Port to Pub: 1600 swim from Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island in epic WA event

Come hell or high water, these hardy souls were determined to get the pub — toiling through at least 19.7km of ocean waves.

A record 1600 swimmers participated in the Euroz Hartleys Port to Pub, from Leighton Beach in Fremantle to Rottnest Island, on Saturday morning.

Among them were 74 athletes who competed in the longer 25km ultramarathon course, this year dubbed the “25 in 25”.

For the second year running, Josie Page won the epic event, completing the distance in six hours and 10 minutes, 10 minutes ahead of second-placed Clayton Mott.

Caleb McMahon triumphed in the Hotel Rottnest Solo event, swimming 19.75km in four hours, 53 minutes — eight minutes faster than runner-up Jay Prchal.

In the Gage Roads Duo event, Clinton Greener and Richard Kerr were first to the pub, in four hours and 32 minutes.

Event co-founder and managing director Ceinwen Roberts said the weather conditions improved just in time.

“In the lead up this week, it was looking pretty dicey,” she said. “Yesterday would have been cancelled, for sure. Everyone’s battled through the waves and the currents and the wind.

“They’re still all coming through strong, and we’re getting some great results.”

The ultramarathon culminated with the ‘Ringing of The Bell’ as finishers celebrated at Hotel Rottnest.

And it was no ordinary bell — belonging to the STS Leeuwin Training Ship.

It was the first time the bell of the tall ship was rung since the Leeuwin was severely damaged in August 2024 when it was struck by a container ship in Fremantle Harbour.

Ms Roberts said she was thrilled with the continuing growth of the event since its inception in 2016.

“We see 13-year-olds swimming alongside their parents and even grandparents, all the way up to elite level athletes,” she said.