The 2025 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships and OceanSwim Festival took place last weekend, January 23-26, at the iconic Busselton Jetty, located 220km southwest of Perth. This year’s event welcomed a record number of athletes, blending high-performance competition with community-focused OceanSwim races, making it one of Australia’s most anticipated open water events of the year.

The Championships featured over 400 participants, including a record field of 15 international swimmers. With perfect conditions and water temperatures hovering around 22 degrees, the event attracted an exceptional field, including Paris Olympic medalists Moesha Johnson, Chelsea Gubecka, Kyle Lee, and Nick Sloman, who competed for a $50,000 prize purse in the 10km races. The festival also included community races ranging from 500m to 10km, drawing hundreds of amateur swimming enthusiasts.

Moreton Bay Swimming (MBS) athletes Rosy Ryan and Rose Purcell delivered outstanding performances among the nation’s top talent.

• Rosy Ryan competed in the Girls’ 18-19 years 10km event, demonstrating incredible improvement and resilience. Ryan secured 4th place, achieving a remarkable 8-minute personal best (PB) and finishing just 30 seconds shy of the medals. This result solidifies Ryan’s position as a top contender for future international selection and highlights her determination in one of the event’s most challenging races.
• Rose Purcell, a rising star in the Girls’ 14 years 5km, placed 6th in a competitive field, underscoring her talent and potential in the open water discipline.

The championships provided opportunities for age-group swimmers to compete alongside Australia’s elite and international competitors, with World Junior Championships selection on the line. For the second year, the event also celebrated community participation, offering races for swimmers of all abilities and onshore entertainment, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere.

The 2025 Championships were made possible with the support of the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program, funded by Royalties for Regions, and the City of Busselton.

Congratulations to Rosy Ryan and Rose Purcell for their remarkable achievements. Their performances reflect the strength of the MBS program and its commitment to nurturing elite talent. We look forward to supporting their continued success in the open water arena.