Rottnest Swim 2026 on Brink as 55km/h Winds Spark Safety Fears
A powerful weather system is threatening to shut down one of the world’s most iconic open-water swims and thousands of athletes are now holding their breath.
The 2026 Rottnest Channel Swim, the legendary 20-kilometre crossing from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia, is facing possible cancellation as dangerous winds barrel toward Perth. Forecasts are predicting strong south-westerly gusts of up to 55 kilometres per hour on race morning, conditions that officials say could mirror the extreme weather that forced the event to be abandoned in 2024.
This is not just another sporting event. The Rottnest Channel Swim has been held every year since 1991. It is considered one of the largest open-water swimming events in the world. Thousands of solo swimmers and relay teams train for months, sometimes years, to take on the demanding stretch of ocean. Many travel from interstate and overseas. For some, this is a lifelong goal.
But now, safety is front and centre.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has issued strong wind warnings, with rough seas expected from the early hours of the morning. Winds are forecast to strengthen as the day goes on, creating challenging and potentially dangerous conditions across the channel. Support boats, kayakers and safety crews would all be exposed to heavy swell and shifting currents.
Organisers say they are closely monitoring air and water temperatures, current speeds, wind direction and any storm activity. A final decision could come as late as 4:30am on race day, barely an hour before the first swimmers are scheduled to enter the water.
Already, some experienced boat skippers are pulling out. Without a skipper, swimmers cannot compete. For many, the risk is simply too high. Others are waiting, hoping for a last-minute improvement in the forecast.
If the swim is cancelled, it cannot be rescheduled. The logistics are too complex, the costs too high and the shipping lanes too tightly controlled. It would mark only the third cancellation in more than three decades, a rare interruption for an event that has even persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic.
For now, thousands remain in limbo. Months of preparation hang in the balance. The final call will come down to one priority, the safety of swimmers, crews and volunteers.
We will continue to follow developments closely as organisers make their decision. Stay with us for the latest updates on the fate of the 2026 Rottnest Channel Swim and all major stories unfolding around the world.
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