Swim for 4 hours. Change lives for a lifetime.
Join the City of Wanneroo's inaugural 24-Hour Swimathon and make a splash for Telethon during the Telethon Weekend on Saturday 17-18 October 2026.
On this page:
From 1:30pm Saturday to 1:30pm Sunday, swimmers will take to the pool at our leisure centre, Wanneroo Aquamotion, to raise funds for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Western Australia. Whether you're a seasoned lap swimmer, part of a club, swimming with friends, or simply looking to challenge yourself for a great cause, this event is your opportunity to make a real difference.
The challenge is simple: apply as an individual or team and take on one four-hour swimming timeslot as part of our 24-hour event. You don't need to swim for the full 24 hours to be part of something extraordinary. Every lap completed and every dollar raised will help Telethon continue funding life-changing medical research, equipment, programs and services for WA children and their families.
Supporting children and helping them thrive is at the heart of what we do. Through Wanneroo Aquamotion's Dolphin Program, we've spent more than 20 years helping children and adults of all abilities build confidence, independence and lifelong water safety skills in an inclusive environment. This Swimathon is another way our community can come together to support young Western Australians and create lasting impact.
How it works
- Apply as an individual or team of up to 4 members and indicate your preferred four-hour swim timeslot.
- After your application has been confirmed via email, pay the $50 application fee (per team or solo application).
- Create your fundraising page, promote your swim and start collecting donations.
- Dive in during the Telethon Weekend and help keep the Swimathon going over 24 continuous hours.
Every dollar you raise helps Telethon support children and families across Western Australia through life-changing services, medical research, equipment and community programs. Your fundraising can have a lasting impact on the lives of local children when they need it most.
Limited places are available so secure your place early, start fundraising and be part of history as we launch the City of Wanneroo's first ever 24-Hour Swimathon.
Apply
Please complete our 24-hour Swimathon application form below to lodge your solo or team application, or apply for a lane booking for organisations/groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Swimathon is open to anyone aged 10 years and over who is comfortable swimming laps in a 25m pool and wants to help raise funds for Telethon. Participants under 18 years of age will require a parent or guardian to be present while swimming their laps. You don't need to be a competitive swimmer to take part.
You can choose to participate on your own as a solo swimmer, or as a team up to a maximum of 4 swimmers (with one swimmer in the pool at a time).
Put simply, you need to participate swimming laps over a 4-hour period. That could be a swim on your own, or in a team of up to 4 people.
Businesses, organisations and community groups can also express interest in booking 6 consecutive timeslots, allowing team members to work together to keep their lane active for the full 24 hours while maximising fundraising opportunities for Telethon.
Do I need to be able to swim for 4 hours?
The Swimathon is all about challenging yourself and contributing as many laps as you can for Telethon. If you need a bit of a break, bring your flippers or a kickboard and keep yourself in the action while you recharge.
If 4 hours feels like a big ask, consider entering as part of a team and sharing the challenge with friends, family or colleagues so you can rotate in and out of the water as needed; however, only one swimmer from each team may be in the lane at any one time.
How much is it to participate?
There is a $50 application fee for each time slot (per team of up to 4 swimmers or per solo application). This fee includes a participant gift and helps supports the additional staffing required during the 24-hour event.
What time slots are there to choose from?
The Swimathon will offer the following timeslots starting on Saturday 17 October and finishing Sunday 18 October:
1:30pm - 5:30pm
5:30pm - 9:30pm
9:30pm - 1:30am
1:30am - 5:30am
5:30am - 9:30am
9:30am - 1:30pm
What if my preferred time slot(s) are not available?
We will make every effort to accommodate participants' preferred timeslots. While daytime sessions are expected to be in high demand, we encourage participants to consider an overnight timeslot and take on the fun of swimming through the night for a great cause. Every filled timeslot helps maximise fundraising opportunities and contributes to the overall success of the event. Where a preferred timeslot cannot be accommodated, participants will be offered an alternative timeslot and may choose whether to accept or decline the allocation.
When will I receive confirmation of my participation?
We expect to begin allocating timeslots towards the end of August and will continue doing so after this as further applications are received. Following the allocation of timeslots participants will receive an email to confirm/offer a timeslot. This email will provide instructions for participants to then pay the application fee and setup their fundraising page to start collecting donations.
Do we need to record our laps?
Yes, swimmers will be required to record the number of laps/distance undertaken during their slot. These numbers will be collated to provide a review at the end of the event and awards will also be on offer for highest number of laps/distance completed.
Participants are responsible for tracking their own laps. Teams may have a non-swimming team member assist with lap counting, while solo swimmers should arrange for a support person to help record laps during their session. Please note that lap-counting assistance will not be available from City staff.
Yes! Awards will be presented for:
- Highest number of laps/distance swum (Team)
- Highest number of laps/distance swum (Solo)
- Highest fundraising value (Team)
- Highest fundraising value (Solo)
While a little friendly competition is encouraged, the greatest reward is knowing you've helped raise vital funds for Telethon to support sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged WA children and their families.
Is there a minimum amount I need to fundraise?
No, there is no minimum fundraising target. However, participants are expected to make a genuine effort to support the fundraising goals of the event. As places are limited, the City reserves the right to withdraw or reallocate a participant's place where it appears there is no active fundraising activity. This condition is to ensure limited participant places are allocated to those committed to supporting Telethon and maximising fundraising outcomes.
Can my family and friends come to support me?
Yes, of course! We welcome spectators and in the spirit of fundraising for a worthy cause, we simply ask for a gold coin donation per person which will go to Telethon.
What do I need to know before turning on up the day?
Participants will receive further direction via email and an online briefing will also be held closer to the event to ensure everyone is prepared. Staff, including trained lifeguards and first aid personnel, will be on site around the clock so you’ll be supported no matter what time you’re swimming.
How many people will I be sharing a lane with?
There are 2 teams allocated to each lane, which means you’ll be sharing your lane with just one other swimmer.
How to donate
This is a chance for our community to come together, get behind a cause that matters, and make a lasting difference in the lives of WA children. Show your support by donating here today.
Terms and Conditions
- The 24-hour Swimathon is open to swimmers 10 years of age and older. Swimmers under 18 years of age require a parent/guardian to be present (who is not swimming at the same time).
- Participants are responsible for tracking their own laps. Teams may wish to have a non-swimming team member assist with lap counting, while solo swimmers should arrange for a support person to help record laps during their session. Please note that lap-counting assistance will not be available from City staff.
- An application fee of $50 per team application (or per solo application) is required to be paid before you or your team’s place is secured.
- The City will attempt to secure a swimmers preferred slots wherever possible. In the event the preferred slots are not available, an alternative will be offered that the swimmer will have the option to accept or decline.
- Swimmers must disclose any medical conditions through the application form or further written contact with the City.
- The City reserves the right to withdraw a participant's place if, in the City's reasonable opinion, the participant is not actively fundraising or supporting the fundraising objectives of the event. In such a case, reimbursement of the application fee is at the City’s discretion.