The Busselton Jetty Swim will go ahead on February 13 and 14, 2021 as Perth and Peel come out of their COVID-19 lockdown at midnight on Saturday.
The committee made the decision to proceed with the event following Premier Mark McGowan's announcement that the South West would no longer have to lockdown from 6pm on February 5.
While the hard lockdown in Perth and Peel was lifted, residents in those areas have been prohibited from travelling between regions until 12.01am on February 14.
Early bird entries to next year's swim was offered to people who could no longer attend and start times have been pushed back an hour to accommodate people who will travel from Perth and Peel.
There were 3,600 tickets sold in a record time for this year's event, with 600 people now opting out, spots could potentially be opened for those who missed out and were on the wait list.
A Busselton Jetty Swim spokesperson said they did consider offering refunds, along with cancelling or rescheduling the event but to ensure they could deliver the event in the future decided to proceed.
"We will continue this week to enquire into as many initiatives to make the travel to Busselton as comfortable as possible and to appease swimmers that are now unable to attend as a result of the restriction," the spokesperson said.
"The committee were incredibly grateful for the strong state government leadership and the responsibility shown by the Western Australian public over the past week that has allowed us to make the event possible, which at many times, over the course of the last 12 months, had seemed an impossibility."
To kick the event off, the Busselton Jetty Swim Sunset Concert is going ahead on Saturday, February 13 at the main stage on the foreshore.
The free family concert commences with local artists vying for the title of the Battle of the Bands 2021 at 6pm.
They will be followed by Tod Johnston and PeaceLove who will rock the amphitheatre with popular classics from across the decades,
The headline act is Death by Denim - a four-piece alt-indie formation known for their high energy live shows, versatile song writing and tendency to wear outlandish combinations of denim.
Busselton Allsports Inc. president Kat Rafferty said they were always amazed how well the Busselton Jetty Swim was received and it was a testament of its popularity when the event sells out at the pace they experienced in a year of uncertainty.
"One thing that we do know is that we have always remained true to the ethos of the swim, keeping it affordable, inclusive with focus on participation and the community," she said.
"A huge thanks must go out to our phenomenal team of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes all year and for all the show of support from the community of recent.
"We couldn't be prouder as we enter into our 26th year.
"I would encourage all local residents to come down to the foreshore on Saturday night, and support the performers who have suffered over the course of the pandemic and have a hunger to perform in front of a live audience again.
"The concert will be an opportunity to unite our community, welcome our swimmers and enjoy the ambiance of our beautiful Geographe Bay."
