đˇ Shore-2-Shore: A Free Swim, A Big Challenge, and the Best Kind of Training
What you can learn from 233 swimmers here in Perth for your own approach to long distance swimming.
Hey Swimmers,
Open water swimming has always been about more than just training or racing for me. Itâs about the people, the adventure, and the pure joy of being in the oceanâno fuss, no big fanfare, just swimming for the sake of swimming. Thatâs exactly why I created Shore-2-Shore: a free, three-stage community swim thatâs as much about the mates you share it with as it is about the distance you cover.
A Long Distance Swim Unlike Any OtherâŚ
One thing that sets this event apart is the compulsory buddy systemânot as an afterthought, but as a fundamental part of the swim. Rather than racing solo to the finish like all other open water events, swimmers look out for each other, moving through the ocean as a true duo. This concept borrows heavily from the original ĂtillĂ SwimRun ethos created by Swedes Mats Skott and Michael Lemmel, something I had the chance to fully embrace between 2016 and 2021. That experience, combined with the multi-day format of the Best Fest in Mallorca and the inclusive, free-access nature of Park Run, struck a chord with me.
Shore-2-Shore is a blend of all these influencesâbringing people together for a shared adventure, a real challenge, and a whole lot of fun.
This morning, we had 233 swimmers complete Stage 1 and Iâd like to take this opportunity to tell you a little more about the swim and why this style of swimming can be some of the best training youâll ever experience. But first, whilst weâre eagerly awaiting the fantastic new drone footage of Cliff Ford and his brilliant team of pilots (stay tuned to our Instagram for live updates and images), take a glance back to 2024 in the short video below:
Why âShore-2-Shoreâ?
âThank you for a great event - itâs reinforced my love for swimming! Been many, many years since I have done that distance!â
Emmy Poulsen (above right)
This swim is unapologetically about you, your mates, and the new swim buddies youâll make along the way. Itâs not about fundraising (as worthy as that is in the right context), itâs not about breaking records, chasing trophies, or collecting rego plates. There are no hefty entry fees, no mountains of merchâitâs just a swim.
If that means youâre using it to help prep for Rottnest in three weeksâ time, perfect. If you just fancy stretching out a little further than usual in the ocean and soaking it all up with your friends, thatâs just as valid. Thereâs no right or wrong reason to be hereâitâs your swim, and you get to put your own purpose on it.
Why Stacking Open Water Swims Works
In the blog on 29 November 20241 we spoke a lot about the concept of Quality vs Quantity in your training regime, and tied with this, why âFatigue Stackingâ as I call it, can be so beneficial when done with progressive intent. When we started our 20 Week Rottnest Channel Swim training program some 17 weeks ago, I was getting a lot of ânoiseâ that the program wasnât long enough, or hard enough, and people were worried that they werenât doing enough volume etc when compared to other programs. Firstly, itâs always a mistake to compare with other programs, and secondly, for my crew, itâs all been leading progressively to this point, and that is why this swim is so important for so many of the 100+ solo swimmers Iâve been coaching this year.
Of course, we all know pool training has its place, but nothing quite matches the cumulative fatigue effect of swimming multiple days back-to-back in the actual conditions youâll be racing in. The ocean doesnât care about your CSS pace, your gym routine, or how many kilometers you did in the pool last weekâitâs constantly changing, and you have to adapt.
Thatâs what Shore-2-Shore is all about. Three progressive stages, each one testing you a little more, letting you build experience, resilience, and confidence in the conditions youâll face on race day. And the best part? Itâs way more fun than staring at the black line.
More Than Just a Swim â Itâs a Community
This morning, 233 swimmers took on Stage 1, setting off from Port Beach into calm - but a little murky - water with a bit of a push against the current. We even had a few stingers in the mix to keep things interesting (just part of the deal, right?). But thatâs open water swimmingâit is what it is.
Whether you were first across the âlineâ or last, you got the same pat on the back, the same soggy hug, and the same sense of achievement. Because ultimately, this isnât about where you finishâitâs about sharing the experience, enjoying the challenge, and having a laugh about it over a brew afterwards⌠or notâitâs your call!
A Massive Thanks to Our Support Crew
An event like this wouldnât be possible without the incredible volunteers who give up their time to keep us safe and supported:
â
Cliff Ford, who pulled together eight drone pilots to keep watch from above
â
Ian on the ATV, tracking us from the beach
â
The Surf Life Saving Clubs, always on hand to help out
Their dedication means we can rock up, grease up, and get going with minimal fussâjust like any other ocean training swim. Huge thanks to all of them!
Why Itâs FreeâAnd Why That Matters
Thereâs plenty of open water swimming events out there that cost a small fortune, but Shore-2-Shore isnât about that. Itâs free because I believe everyone should have the chance to experience open water swimming in a fun, supportive, and no-pressure environment.
If we can help just one person build confidence in the ocean, find their love for swimming, or prep for their big goal without breaking the bank, then itâs worth it.
Not in Perth? Hereâs Why You Should Start Something Similar
If youâre reading this from the other side of the planet, maybe wrapped up in a coat, looking out at a frozen lake, or cranking up the heater after another chlorinated pool session, you might be wondering what itâs like to swim here in Perth in the usual glorious sunshine, surrounded by crystal-clear ocean, golden beaches, and a crew of swimmers who live for this stuff.
And I get itâShore-2-Shore might feel a world away from wherever you are right now. But the concept isnât limited to Perth. You donât need warm weather or a huge groupâjust a few mates, a stretch of open water, and a willingness to embrace the elements.
Whether itâs a cold-water dip in the English Channel, a sunrise swim in the Mediterranean, or a winter training session in the lakes of Canada, the key is getting outside, embracing the challenge, and training safely in the environment where youâll be racing.
So if youâre feeling inspired, why not start your own Shore-2-Shore-style adventure? No entry fees, no medalsâjust a chance to push yourself, make new swim buddies, and enjoy the water in whatever way makes sense for you.
Join Us for Stage 2 & 3!
If you are lucky enough to be in Perth, come join us for Stage 2 & 3 this weekend. The swims get longer, the challenge ramps up, but so does the fun, the camaraderie, and the ocean miles in your arms.
So get out of the pool, step into the ocean, and join us. Youâll be amazed at what youâre capable ofâand youâll have a solid crew around you to share the adventure.
See you in the water! đđŞ
Your Coach, Paul
