COMMUNITY: The 2024 inaugural "Shore-2-Shore" Indian Ocean Odyssea Swim Takes Cottesloe Coastline by Storm!

Over the weekend of 9-11 February 2024, the Cottesloe coastline was abuzz with the inaugural "Shore-2-Shore" Indian Ocean Odyssea ultra-marathon swim, attracting a total of 176 enthusiastic competitors from Friday through Sunday.

Hosted by "Swim in Common" (based out of the Claremont Pool) and powered by "Swim Smooth", the goal was simple: to create an inclusive, community-driven event that celebrated the joy of swimming without the pressures of competition as well as the costly logistical headaches associated with most marathon swims. What's more, the event would be available to anyone in the swimming community for no fee at all.

Months of planning and coordination with local authorities and surf life-saving clubs culminated in the realisation of this vision, spearheaded by Swim Smooth Head Coach and experienced marathon swimmer, Paul Newsome. Drawing inspiration from the stage format of the Tour de France, the "Shore-2-Shore" swim comprised three legs spread across three days, covering a total distance of 18 kilometers along the picturesque Cottesloe coastline.

"I've been wanting to run an event like this for years," said Newsome. "This year I missed out on both the iconic Busselton Jetty Swim, as well as my favourite event on the open water swimming calendar, the Rottnest Channel Swim, and so too did many of the swimmers I coach. It finally prompted me to take action to create something that would not only be heaps of fun, open to anyone up for the challenge, but also be the perfect preparation for those attempting the Rottnest Channel Swim, especially for the first time" he added.

One of the distinguishing features of the event was the emphasis on camaraderie and safety. Participants were required to buddy up with a fellow swimmer for the duration of each stage, ensuring mutual support and adding an extra layer of precaution. The camaraderie among swimmers, as they buddied up for safety and support, underscored the spirit of togetherness that defines open water swimming. For those unable to find a partner, Newsome organised swimmers into pace groups (like the London or Boston marathon), which had the added benefit of fostering new connections within the community.

"I wanted the swim to be agnostic of whichever club, squad, coach or "pod" people might ordinarily swim with - the goal was to make this a swim truly 'for the people, by the people'," commented Newsome.

The swim itself provided a breathtaking journey through the Indian Ocean in some of the best recorded conditions the coast has ever seen. Participants encountered a myriad of marine life, including dolphins, sea lions, an obese seal (you can see him at 03:21) and even a 'fever' of stingrays. Gemma O'Brien, the youngest entrant at 15 years old, marvelled at the diverse wildlife, while Nic Harrison, the oldest participant at 70 years young, epitomised the event's ethos of inclusivity and enjoyment.

Reflecting on the experience, husband and wife duo Yolanda and Johnno Carstens from South Africa described it as an unforgettable long weekend of swimming. "It's not just about the race; it's about being with friends and relishing the pure pleasure of open water swimming," they remarked.

Commenting on the importance of increasing access to open water swimming events without the exclusivity of prohibitively high entrance fees, Newsome added, "the profoundly positive feedback and the shared sense of accomplishment among participants reaffirm the significance of community-driven initiatives like the "Shore-2-Shore" swim. It has been an honour to witness the birth of a new tradition—one that celebrates the beauty of our coastline and the strength of our swimming community."

The overwhelming success of the "Shore-2-Shore" Indian Ocean Odyssea swim has firmly placed it on the map of must-attend swimming events. With its unique blend of community spirit, breathtaking scenery, and emphasis on enjoyment over competition, the event promises to be a fixture on the Cottesloe coastline for years to come.

👏 With special thanks to the Fremantle, Cottesloe, North Cottesloe, Swanbourne, City Beach, Floreat, Scarborough and Trigg SLSCs, as well as the Polar Bears, the Pod Squad, and Cliff Ford of Shore Face for some excellent drone footage included in this video presentation.