a targeted Training swim

The swim had been identified by my coach, Vlad Mravec, as an important milestone in my preparation for the English Channel. It would give me another long, uninterrupted ocean swim, test my feeding and pacing plans, and provide a valuable opportunity to work through the inevitable physical and mental challenges that come with spending more than nine hours in the water.

The course follows Sydney’s Northern Beaches coastline from Palm Beach to Shelly Beach at Manly. While we were fortunate to have relatively good weather, it is still a challenging stretch of water. The currents, swell and waves can all influence the swim, particularly around Long Reef, where choosing the right line becomes especially important.

A good pilot is critical. Even in favourable conditions, a poor line can add considerable distance and time to the swim. We were fortunate to have an experienced pilot who read the conditions well and kept us on an efficient course throughout the day.

There were several “marine animal sightings” reported by other swimmers during the event, although Monica and I had a relatively uneventful day in that respect. We had made the decision beforehand to include a jet ski as part of our support team, in addition to the main boat. It provided another set of eyes on the water, greater flexibility around the swimmers and some additional reassurance as we made our way down the coast.

Three generations at the finish

For me, however, the most memorable part of the swim was having my dad, Terry, crew for the first time on one of my major swims, with my son Oscar also on the boat.

Dad had grown up with marathon swimming through the achievements of his father, Des, but this was the first time he had been directly involved in one of my swims. Having both Dad and Oscar alongside me gave the day a family significance that went well beyond the course or finishing time.

As we approached Shelly Beach, Dad jumped into the water and swam the final 200 metres with me. After more than nine hours in the water, finishing with my father beside me and my son supporting us from the boat was a special moment. It brought three generations of our family together at the end of a swim that represented an important step towards the Channel.

Palm to Shelly ultimately gave Vlad and me exactly what we needed. It demonstrated that my preparation was progressing, confirmed that my pacing and feeding plan could hold together over a long ocean swim, and gave me confidence that I was ready to move into the final stages of preparation for the English Channel.

It was also the first leg of my Australian Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming. After completing the Derwent River Big Swim the following year, Port to Pub in Perth is now the final swim remaining.