Lake Argyle Swim

The Lake Argyle Swim is an iconic long-distance swimming competition held annually in the stunning waters of Lake Argyle, Western Australia. The event is a significant drawcard for the region kicking off the dry season, attracting local, national, and international participants with its Solo, Duo, and Quad categories covering two a challenging courses of 10 and 20 kilometres.

The primary objective was to create a unique, engaging, and inclusive event that promoted fitness and showcased the natural beauty of the East Kimberley. The project faced several challenges, including the remote location, logistics, safety concerns, and the need for substantial community engagement to ensure success.

In 2011, following a couple of false starts, Taneille Brann took the helm of the event with a community-focused approach to organising the event. In creating a not-for-profit association the ‘Lake Argyle Swim Incorporated’ the newly formed committee gave the event the stability it required to become the successful ‘sell out’ event it is today. The inaugural committee wanted to create a sense of ownership among the local community, fostering a long term approach to relationships with local businesses, schools, and volunteers.

Building this sense of community was not a one-off effort but an ongoing process that started long before the event. Here are some of the steps the team took:

Outreach: The team held regular town hall meetings to share plans, gather feedback, and involve the community in decision-making. This approach helped the project gain local support and fostered transparency.

Volunteer Engagement: The team sought volunteers from local schools, sports clubs, and businesses, turning the Lake Argyle Swim into a community-driven event. The volunteers helped with everything from safety, to logistical support, they provided boats, kayaks, accommodation and transport. Businesses designed logos and ordered merchandise for the swimmers.

Partnering with Local Businesses: Local businesses were involved in various capacities, including sponsorship, supplies, and logistical support. This involvement not only helped the event financially but also created a sense of investment among the business community.

Education and Awareness: Taneille personally donated her time to local affiliated sports clubs (for example as the treasurer for the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club), conducted swimming meet ups and provided training plans as a qualified swim instructor. Furthermore she created and prepared the monthly ‘Newsplash’ eNewletter as a means of communicating with swimmers, volunteers and sponsors. She spoke to every participant personally, answering questions on required fitness levels, the lake's ecosystem and travel tips for those coming from out of town.

Thanks to the community-focused approach, the Lake Argyle Swim has grown from a local event to an internationally recognised swimming event and competition. The people of Kununurra feel a sense of ownership and pride for the event, as evidenced by the increasing number of volunteers and local business involvement each year. The event has boosted tourism, benefiting local businesses and bringing economic growth to the region.The Lake Argyle Swim underscores the power of community involvement in project success. By involving the community at every stage, from planning to execution, Taneille and the committee turned potential challenges into opportunities, transforming the Lake Argyle Swim into a globally recognised event that fosters tourism and economic development.