Frequently Asked Questions

Entry transfers are now available online. To learn more about entry transfer, CLICK HERE

A waitlist facility for swimmers who missed out on entry is available to swimmers in 2019. To be included on the waitlist, interested swimmers will be required to complete and pay for entry in full. As swimmers withdraw from the event, waitlisted swimmers will be allocated entries based on their position on the wait-list (highest to lowest by date order). To register for the waitlist, CLICK HERE

Please don't swim without a valid entry; for the sake of you and your loved ones, for the sake of Surf Life Saving, your fellow swimmers and the event organisers and supporters. Our event is looked at closely each year for safety and if we can’t show that we run a safe event then the Busselton Jetty Swim will not be permitted, simple as that! We (SLS and the Volunteer BJS Event organizers) need every swimmers entry details as a minimum to assist with our duty of care on race day. As an unregistered swimmer we don't know your name, age, level of fitness, special needs, medical condition, emergency contact etc. You also have not agreed to our conditions of participation or agreed to accept responsibility for the risks that an open water swim presents. So every un-entered swimmer throws a level of doubt onto the management of the event and causes direct concern for those volunteers doing their best to look out for the safety of you and 2700 other swimmers. Please don’t disrespect the volunteers, Surf Life Saving and your fellow swimmers who work so hard to make the Busselton Jetty Swim such a great annual event.

For each swimmer you require the following information:

1. Name
2. Have they swum the event previously using another surname (so we can collate swimmer results)
3. Estimated swim time (EST for calculating correct start wave) - not required for Kids Swim, One Mile or Teams
4. Gender
5. Date of birth
6. Address
7. Contact phone number
8. Email - Please don't use your work email - see our FAQ about your email address.
9. Emergency contact (name and phone number of somebody not swimming on the day)
10. Any medical conditions (provided to St Johns and Surf Life Saving in case of emergency)
11. Using wetsuit or swim aid (Wetsuit, flippers, snorkel, speed-suit, pullbuoy)
12. Special needs (this includes requesting a support paddler)
13. How many times have they entered the swim
14. How did they hear about the swim
15. Did they use our training program
16. Why are you participating and what most appeals to you?
17. How may family/friends/colleagues will be coming along with you as spectators/supporters?
18. Do you have any suggestions
19. How many nights will they be spending in Busselton (option for local resident or day visit)
20. What type of accommodation (option for local resident or day visit)
21. Do they have a story to share about entering the swim

TEAMS:(additional information)

1. Team Entrants will have to select a swim leg
2. Teams can be entered as incomplete

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE PAID FOR ONLINE TO SECURE A PLACE

Can I use my work email to enter?

Why didn't I get a receipt when I entered?

I didn't get an e-ticket

I didn't receive the newsletters

We recommend you use your private email address for entering the swim or signing up for notifications.  Many swimmers miss vital communications from us as their work server blocks emails with attachments or our news and automated emails could trigger spam settings or filters.  Other swimmers miss our communications as they are on leave and cannot access their work email. 

No. Entries Close at 23:59 Western Standard Time Thursday 31 January 2019. Late entries will not be accepted.

The minimum age for swimmers is 8 years old on race day. Only competent swimmers who are fit and adequately trained should enter. We will be asking for proof of suitable swimming ability for swimmers 12 years and under. Please note that any junior swimmers must provide proof of completing and passing stage 8 (as per Royal Life Saving) or equivalent to be eligible to swim in the event. Parents or guardians are to email proof to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Parents or guardians will also be required to sign a hardcopy of the declaration/waiver at swimmer check-in. No award will be issued to the youngest swimmer.

No. Entries Close at 23:59 Western Standard Time Thursday 31 January 2019. Late entries will not be accepted.

Only online entries will be accepted.

We are only accepting entry and payment online. You can use a credit card, debit card or Pay Pal to complete the registration.

In 2019, all swimmers receive automatic personal accident insurance as part of their entry fee.  For more information on insurance CLICK HERE

One of our risk controls for the Kids Swim is to limit the number of children to 8 per wave at 30 second intervals and not to have significant numbers of adults in the water thus reducing the likelihood of collisions and allowing SLS to focus solely on the children and to do their job unimpeded.
If a child has a particular need for additional on-water support then an emailed request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be considered on its merits.

No. Every swimmer over the age of 18 must check-in in person and hand-in a signed copy of the Swimmer Declaration [waiver]. Legal guardians may check-in for swimmers if under 18 - an eTicket must be shown and a signed waiver must be handed-in. Swimmers will be emailed a copy of the waiver with their eTicket in the week before the swim. Check-in will be open 14:30 to 18:30 Saturday 9 February 2019 (preferred option) or 06:00 to 07:00 Sunday 10 February 2019. Check-in will be by Race Number for the 2019 swim.

