Last Friday’s last-minute cancellation of the weekend’s scheduled Port to Pub swim from Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island has angered paid-up competitors, who are already fuming after being unable to race in the popular event due to WA’s COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the scheduled swimmers, Simone Tagg, told Liam Bartlett’s 6PR Mornings program competitors received an email to say they would get only 25 per cent of their $1180 entry fee back.

“I just don’t understand how they would have spent … all our money on merchandise. It’s a lot of money,” she said.

Consumer Protection WA executive director Trish Blake said the legalities of refunds were affecting more than 1,000 people and it would reach out to the organisers.

“Our view is … you can’t have a blanket ‘no refunds’ policy. There are certain circumstances under the law where refunds would have to be given,” she said.

“To keep registrations open when they reasonably knew they might not be running the event… not too happy about that either.”

The Port to Pub event cancellation was confirmed on Monday after a rumour to the John Hughes Rumour File on 6PR Breakfast earlier that day.

Press PLAY below to hear from Simone and Trish about the refund issue.