UniHallers Smash the Rottnest Swim

26 February 2018

Personally, all the early morning swims, late night swims and jellyfish stings were worth it and I would do it all again in a heartbeat,” says Tyson.

On the weekend two University Hall (UniHall) residents plus two of their friends from Geraldton participated in the 2018 Rottnest Channel Swim. Together the team of four completed the swim and in a record time of 6 hours and 5 minutes.

For those who might not know, the swim is highly regarded worldwide and is one of Western Australia’s most iconic events. Swimmers can compete solo or as a duo or in a team for the 19.7km open water swim from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.

Tyson McEwan, University Hall resident from Geraldton, had been closely watching the wind conditions on the Perth weather reports and was stoked on the day to have a strong Easterly wind helping to push the team towards Rottnest. He said conditions were rough in the channel but cleared up around the 13-14km mark.

Apart from a brief moment where the swim stopped due to a shark sighting (all good, the water was deemed safe and the race continued), the team made it to Rottnest in one piece.

“It was a surreal moment reaching the beach where we all high fived each other.

Personally, all the early morning swims, late night swims and jellyfish stings were worth it and I would do it all again in a heartbeat,” says Tyson.