Shore-2-Shore 2026: Made by the People, for the People
Not a Race. Not a Spectacle. Just a Brilliant Swim.
Hey Swimmers
Sorry for the slightly tardy release of last week’s blog! I’ve been a tad busy!
Last weekend marked the 3rd annual Shore-2-Shore here in Perth, Western Australia, and once again it delivered exactly what it set out to do: bring people together for three unforgettable days of open water swimming, shared effort, and genuine enjoyment.
Shore-2-Shore isn’t a race. There are no prizes, no podiums, and no pressure to perform. Instead, it’s an 18km marathon swim split over three days, hugging the Perth coastline and celebrating the simple joy of swimming with your mate in the ocean. That philosophy was evident everywhere you looked:
Three Days. One Coastline. Countless Smiles.
Over 200 swimmers took part this year, from seasoned marathon swimmers to first-timers stepping well outside their comfort zone. What united everyone was the format. Every swimmer had to stay with a buddy for the entire leg each day. Every swimmer wore a tow float. And every pair was supported either by a paddler on a ski paddle or a dedicated beach walker spotting them from shore.
These rules aren’t red tape. They exist to keep everyone safe, connected, and accountable. More importantly, they reinforce the core idea behind Shore-2-Shore: this is something we do together, not alone.
Three Stages, One Epic Journey
Shore-2-Shore covers 18 kilometres over three distinct stages, each designed to progressively build confidence, resilience, and connection in the open water.
Stage 1 – Port Beach to Cottesloe (4.8km)
Day one kicked things off at Port Beach, with swimmers and their buddies heading north into the sunrise for a beautifully scenic 4.8km leg finishing at the Indiana Tea Rooms in Cottesloe. The water was calm but lively, and the laughter and chatter in the lineup spoke to the collective excitement of an ocean swim shared with friends and new mates alike.
Stage 2 – Cottesloe to City Beach (6.5km)
On day two the distance increased and the camaraderie deepened. Setting off from Cottesloe, pairs swam up to South Groyne at City Beach, each kilometre punctuated by encouragement from water and beach supporters. The sea breeze and rolling swell gave just enough push to test technique without overwhelming the spirit of fun and exploration.
Stage 3 – City Beach to South Trigg (6.7km)
The final day brought the longest leg of the event, finishing outside the Surfing WA building at South Trigg. By this point all swimmers had formed a rhythm — checking in with their buddy every few hundred metres, staying bright and visible with tow floats, and soaking up the shared achievement of completing an 18km ocean journey over three inspiring days.
Swim With Your Mate. Stay With Your Mate.
That sense of togetherness is the real heartbeat of Shore-2-Shore. You could see it in the pre-swim chats on the sand, in the constant mid-swim check-ins between buddies, and in the tired but happy legs at the finish each day.
Stronger swimmers eased their pace to stay connected. Less experienced swimmers grew in confidence knowing someone was right there beside them, stroke for stroke. The ocean can be a big place. Swimming it with a mate makes all the difference.
Free to Enter. Priceless to Be Part Of.
What continues to set this event apart is that it is entirely free to enter. No entry fees. No commercial agenda. No hidden upsell. Shore-2-Shore is completely not-for-profit, organised simply because people love swimming and believe that meaningful challenges should be accessible to everyone.
It’s built by volunteers, supported by friends and family on the beach and on paddle skis, and sustained by a community that genuinely wants to see others succeed.
Built by the Community, Powered by the Ocean.
That “made by the people, for the people” spirit has only grown stronger each year. What started as an idea has become a fixture on the Perth open water calendar, not because it’s flashy, but because it’s authentic.
As organiser, I couldn’t be prouder of what this community continues to create. Shore-2-Shore isn’t about proving how tough you are. It’s about connection, consistency, and enjoying the ocean together. Long may it continue.
Thinking “Maybe One Day”? That Day Might Be Closer Than You Think.
If you’ve ever looked at the ocean and wondered whether something like this might be possible for you, Shore-2-Shore offers a gentle reminder: big swims don’t start with big egos or heroic bravado. They start with showing up, finding a mate, and taking it one stroke at a time. Split over days, shared with others, and supported every step of the way, challenges like this become far more achievable than they first appear. You don’t need to be fearless. You don’t need to be the fastest. You just need a willingness to commit, to stay connected, and to trust the process. And before you know it, you’re not just swimming the coast - you’re part of a community that believes the ocean is better when we experience it together.
Thanks for reading,
Your Coach, Paul
Could something be started in the French Méditerranéen or somewhere nearer for British people?
Hi Paul, really love the ethos of this swim weekend and loved the photos and report. A few of us spoke about doing something similar in Nairn - which has a large group of hardy sea swimmers now. Not sure how we start the ball rolling though from just an idea - any suggestions welcome 🏊👍🌊