Open water swim series extends to Busselton

Busselton's events schedule is expected to get busier as Swimming WA aims at expanding its Open Water Swimming series to the city.

Round 2 of the 2015-16 is to be held in Busselton and Swimming WA chief executive Darren Beazley said it was hoped about 150 swimmers would take part in the event.

"The demand last year was so enormous, we had 45 per cent growth on the previous year," he said. "We think this is only going to get bigger and bigger."

Mr Beazley said Swimming WA wanted to create a legacy, with plans for local groups to eventually take over the operation of the Busselton leg of the event.

"Hopefully in three to four years you have seven events in regional WA (Swimming WA is) guiding and supporting," he said. "We want to build something that in 10 years time has its own legacy."

The swimming body will work with triathlon organisers and the Surf Life Saving Club to ensure there is no overlap or over-saturation of swimming events.

City of Busselton Mayor Ian Stubbs said the City was "absolutely delighted" to be chosen as one of the regional centres to promote the Open Water Swimming series.

"Hopefully, this event will work in collaboration with the Busselton Jetty swim so we can have two fabulous events in Busselton," he said.

Mr Stubbs said while there was no funding commitment yet, he was fairly confident it would get support from the City.

The series begins at Cottesloe Beach on October 31, before coming to Busselton for November 7.

Swimmers can compete in 500m, 1.25km, 2.5km or 5km races, with the series finishing in Mandurah in February.