Swimmers smashed three female records at the Euroz Hartleys Port to Pub and female ultramarathon winner Josie Page says it came as a wave of relief to cross the finish line.
Some 1500 entrants — a record number — hit the water at Leighton Beach on Saturday morning, tackling either a 19.7km or a 25km crossing to Rottnest Island.
For some, the swim provided redemption after this year’s Rottnest Channel Swim had to be abandoned mid-race over dangerous weather concerns.
But Page — who had never swam the Port to Pub’s ultramarathon before — said Saturday’s conditions were ideal for swimmers.
“On the day we had probably perfect weather, not much swell and not much current,” she said.
“Swimming a 5km loop from Leighton to Cottesloe and back first was a little different.
“But I actually thoroughly enjoyed that because the sun was rising on the shoreline and it was really nice before heading out to Rotto.”
Page crossed the finish line in a final time of six hours and one minute, beating last year’s female ultramarathon winner Rebekah Weller, who finished with a time of 6:08.57.
Page initially thought she had fallen short of a record-breaking time when she made it to Rottnest.
“Crossing the finish line, I actually thought I just missed the record,” she said
“Until I’d gotten on to the sand and my dad was yelling at the finish line that I’d got the record.
“It was a huge moment of relief and yeah, quite a proud moment.”
The 25-year-old was joined in breaking records by the KC Australian duo Jaimee Traegar and Bianca Petite, as well as the four-team female category of Chelsea Gubecka, Bianca Monaco, Chantal Liew and Rebekah Weller, who also eclipsed last year’s record.
The 25km ultramarathon male winner was Callum Greenshields in a time of 5:51.
“It was really great to see a lot of the female records were beaten,” Page said.
The multi-race channel crossing entered its ninth year in 2024 and noted its large contingent of young swimmers, including seven 13-year-olds and 28 14-year-olds participating.
Seven swimmers in their 70s also took part.
Page — who works full-time in addition to her intensive training regime — told PerthNow recovery involved a couple of “sleep ins” and low impact training.
“I trained around nine to 10 times in the water a week,” she said.
“And then two strength and conditioning sessions as well.”
In September, the long distance swimmer will head to New York to participate in the 46km Manhattan Island swim.