Nine Perth has been named as the official media partner of the iconic South32 Rottnest Channel Swim.
The open-water event, which sees swimmers cross 19.7 kilometres from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island, will celebrate its 36th anniversary on February 21.
Nine, which is also the owner of this masthead, previously sponsored the swim in the 1990s.
9News Perth’s Michael Thomson, centre, with Rottnest Channel Swim Association executive director Addy Wetzler and president Will Rollo.
9News Perth presenter Michael Thomson said he was excited to be involved with the swim again.
“It’s such an iconic event and we would always have at least two teams swimming each year,” he said.
“It was a special time and made us realise just how tough the course was, even in a team of four.”
Nine Perth managing director Clive Bingwa said the swim was “an iconic event that is a cultural highlight of WA with both national and global appeal”.
Rottnest Channel Swim Association executive director Addy Wetzler said the association was thrilled to welcome Nine as its new media partner.
“The South32 Rottnest Channel Swim is one of Western Australia’s most iconic sporting events, and this partnership will help us share the incredible stories of our swimmers, volunteers and community with an even broader audience,” he said.
Association president Will Rollo said Nine’s “enthusiasm, professionalism and community commitment” would bring new energy to the event.
The swim was first held in 1991, with almost 4000 swimmers having crossed the channel solo in the decades since.
Thousands more have joined in duos or teams of four, while at the same time raising millions of dollars for WA-based charities.
Registrations for the 2026 swim will open soon.
