On the Day
Q. Where is the event?
A. Please see map above. The event is held at South Beach in Fremantle.
Q Where can I park?
A. Please see map above. Wilson Park is available for parking. Please car share or walk or cycle if possible as parking is limited. Follow the directions of the Parking Marshals so everyone can get in and out easily. Overflow parking is also available opposite Sealanes on Marine Terrace. There is also a small amount of parking at the northern end of CY O’Connor beach. Enter via Rollinson Road and walk up via the bike path.
Q Can I enter on the day?
A. The event has sold out online for the last two years so it is unlikely there will be spaces left for late entries. Early bird entries online are $35 until midnight Tuesday 31 October. After that they will be $40. All Try it Entries are $15. The overall cap on swimmers numbers is 500 across all events. If there are still spaces for late entries on the day they will be $50 for 1.6km and 3.2km and $15 for 250m.
Q What time do registrations open and what time does the race start?
A. Registrations open at 6.30 am and close at 7.30 am. Please make sure you arrive in plenty of time to park and register. The COMPULSORY race briefing will be held on the beach at 7.45
Q What time does the race start?
A. The first wave starts at 8am with other waves following in intervals of around 5 minutes. Attendance at the 7.45 Race briefing is mandatory as this will advise the order of the waves.
Q. What time will it finish?
A. Most swimmers have usually completed the various courses by 9.30am so that’s when we’ll start prize giving. Officials and water safety crews will remain on the beach /in the water until the last swimmer exits the water. The last swimmer must leave the water by 10am.
Q. What happens if the race is cancelled?
A. Race coordinators will access conditions and make a decision as early as possible on the day of the event (around 5.30am) If the weather is bad or some other risk makes the swim too dangerous, Blue Chip timing will send a notification text to all registered participants. There will be no refunds.
Q. What food options are available onsite?
A. The Jandakot Lakes Lions Club offer Bacon and Egg Rolls. You can preorder when you enter or you can buy one on the day. Tap and Go is available. Also South Beach Café is a Sponsor and are offering all swimmers 50c off any coffee and hot and cold drinks. Show them the race number on your arm to claim your discount.
Q. Is water available?
A. Bring your water bottles, we will have a trailer with chilled water available to fill your bottle. There are also bubblers if you need to drink directly. We discourage the use of single use plastic drink bottles.
Q. Where can I see my results?
A. The results will be available almost live. Search Blue Chip Timing results on your phone and follow the link: www.bluechipresults.com.au
Q. What happens to my entry money?
A. The event is run by the volunteers from the Fremantle Masters Swimming Club. Your entry fee covers the costs of many things including for Water Safety through Coogee Surf Lifesaving and St John Ambulance. It also pays for Insurance, Event Sanctioning, Timing and Registration services, Caps and equipment and venue hire. If the event makes a profit, a significant share of this goes to our two nominated charities, Freo Street Doctor https://www.blackswanhealth.com.au/freo-street-doctor/ and St Pats Community Support Centre https://stpats.com.au . Last year we donated $3,500 to each charity.
Q. How does the Fremantle Ports Swim Thru support the Fremantle Community?
A. Besides supporting Fremantle Street Doctor and St Pats, the Fremantle Ports Swim Thru promotes a range of local business as sponsors. The kind donations for these sponsors are used to support the event running costs and for age group and spot prizes. We encourage you to hang around in Freo after the event and visit and enjoy the fruits of our sponsor businesses.
Q. What can I do after the swim?
A. There are many things to do in Fremantle see https://visitfremantle.com.au The free CAT Bus service starts at 10AM see https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/free-cat-bus