WANNABE politicians will do almost anything to secure a vote—now you can add braving sharks and possibly drowning to the list.

Greens Fremantle candidate Andrew Sullivan is tired of hitting the pavement, so he is going to swim out to Rottnest and knock on a few doors there, “if I get past the pub”.

The long-serving Fremantle councillor claims his team of four—tagged the MetroCount Green Team—will make the first-ever zero carbon Rotto crossing today, Saturday February 23, 2013.

The team will use wind and solar power to help them get to the island.

“We’re the excessive carbs, zero carbon team,” he quipped.

“Just employing the ancient art of sail on the yacht will be tricky enough given the amount of tacking required. The trusty plywood dinghy will be powered by solar panels and small electric motors with plastic props.

“Most swimmers hope for an overcast and windless day—not us.

Cr Sullivan says his campaign team is a little grumpy that he’s “taking the day off” to jump into the big blue, but he says a day amongst the quokkas will help.

“I’ve been swimming 1-3km at South Beach every morning during the election campaign and cross-training on the bike. It’s the classic work hard, play hard routine. If I get past the pub, I might do some door-knocking at Rottnest to keep the team happy.”

by BRENDAN FOSTER