You will automatically be allocated a Race Number once entries have closed. Your Race Number will be emailed to you in an eTicket along with a copy of the waiver in the week prior to the swim. Please bring your eTicket and a signed copy of the waiver to pre-race check-in. Check-in will be by Race Number for the 2019 swim.

Yes. Your race number will be a tattoo that you must wear for event management and safety. The tattoo may be applied to your skin or wet-suit.

The tattoo goes vertically on your front left thigh. Option two front left arm/shoulder. Tattoos may be applied to wet-suits.

A team name, team captain and payment in full are required to confirm a team entry. If you have created but not paid for your team and the cap is reached you will not have a place in the swim. Payment can be made for incomplete teams.

Swimmers can log-in later to amend or update swimmer details including changes to swim order (up until entries close, Thursday 31 January, 2019 ).

For each swimmer:

1. Name
2. Have they swum the event previously using another surname (so we can collate swimmer results)
3. Swim order (for relay).  Entrants will need to select a swim leg.
4. Gender
5. Date of birth
6. Address
7. Contact phone number
8. Email - Please don't use your work email - see our FAQ about your email address.
9. Emergency contact (name and phone number of somebody not swimming on the day)
10. Any medical conditions (provided to St Johns and Surf Life Saving in case of emergency)
11. Using wetsuit or swim aid (Wetsuit, flippers, snorkel, speed-suit, pullbuoy)
12. Special needs (this includes requesting a support paddler)
13. How many times have they entered the swim
14. How did they hear about the swim
15. Did they use our training program
16. Why are you participating and what most appeals to you?
17. How many family/friends/colleagues will be coming along with you as spectators/supporters?
18. Do you have any suggestions
19. How many nights will they be spending in Busselton (option for local resident or day visit)
20. What type of accommodation (option for local resident or day visit)
21. Do they have a story to share about entering the swim

Yes, swimmers can log-on to their entry and edit swimmer details or swim order using the log-in and password from their confirmation email.

This would be dependent upon your training and personal fitness. We cannot advise you on this. With the 3.6km Solo event, the One Mile Swim to Shore and the 2 and 4 person relay events there are several distance options for a swimmer to choose from. There are Swim Training Programs available through our Resources menu option – please take advantage of the program to improve your training.

No. On water safety and support is provided by Surf Life Saving and personal support paddlers are no longer permitted, however if you feel you have a special need requiring your own support or provisions this must be indicated as part of your online entry. Swimmers can log-on to and amend their entry any time until entries close.

The main course is 3.6 km, out to the end, around the Busselton Jetty and back to shore.

The One Mile - Swim to Shore: swimmers enter the water on the western side of the Jetty, at the ramp near the Underwater Observatory and swim 1.6km to the beach to finish.

The 2 person relay distances are: first leg 1.4 km, beach start exiting at Allie’s Landing; second leg 2.2 km, starting at Allie’s Landing, rounding the end of the jetty and finishing on the shore.

The 4 person relay distances are: first leg 1.0 km, beach start exiting at Jetty Platform (east); second leg 1.0 km, starting at Jetty Platform (east) rounding the end of the jetty and exiting at the Underwater Observatory Ramp; third leg 0.6 km starting at Underwater Observatory Ramp and finishing at the Jetty Platform (west); fourth leg 1.0 km, starting at the Jetty Platform (west) and finishing on the shore.

The Kids Swim is 222 m around the outside of the Swimming Jetty.

Yes, you should be prepared. These are seasonal, as for most of the coastal areas of lower Western Australia.

Main swim : Up to 2000 swimmers starting in waves of up to 350 swimmers.

One Mile Swim to Shore: Up to 300 swimmers

Kids Swim : Up to 200 swimmers in waves of 8.

2 person Teams: 100 teams  (200 swimmers)

4 person Teams: 50 teams (200 swimmers)

Estimated swim time is used to allocate your start wave (fastest swimmers start first). Start waves have a maximum of 400 swimmers. Should more than 400 swimmers select the same estimated swim time they will be split according to date entered. Swimmers can log-on to their entry and edit swimmer details including estimated swim time using the log-in and password from their confirmation email.

Yes, swimmers can log-on to their entry and edit swimmer details including estimated swim time using the log-in and password from their confirmation email.

