Local super fish Brenda Norman has ticked off another major swimming challenge, completing the 20 Bridges swim in New York earlier this week.
Sharing the experience with followers of her Channel 4 Change charity page, Ms Norman said she would describe the feat as the “licorice allsorts” swim.
“Physiologically my body held up well. My preparation was far from ideal, having been unwell with both Influenza A and a chest infection only a month ago.
“I was forced to stop training so I could recover, but it was probably advantageous for the repetitive strain injury I have in my right wrist.
“I enjoyed the varied conditions, inspecting the architecture of the 20 bridges and seeing Manhattan Island from every angle.
“This was a very scenic 48.5 kilometre swim with rapidly changing conditions through three rivers - East River, Harlem River and Hudson River.
“The East River initially was very choppy but then the water calmed. My crew told me that there was a stretch where the current was so strong that I was tracking at 12km per hour.
“Where the East River met the Harlem River it created interesting cross currents. This stretch started with the current against me but then turned in my favour.
“Interestingly, 19 of the bridges off Manhattan Island are on the east side, leaving only the George Washington Bridge to service the west side.
“The Harlem River is where the swim got interesting.
“A thunderstorm rolled in, bringing heavy rain and lightning. Darkness descended but as it was still daytime I could only see a silhouette of New York.
“My support crew calculated the lightning was about three miles away - if they deemed it a risk to my safety they can cancel my swim at any moment and force me to exit the water.
“Towards the end of the swim the city lights came on and provided a different perspective. It also enabled me to see another swimmer in the distance and that motivated me to try to catch up to him.”
Ms Norman said while a feat in itself, the 20 Bridges swim was “really a training swim for me”.
Her next challenge is regarded as one of the world’s most challenging oceans swims - the North Channel.
“The North Channel swim starts near Donaghadee - on Northern Ireland's Ards Peninsula - and finishes on Scotland's Rhins of Galloway, a minimum distance of 34.5km.
“To date, only 108 people have completed this swim, compared to 2797 who have completed the English Channel.
“The challenges of the North Channel are the water temperature (12-15 degrees during summer), numerous jelly fish (including lion’s mane), strong tides, rapidly changing weather conditions, rocky shore lines and a limited time frame to complete the swim.
“My swim window is September 22-26 .”
Ms Norman launched her slew of successful swimming challenges in 2018 when she registered to complete the English Channel swim.
At the same time she founded Channel 4 Change - a youth mental health charity.
“All these swimming endeavours enable me to promote Channel 4 Change, which fundraises for the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group.
“All money raised is used to promote awareness of mental health particularly amongst young people.
“The most recent initiative we funded was having the Resilience Roadshow (Legless & Blind) speak to all Deniliquin students from Years 5-12 about the importance of mental health, resilience and overcoming adversity.
“If you would like to find out more about the work, and ways to support Channel 4 Change and the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group please visit our website channel4change.com.au.”
As with her other swims, Ms Norman said she could not have completed her latest challenge without her amazing support network.
“I would like to thank my entire support crew. Firstly, Sue and Richard Jones for overseeing all the logistics of my swim and Nathaniel (my kayaker) and CJ (my skipper) for the excellent job they did navigating my course.
“Jewlie Box (my observer) for diligently completing the official paperwork so my swim can be ratified, and also Butch (Robert Butcher) for his coaching and continued belief in my ability.”
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Resources and support information are also available at www.denimentalhealth.org.au.