Bunbury community swim draws bumper crowd

A bumper crowd flocked to the sands of the Bunbury foreshore to watch hundreds swim through the warm waters of Koombana Bay in Western Australia as the community swim – on the same course as the Australian Open Water Championships – cracked more than 500 participants today.

With water temperature a warm 23.6, athletes in the community event – which featured six races over varying distances – accounted for more than half the record number of entries registered for the 2026 Australian Open Water Championships and OceanSwim Festival.

Of all the community swim racers, mum and son team – Liz Stewart-Oliver and son Darcy – travelled the furthest (3500kms) from Mt Sheridan near Cairns to contest the 2.5km swim.

Meanwhile, Colin Lee – father of Olympian and 10km national champion Kyle – travelled just 15km south to win the Super Legend 50+ category, clocking 39: 37 secs.

Swimmers from the age of nine – the youngest being Harrison Bekle (South Bunbury) – through to 76-year-old Tricia Miller competed across events that ranged from 500m through to 10km.

For Freya Keogh, Louise Gojanovich and Karen Wilson – today’s swim was a 12^th, 47^th and 54^th birthday celebration.

Full community swim results here