Bianca Monaco: Reigning teen champion braces for potential rocky weather ahead of Saturday’s channel swim

Training nine times a week is no small feat — but for 18-year-old Bianca Monaco, its just part of the process as she gears up to take on Saturday’s Rottnest Channel Swim after a triumphant win last year.

But unpredictable weather forecasted for the weekend could put that plan into limbo.

“I’m pretty excited, but I’m definitely starting to feel the nerves with the weather,” Ms Monaco said.

“It’s a 20km race, so it really is challenging.”

Rottnest Channel Swim Association organisers on Wednesday were “closely monitoring the weather forecast” in the lead-up to the open water event.

Individual skippers of the boats used to support swimmers were also advised to consider the weather advice before they decide to set out early on Saturday morning.

“At this stage, it is too early to predict if the event will be delayed or cancelled,” the statement read.

“The RCSA will meet with a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology on Thursday and Friday for further updates, as well as with the University of Western Australia’s Coastal Oceanography Group for information on predicted currents.”

According to BoM, Saturday’s forecast is set for a sunny day with a max of 26 degrees. However, light winds are predicted to become south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.

Poor weather conditions can make progress for swimmers very slow, exacerbating the risk of hypothermia. It can also result in safety crews being stretched to maximum capacity.

This was the case in 2024, when the swim was cancelled mid-way after weather conditions deteriorated, causing thousands of swimmers to immediately pull out of the race.

Several swimmers were rescued by Fremantle Marine Rescue and four were sent to hospital as a precaution.

Ms Monaco will compete in the race for the third time this year, in the Champions of the Channel elite category, going up against about 20 other soloists selected by the organisers.

The elite swimmers will be the first to depart from Cottesloe, leaving the beach just before sunrise for the 20km-long swim, which Ms Monaco finished last year in just four hours, 18 minutes and 57 seconds.

“It’s cool to be among some of the best swimmers in the Champs of Channel although on the start line everyone lines up on equal footing as there is so much that can happen on the day,” she said.

“The race always has great atmosphere, and brings so many swimmers of all abilities together.”

Attadale-based Monaco started swimming when she was 10-years-old and moved into competitive swimming aged 13.

She trains at North Coast Swim Club, which operates out of the Sir Thomas Wardle swimming pool complex at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School at Karinyup.

Just last month, she took out gold in the Australian Open Water Championships in the 19-year-old female division — a 10km long race held at Koombana bay in Bunbury.

Rottnest Channel Swim Association president Will Rollo said the 2026 Champions of the Channel field was set to be the strongest yet, and would give local open water swimming talent the opportunity to compete in their own backyard against the world’s best.

“This year we are genuinely ecstatic to welcome one of the greatest open water swimmers of all time in Gregorio Paltrinieri, alongside some incredible international and national athletes, to take on Western Australia’s very best,” Mr Rollo said.

“Having the world’s best swimmers come to our event highlights just how strong WA swimming is. WA has the largest community open water series in southern hemisphere, and the momentum right now is huge.”