The Rottnest Channel Swim has been cancelled.
Organisers chose to pull the pin late on Friday, through a text to participants.
The swim was due to be held on Saturday morning, with the first wave of swimmers entering the water at Cottesloe Beach bound for Thomson Bay by 5.45am.
But the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast strong nautical winds of 30 knots, or about 55 kilometres per hour, on Saturday morning, with a strong south-westerly wind due to actively work against swimmers as they cross the channel.
The weather was also set to worsen throughout the duration of the swim.
Organisers agreed conditions made the event too dangerous to go ahead, noting they were similar to those that forced the cancellation of the swim in 2024 – making it the first time the event had been called off in its history.
Competitors previously expressed their frustration after receiving the news by a text sent just after 4am on the morning of the race.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also announced it had cancelled abalone hour on Saturday due to safety concerns.
“The main priority is ensuring fishers’ safety when accessing abalone. Based on the modelling it was determined it would not be safe to proceed with fishing this Saturday,” management officer Aidan Walsh said.
“Compliance officers will be attending beaches within the Western Zone to ensure that abalone fishing is not taking place.
