Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

In 2016, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association (RCSA) will run a new event in addition to the traditional Karma Resorts Rottnest Channel Swim.

This new event is called Champions of the Channel. The Champions of the Channel is a race designed for elite swimmers (both professionals and amateurs, age-group and masters swimmers) and will be held on February 28th, the day after the Karma Resorts Rottnest Channel Swim on February 27th, starting at 6:00 am.

Swimmers can compete in the Solo, Duo or Team categories with prize money offered for each category:
* $5,000 for 1st
* $2,000 for 2nd
* $1,000 for 3rd

Sasha Jones explains the process for registration. “Expressions of interest for the 2016 Champions of the Channel are now open. Registration is consists of two stages:

* Stage 1: swimmers are asked to register their interest in being a part of the event.
* Stage 2: from the expression of interest, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association will assess all qualifying details to determine ability to stay within the key cut-off times. If the swimmers are selected, the RCSA will invite them to complete their registration.”

To gain entry into the Champions of the Channel, swimmers must demonstrate their swimming ability through qualification. The qualification guidelines are below:

Category Qualification Guidelines – Solo Race
1. 10 km open water swim in less than 2 hours 40 minutes, or
2. Previous solo crossing of the Rottnest Channel in less than 5 hours 10 minutes in the past 2 years, or
3. Equivalent or greater swimming achievement

Category Qualification Guidelines – Duo Race
1. 10 km open water swim in less than 2 hours 30 minutes, or
2. 5km open water swim in less than 1 hour 15 minutes, or
3. Previous duo crossing of the Rottnest Channel with the same team members in less than 5 hours in the past 2 years, or
4. Equivalent or greater swimming achievement

Category Qualification Guidelines – Team Race
1. 10 km open water swim in less than 2 hours 30 minutes, or
2. 5 km open water swim in less than 1 hours 15 minutes, or
3. 2.5 km open water swim in less than 37 minutes, or
4. Previous solo crossing of the Rottnest Channel in less than 5 hours 10 minutes in the past 2 years, or
5. Previous duo crossing of the Rottnest Channel with the same team members in less than 5 hours in the past 2 years, or
6. Previous team crossing of the Rottnest Channel with the same team members in less than 5 hours in the past 2 years, or
7. Equivalent or greater swimming achievement

Interstate and International Swimmers

The Rottnest Channel Swim Association will allow interstate and international soloists to qualify by completing any 10 km or greater open water swim between November 1st 2016 and February 1st 2016 in 4 hours 15 minutes or less to qualify.

For more information, visit www.rottnestchannelswim.com.au.

Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association