Cash Prize revealed as Olympic medallists descend on Aus Open Water Championships

BOOSTED by Olympians and world champions, a record number of athletes will compete for a $50,000 prize purse at this month’s Australian Open Water Championships and OceanSwim Festival at Busselton in Western Australia.

A cracking women’s field is headlined by Paris Olympic medallists – Moesha Johnson (Australia, silver) and Ginevra Taddeucci (Italy, bronze), while Australia’s world championship relay quartet of Johnson, Chelsea Gubecka, Kyle Lee and Nick Sloman will all race through one of the most recognisable jetties in Australia.

The four-day event from January 23-26 in Busselton, some 220km southwest of Perth, is the first major Australian-based swimming event of the year and more than 400 athletes will hit the water including a record field of 15 international swimmers.

For Australian athletes, selection for the World Championships in Singapore and Junior World Championships in Romania is on the line while all competitors are in the running for the $50K prize purse for the Top 8  finishers in the men’s and women’s 10km that features $8000 for the first, $6000 for second and $1500 for third descending down in value to 8^th place.

In what is the strongest field ever to contest this event; athletes from Italy, Great Britain, Sri Lanka, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, Seychelles and South Africa will also line up.

Proud West Australian and Dolphin #828 Kyle Lee said Busselton was one of the most picturesque places in the world to compete and is easily one of his favourite events.

Paris Olympian Lee, who anchored the 4x1500m mixed relay team that won gold at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, said: “It’s a special place to swim and for me, it’s home and it’s just so stunning. And it’s the first time all our guys will be together after Paris – which is also pretty cool.”

The event is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program, funded by Royalties for Regions, and the City of Busselton.

For the third year running, the event blends high-performance racing with the community focused OceanSwim races on January 25, attracting elite athletes and hundreds of amateur swimming enthusiasts.

A variety of distances are on offer for the community swim, including 500m, 1.25km, 2.5km, 5km, 7.5km and 10km, with registrations to be taken right up to race time.

Spectators attending the OceanSwim Festival will also be treated to a number of onshore activities, including music and entertainment for kids and other activities. Taste testing of the official hydration supplement of Australia’s number one sport – swimming – and Cody Simpson’s favourite hydration drink Dr. Hydrate is also on offer.

Swimming Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Woodhouse said the record number of athletes – both domestic and international – was testament to the quality of the location, the excellence of racing experience, and professionalism of the event.

“Over the past two years, this has become a hugely sought after bucket-list event. A summer saltwater experience at Busso – where athletes and weekend warriors get to experience quality racing is a January must – and we couldn’t deliver it without our partners – the WA State Government, Swimming WA, and Tourism WA, and of course, the City and people of Busselton,” he said.

“The picturesque location and ocean swimming culture in WA creates an experience for the swimmers unlike any in Australia, and the calibre of competitors this year, especially with our four returning Olympians, has attracted world-class racing.

“But really, to have all levels of the swimming community – from elites through to amateurs all competing in such a pristine and wonderful environment – is really, really special.”

City of Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin added: “We are thrilled to once again host Australia’s premier Open Water Swim. With our pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the iconic Busselton Jetty offering fantastic views, it’s the perfect setting for both participants and spectators alike.”