Thompson’s Bay Rotto swim
Submitted by Matty15 on Wed, 2019-02-20 15:20
Have some mates doing the Rotto swim this year and planning on taking the boat over to check it out, launching at Leeuwin ramp around 8am and hoping to get a beach mooring North of the main jetty as the south side is closed off. Question is at what point can you cross over to come into the North side of the main jetty, or is it just a case of beware of the swimmers?
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JW77
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 16/06/15
They usually have a
They usually have a designated spot in Thompson Bay maned by surf rescue in zodiac's allowing boat's to cross. It's easy to spot once you are in the bay. Last year it wasn't to far back from the end of the main jetty. Your bigger concern will be launching at Leeuwin at 8am. All the support boat's in the swim will have the car park filled up by at least 5-6am.
Live to fish
Matty15
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 19/12/11
Thanks mate, yes parking is
Thanks mate, yes parking is probably my main concern. Do you know if there is overflow parking available?
JW77
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 16/06/15
No, there isn’t any overflow
No, there isn’t any overflow parking and the Ranger is right on to anyone parking illegally. There is a sign as you come in that the Ranger changes when the carpark is full saying the ramp is closed. I’m not sure if that means you can’t even use the ramp and park elsewhere (ie: get someone to take the car & trailer home). That ramp is in a great location being close to the ocean but it’s a shit of a ramp with the current that rips through, the boat wash from all the floating beach houses and small carpark.
Live to fish
Dog1.1
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 07/12/17
Last wave leaves Cottesloe
Last wave leaves Cottesloe at 7.35, head up to Cott and slip in behind, would avoid trying to cut through, there are over 1000 teams/duos/singles so bucket loads of swimmers and support boats. Should be a great day on the water, forecast looking good.
Matty15
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 19/12/11
Yep weather is looking great
Yep weather is looking great all day which makes for a change. No doubt Leeuwin will be busy and don’t want to risk not getting a park so may be better option for me to launch at Matilda Bay instead.
clayd
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 07/12/15
Leave a bit earlier and
Leave a bit earlier and you’ll easily pass in front of the swimmers. Parking, even at Matilda Bay will be a bitch. Don’t forget landing fees or have your annual Rotto pass ready. North end of Thomsons gets busy and we’be had to anchor off the shore. Can you even anchor on the shore there now? Used to have a few first come first served spots. Have a feeling you need to book now.
Matty15
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 19/12/11
Yep rang RIA and free beach
Yep rang RIA and free beach moorings to the North as first come first served. There is a section of beach moorings there for hire. Hopefully get a spot! Cheers mate
dano83
Posts: 790
Date Joined: 25/05/12
Be careful what moorings you
Be careful what moorings you jump on on the beach.. some of them have been booked and paid for and you will get kicked off.... literally every year someone is on the mooring that we have booked lots of people just put an anchor down on the beach and squeeze in there somewhere...when it’s over it’s like spring break... g banger bikinis ect ect and send ya mates to get you a drink from the bar unless you wanna be 5 deep with a sea of guys in cockjocks
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
By far the busiest day of
By far the busiest day of the year over there and one hell of a party after the swim. Weather is looking fanatastic.
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Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Parking @ East Freo
We probably got one of the last parking spots last year a 5am and there was still 10boats lining up to put in.
I would be lunching from Woodman Point. Tons of parking, no real extra time given the perfect conditions vs the 8knot speed limit until you reach the heads.
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
You’ll beat them over
If you leave at 8am and head straight to Rotto you’ll easily beat the first swimmers, so shouldn’t be a problem with crossing over to the north side of the swim channel.
Good luck trying to find parking at Leeuwin ramp in the morning though.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1320
Date Joined: 23/02/11
I think your main struggle
I think your main struggle regardless will be getting a spot at Rotto- las tyear we stayed over the night before on a mooring and the beach (parking) was full at about 7.30 when we were heading to the bakery
Matty15
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 19/12/11
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the feedback gents, will now launch at Matilda Bay which is not ideal as coming from Mandurah and can’t tow on the freeway being 2.6m, will take my tender along in case we have to anchor out a little deeper. Seems like too much hassle sometimes!
Cheers
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1320
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Just a tip on Matilda Bay - I
Just a tip on Matilda Bay - I am a member at RPYC next door - the boat parking in the dirt overflow carpark used to be free on weekends when it was run by the City of Nedlands, City of Perth have taken over the parking in that area recently and you now have to pay for parking on the weekend in the overflow "dirt" car park - Ranger is pretty active so save yourself a fine and buy ticket! :-)
Matty15
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 19/12/11
Thanks mate, will do
Thanks mate, will do