Drifting all the way to Rotto

After last year’s cancellation due to bad weather, the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim returned in 2025, and our very own Heavy Lift team was up for the challenge!

Dubbed the Heavy Drifters, the team—comprising Heavy Lift General Manager Lorna Rechichi, along with Travis Gaspar, Jonathan Danker, and Tomasz Milewski—took on the 19.7km open water crossing from Cottesloe Beach (Mudurup) to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).

The team spirit was high from the start. Meeting at Swan Yacht Club at 6 am, they travelled by boat to the holding point at Cottesloe.

Tomasz kicked off the swim alongside paddler Nic Brown, who impressively rowed almost 95% of the way.

The team waited until after the first kilometre to link up with Tomasz, who powered through a big opening leg before the relay rotations began, swapping swimmers every five minutes.

The conditions were tough, with choppy waters and swells reaching over two metres in some sections.

As the swim progressed, the last 2–3 hours proved especially challenging, with a strong southwesterly wind slowing their pace.

Despite the rough waters, the team pushed through, coming together to swim the final kilometre side by side to the finish.

A huge congratulations to Lorna, Travis, Jonathan, and Tomasz for representing Heavy Lift in one of WA’s most iconic endurance events! And a special shoutout to paddlers Nic Brown and Hendrick Steytler, as well as boating Captain Dean Brajevic, who kept everything running smoothly.

Check out these amazing photos that one of our Senior Project Coordinators, Hendrick, took during the day.