Island Escape: Rotto, the day by day

Five days, one island, and nothing to carry but your paddle. From Saturday 14 to Wednesday 18 November 2026 we paddle across to Rottnest, base ourselves in a big share house on Thomson Bay, spend two days chasing the best conditions around Wadjemup, then ride the full Doctor course home to Sorrento. Clear water, proper downwind, snorkelling between sessions and dinner cooked for you every night. Here is how it runs, day by day.

Is this you?

You love being on a ski and you want a few days where paddling is the whole point. You want to cross to Rotto under your own steam, with a support boat beside you. You want coaching that actually changes how you paddle, and you want to finish the week having paddled the exact course of The Doctor a few days before the race itself. If that sounds like you, keep reading.

You do not have to be a hero. We paddle as a group and regroup often, so nobody gets left behind and nobody gets held up. On the way home you can swap onto the boat or into a double ski at any regroup, and there is no pressure to paddle every kilometre. If hardcore is your middle name, you can do every one of them.

The crew

Coaching comes from Reece Baker and Murray Stewart, a three time Olympian in sprint kayaking with Aussie surf titles and plenty of downwind results to his name. Fi Baker runs logistics and the kitchen, and Bec Stewart keeps the whole show moving. Two coaches on the water means you get real feedback, every day, in real conditions.

The support boat

MV Wildcat, a commercially chartered vessel with a commercially qualified skipper who knows Rottnest waters very well, is with us for both crossings. We also run two double skis with a coach in each, so you can cycle in and out through the paddle. A PFD and leg leash are worn on every session, no exceptions.

How the days work

Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday have a set shape. Monday and Tuesday are built each morning around the best conditions on the island. The wind decides, and that is exactly what makes it good: we go where the paddling is best that day, not where a schedule says we should be.

Where we stay

A big share house at the southern end of Thomson Bay, a short walk from the pub and the sand. Four bedrooms with two king singles each plus a large bunk room, linen and towels provided, and lots of room to spread out. Reece and Fi will be in swags on the front verandah under the stars.

Food

All food on the island is included and cooked for you. Fi loves to cook, so expect to eat well, hopefully with some fresh seafood in the mix. Lunch is waiting on the beach when you land on Sunday. Soft drinks are covered and alcohol is bring your own.

The plan, day by day

Saturday 14 November: arrive, shake out, dinner

Settle in to Perth, then meet the crew for an afternoon paddle at Port Beach to shake out the travel and get comfortable on your ski before the crossing. Dinner together in Cottesloe that evening.

Sunday 15 November: cross to Rottnest on the easterly

We launch from Cottesloe Beach mid morning, meet the support boat on the water and paddle across as a group, about 19 km, in short segments with regular regroups. We land at Thomson Bay around midday with lunch waiting, then it is welcome drinks at Hotel Rottnest, the island pub. The afternoon is yours: quokka selfie, hire a bike, snorkel the bay or just find your bearings. Group dinner at the house.

Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November: island days

Two days to play with. Each morning we look at the weather, find the best conditions and go. Across the two days expect exploring paddles along both the north and south coasts, surfing on skis at the break out the front of Thomson Bay, technique work, and downwind runs when the wind is cranking.

Between sessions there is snorkelling (we bring the masks and snorkels) and free time to ride a bike around the island, throw a line in, join a guided walk or look through the old barracks if history is your thing. There are no private cars on Rottnest, so everything happens on foot, by bike or on the island bus.

Wednesday 18 November: ride The Doctor home

Pack up, then a morning session on The Doctor itself: where the race starts, how it works, tactics, navigation and equipment. Late morning the south westerly arrives and we start the paddle back, following the exact route of the race from Rottnest to Sorrento Beach, about 27 km, with the boat alongside. We finish with a debrief in the Sorrento SLSC club rooms.

Staying for race week?

The camp finishes days before The Doctor, so you arrive on the start line having already paddled the course with a coach beside you. We are also running race transport on the Thursday and a technique session at Port Beach on the Friday for anyone staying on.

What is included

$2,400 per person. That covers coaching from Reece and Murray across all five days, the support vessel and skipper on both crossings, three nights in the share house on Rottnest, all food on the island, skis, paddles, PFDs and leg leashes (or bring your own), snorkelling gear, luggage transfer to the house, ferry freight and the island admission fee.

Not included: flights to Perth, your accommodation on the mainland before and after the island, alcohol, and the Saturday night dinner in Cottesloe.

Book your spot

Spots are limited by beds in the house, so first in, best dressed. Book Island Escape: Rotto here. Once you are in, we send the full attendee briefing with pick ups, gear lists and everything else you need. Questions first? Email reece@paddlecollective.com.au.