Choose the same estimated swim time. Estimated swim time is used to allocate your start wave (fastest swimmers start first). We would suggest not choosing a popular time like 60, 70, 80 or 90 minutes if you wish to swim together. Start waves have a maximum of 400 swimmers. Should more than 400 swimmers select the same estimated swim time they will be split according to date entered. Choosing an odd time like 0hr 57min 21sec, 83min 16sec, 1hr 12min 48sec etc with your friend will maximise your chances of being in the same start wave. Swimmers can log-on to their entry and edit swimmer details including estimated swim time using the log-in and password from their confirmation email.

3.6km Solo swimmers start in waves of approximately 350 commencing at 08:00 and continuing at 90 second intervals. Waves are allocated according to estimated swim time supplied by swimmers when they enter online. Should more than 350 swimmers select the same estimated swim time they will be split according to date entered.

2 and 4 person teams start together in the last wave.

One Mile Swim to Shore - this will be a rolling start commencing at 10:00 and friends will be able to swim together.

The Kids Swim starts at 11:00 in waves of 8, at 30 second intervals.

3.6km Solo Swimmers and Teams : 3 hours

One Mile Swim to Shore : 90 minutes

Kids Swim : 30 minutes

Yes. Every swimmer receives a finisher's award (towel) issued as they exit the finish area or the foot of the Jetty. Trophies are also awarded as per the awards list (see race rules for category details). Swimmers must collect their awards and trophies by 13:00 Sunday 10 February 2019. Awards and trophies will not be posted out.

Swimmers receive their finisher's award (towel) as they exit the finish area or the foot of the Jetty. Finisher's awards must be collected by 13:00 race day and will not be posted out. Trophies must be collected at the official awards presentation (approximately 12.00 noon race day). Trophies will not be posted out. Trophies may be collected by proxy.

All attempts are made to have the results available on the day of the event, after presentations. The results will available from the website before 7pm on the day.

These are allowable but must be declared on the entry. If you swim with an aid, you will not be eligible for a category award. Swim aids include any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy or endurance;

• Flippers
• Snorkels
• Wetsuits
• Pull Buoys
• Speed suits

You can wear whatever swimsuit you desire. If your swim suit aids your speed, buoyancy or endurance, it is considered a swim aid and must be declared on your entry (or at swimmer check-in) as you will be ineligible for an award.
Acceptable (non-swim-aid) swimsuits:

• Are made from a textile fabric
• Are flexible and soft folding
• Any surface treatments or coatings do not close the overall open mesh structure of the base textile fabric
• Do not contain buoyancy
• Are not thicker than 0.8mm
• Do not cover the neck or extend past the shoulders or ankles
• Do not contain zips or other fastening systems

Refunds are available if applied for in writing or by email prior to the entry closing date of Thursday 31 January 2019. A $10 administration fee per swimmer will be retained ($5 for the Kids Swim).

If a member of a team cannot swim on the day, a replacement can be approved by the check-in desk for a team member only, not for solo entrants or whole teams. The replacement team swimmer must fill in an entry form and sign the waiver at the check-in desk.

Entry transfers are now available online. To learn more about entry transfer, CLICK HERE

If you enter one category (eg. One Mile Swim to Shore) and would like to transfer your entry to another category (eg. Solo 3.6km swim), you can only do so if there is a vacancy in the category you wish to enter.  If the category is sold out, you can go on the waitlist or find someone who wants to transfer or swap with you. To learn more about entry transfer, CLICK HERE

Shirts can be ordered and paid for when completing the online entry for the event. T-shirts must be collected when you check-in. There are also limited numbers of t-shirts available for sale on race weekend near the swimmer check-in area.

If you missed the opportunity to order event merchandise when you entered the event, you can still order.  When you entered, you received an email with a link that allows you to access your registration details.  Use that to get an access link and from there you can change or update any of your details, and also to add & pay for event merchandise.

T-shirts will be available for collection when you check-in. Saturday 14:30 to 18:30 or Sunday (swim day) 06:00 to 07:00. T-shirts not collected by 12:00 Sunday (swim day) will be made available for resale. Refunds are not available for t-shirts not collected by 12:00 Sunday (swim day).

T-shirts must be collected by 12:00 Sunday 10 February 2019. After this time they will be available for resale. There is no refund for t-shirts not collected on time.

There is plenty of parking around the area. Parking will also be provided via a gold coin donation in Signal Park with proceeds going to Busselton Primary School P&C. Overflow parking areas have been created however please take care and be mindful of current works being undertaken in and around the area.

Yes, a bag-drop marquee will be provided and will be manned by volunteers from the Robins Hockey Club. The bag-drop service will be available from 6:00am on Sunday 10th February at the cost of a gold-coin donation. The location will be marked on the Site Plan which will be provided in your Swim Bag at check-in.