it difficult to see where to go. Paddlers should stay parallel to the support boat as the skipper is keeping to the most direct line (the swimmer should stay parallel to the paddler). Your swimmer may prefer you to be very close to guide them so they don’t have to keep looking up and ahead to see where they are going.

Communicate as needed
This can include giving updates on the swimmer’s progress and relaying information from the skipper and support crew. Swimmers will also have messages and requests for crew on the support boat that you are in a better position to pass on.

Watch for potential health issues
It is essential to continuously assess the physical and mental condition of your swimmer/s throughout the event. You will be able to most easily see if something is wrong. Asking the swimmer simple questions is one way to assess them (e.g., confusion or forgetfulness is a sign that there could be a problem).

Keep swimmers safe from other vessels on the water
Your paddle craft is an indication to other vessels that there is a swimmer close by. For that reason, make sure that you can see your swimmer at all times and stay by their side.

Keep swimmers fed and hydrated
Paddlers of ultramarathon and solo swimmers must ensure that swimmers receive adequate food and hydration in accordance with their pre-race plan.

Be positive
Your support and encouragement cannot be understated; you help keep the swimmer/s moving forward to the finish line.

Practice
Paddling in open water can be challenging; it is essential that paddlers practice in all conditions prior to event day.

Setup
Paddlers should ensure that the paddle craft setup is comfortable and familiar. A wider and sturdier craft is preferable to a long, slim craft made for racing. Toppling from the craft may happen, so valuable items should be stored in waterproof bags and tied down.

Equipment
Vessels should be thoroughly checked for seaworthiness before event day. Bungs and cap seals should be checked to ensure they hold up in rough water.

Study the course and review race procedures
Familiarise yourself with the course, review the event day schedule and start/finish line procedures, and read through race day planning to ensure that you know what to expect on race day. It is recommended to read the Event Rules.

Know your swimmer/s
Practice paddling alongside your swimmer. Get to know their style and stroke so you can easily identify them. Discuss with your swimmer/s which side they would prefer you to paddle on and any hand signals you will use.

Getting in/out of your paddle craft
Practice falling out and getting back into your paddle craft to ensure you can do so if required on event day. If you are supporting an ultramarathon or solo swimmer, they will not be able to help you back onto your craft.

Solo swimmer support
Discuss and familiarise yourself with your swimmer/s feed plan.

Duo and team support
Discuss the timing of changeovers and overall time plan for each swimmer.

Find your solo or starting swimmer
Make an event day plan of where you are going to meet your swimmer off the beach and what to do if you can’t immediately find each other.

Paddler start
Paddlers must leave the shore only from the designated paddle craft departure points located on the northern and southern sides of the start channel. Paddlers must observe and follow their swimmer’s allocated wave start time.

Note: Paddlers must not be dropped off by their support boat within 1000m of the shore.

Meeting your swimmer
Paddlers can meet their swimmer somewhere between the 500m and 1000m marks. There are two white buoys at the northern and southern sides of the 500m mark. Paddlers can arrange to meet their swimmer at either side of the paddle craft zone.

Meeting your support boat
Paddlers and swimmers together have between 1000m and 1500m to meet their support boat. Paddlers and swimmers must not proceed past 1500m until they are together with their support boat.

Finish line approach
When approaching the finish line paddlers are to exit at the final 400 metre mark, unless supporting a 25km ultramarathon or 19.7km solo swimmer whereby paddlers (when applicable) are required to support their swimmer to shore.

Post event recovery
After the event, paddlers are welcome to join swimmers in the recovery area.

5km loop
Swimmers doing the 25km ultramarathon must have a paddler accompany them on the initial 5km loop even if they are using a swimmer tow float. Support boats are not allowed on the 5km loop and will join the ultramarathon swimmer.

Swimmer nutrition
Paddlers should consider providing their swimmer nutrition and fluids before meeting their support boat at the 1000m (from shore) buoy after completing the 5km loop.

Water entrance
We recommend 25km paddlers enter the water from the northern side of the start line.

Meeting point
The ‘ultramarathon paddler holding zone’ is the designated meeting point for 25km paddlers to meet their swimmers. This is located on the ocean side of the ultramarathon turn buoy 1 & 3. Paddlers are advised to collect their swimmer after the first turn and accompany the swimmer around the 5km loop.