Get ready to dive into a thrilling new chapter in Australian swimming! Sam Short, one of Australia’s most versatile swimmers, is making waves—literally—by taking on the unpredictable world of ocean swimming. At just 22, this Queenslander is no stranger to the pool, boasting world championship medals in distances from the 4x200m relay to the grueling 1,500m. But here’s where it gets exciting: in 2026, Short is set to swap the controlled environment of the pool for the open ocean, competing in the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships at Koombana Bay in Bunbury, Western Australia. And this is the part most people miss—he’s not just dipping his toes in; he’s tackling the 10km, 5km, and the brand-new 3km knockout event, all in his debut open water championships. Why does this matter? Because it’s part of a bold strategy that could pave the way for even more Australian swimming triumphs at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Short’s journey into open water isn’t entirely unfamiliar. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, he’s a surf lifesaving veteran, following in the footsteps of his dad, Danny, and uncles who competed for the Maroochy Surf Club. His distinctive loping style, honed in the surf, recently helped him win the iconic Lorne Pier to Pub race in Victoria alongside fellow Surf Lifesaver-turned-Dolphin, Lani Pallister. But open water swimming is a whole new beast. And this is where it gets controversial—can a pool champion truly dominate the unpredictable ocean?
For starters, there’s the challenge of feeding mid-race, something Short has never done before. ‘I did a little bit of practice yesterday, actually, to get my head around it,’ he admits to ABC Sport. Then there’s navigating the ocean itself. ‘You’ve got to swim with the ocean, not against it,’ Short explains. ‘And you’ve got to keep your course straight, otherwise you end up swimming hundreds of meters extra.’ Unlike the pool, there are no lane ropes to guide you, and competitors can swim right over you, invading your personal space. ‘It’s a whole new level of tactical awareness,’ Short adds, though his surf lifesaving background gives him an edge.
But the real game-changer? The 3km knockout event. Introduced at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, this format is the brainchild of Australia’s open water coach, Fernando Possenti. It’s a high-octane mix of endurance and speed, where swimmers are progressively eliminated after 1,500m, 1,000m, and finally a 500m sprint. ‘You can’t start too slow or you’re out, but you can’t go too hard or you’ll burn out,’ Short explains. ‘It’s incredibly tactical and exciting.’ This format was designed to captivate TV audiences, and it’s already shaking up the sport.
But here’s the bold question: Is open water swimming’s future in shorter, faster races, or will the traditional long-distance events remain king? Possenti argues that the sport needs more adrenaline-pumping moments to attract viewers. ‘If we want public support, we need to get them excited,’ he says. The knockout format does just that, blending strategy, speed, and endurance. And with Swimming Australia exploring the inclusion of a 4x1,500m relay in the 2032 Games, Australia could have a secret weapon.
This new relay event could be a game-changer for Australia’s distance swimmers, many of whom, like Short and Pallister, have a surf lifesaving background. ‘We already have a strong team, but adding pool swimmers—like the Europeans do—could give us an edge,’ Possenti notes. And Short is all in. ‘Australia has a rich history in distances like the 1,500m,’ he says. ‘With these events in the Olympics, it’s a huge incentive for young athletes.’
Looking ahead to 2032, the possibilities are thrilling. With talents like Moesha Johnson and Lani Pallister already dominating, and Short aiming to join them, Australia could be a gold medal contender in these new events. But what do you think? Can Australia’s surf lifesaving heritage translate into Olympic gold in open water? Or will the ocean prove too unpredictable? Let us know in the comments—the debate is just beginning!
