The Rottnest Channel Swim takes place annually every February. It is
one of the longest open ocean swims in the world at 19.2km from
Cottesloe Beach in Perth, to Rottnest Island. Each year, swimmers from
around Australia and the world travel to Perth to take part in this
international event that attracts around 1500 swimmers and over 10,000
spectators!
Race day is a frenzy of activity for the Rottnest Channel Swim Association who has the enormous task of organising such a spectacle. Coordinating the many sponsors, volunteers, employees and participants is a huge task and one that can sometimes present its challenges.
One factor outside the control of the organisers is the weather. Each year, in the early hours of race day morning, the event organisers have to decide if the race will go ahead or not, based on the current and expected weather conditions. As Perth is a notoriously windy city, this decision is usually left until the very last minute, giving the Association approximately 30 minutes to notify all competitors and sponsors.
The Rottnest Channel Swim Association broadcasts the “GO or NO-GO” race messages over the radio, but found that many people still missed this announcement because they were so busy in preparation for the event. The Association then looked to alternatives that would enable them to communicate directly with each competitor using a tool they all have – their mobile phones.
In 2008, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association used the services of Digital Dialogue to send automated voice broadcast messages to everyone’s mobile and landline phones. The decision was made to go ahead with the event in 2008 at 6am on race day. Digital Dialogue sent voice broadcast messages to all competitors and sponsors at 6:30am – and in less than 5 minutes, everyone was notified that the race was going ahead for 2008 and wished “good luck” by the major sponsor, BankWest.
Here is the "RACE-ON" message: Listen to the message
Fortunate, the RCSA didn't need to use this cancellation message: Listen to the message
“Communication is a huge component of the Rottnest Channel Swim. The Rottnest Channel Swim Association used this technology (voice broadcasting) for the first time in 2008 after it was recommended by a swimmer in 2007. I could not believe the ease in which I was able to communicate to the swimmers, sponsors, volunteers and external providers. The message system is a great idea, very cost effective and so easy to set up. The RCSA will look at even more messaging options for 2009.”
Matija Fanetovich, Rottnest Channel Swim Association.
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