Ideal Weather Creates Perfect Day for Port to Pub Open Water Swim
In a stark contrast to last month's cancelled Rottnest Channel Swim, the 2026 Mader Port to Pub race enjoyed near perfect conditions on Saturday, with nearly 1800 swimmers diving into the ocean at Fremantle bound for Hotel Rottnest. The event, celebrating its 10 year anniversary, featured two challenging open water swim races: a direct 19.7km crossing and a gruelling 25km ultramarathon.
Clear Waters and Community Spirit
Ceinwen Williams, managing director of the race, expressed delight at the exceptional conditions. "Everyone has said they've been able to see the bottom of the ocean the whole way—the water has been so clear," she reported. "We had just under 1800 swimmers, but when you add up the boats, paddlers, volunteers at sea rescue and official boats, it's probably around 4000 people involved all up."
The cancellation of the Rottnest Channel Swim earlier this year meant several solo swimmers were added to previously sold-out categories, enhancing the competitive field. Williams highlighted the event's inclusive nature, noting: "For the 10 year anniversary, we had teams of 10 that included entire families—brothers and sisters, grandparents, parents and kids. It really is a swim for all."
From Humble Beginnings to Major Success
Reflecting on the event's growth, Williams shared: "We started with under 500 people in 2016 and now have such a huge, successful, beautiful community event that's raised over half a million dollars for WA charities." The festive atmosphere at Hotel Rottnest was palpable, with Williams adding: "The pub's been cranking, the music's cranking, and everyone's in their port to pub hat, medals and towels."
Ultramarathon Champions Emerge
In the demanding 25km ultramarathon swim, Hayden Ferguson crossed the line first overall with an impressive time of 05:54:16. Christine Murray secured victory as the first female finisher in this gruelling race, completing the crossing in 06:24:43. Their achievements underscore the physical and mental endurance required for such open water challenges.
The Port to Pub continues to establish itself as a premier event in Western Australia's swimming calendar, combining athletic excellence with strong community support and charitable impact.
