Local swimming sensation and Channel4Change advocate Brenda Norman has yet another swimming record under her belt.
She took on the 60km leg from New Norfolk to Iron Pot of the Derwent River in Tasmania, swimming through the night and half the day to set a world first achievement and record.
She completed the swim in 15 hours and 19 minutes.
Through the Channel4Change initiative, Norman’s aim is to raise awareness of mental health among youth.
All funds raised are used to create awareness, resources and pathways to help.
This is done in partnership with the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group.
Norman - who conquered the English Channel in 2018 as her first major Channel4Change challenge - called this my “toughest swim to date”, partly because of the challenges she faced taking on Derwent swims last year.
“This was largely due a bad swim at the end of last year, which made me lose my confidence in my swimming ability, awareness of my limits and my body’s ability to thermoregulate,” she said.
“In September 2022, I attempted a 2km ‘ice swim’ in water that was 2.5 degrees. After being in this icy water for 43 mins and swimming 1.93km, I suffered hypothermia and needed to be rescued from the water.
“I was conscious but I have no recollection of the final 10 mins of my swim nor about 30 mins of my recovery. As a result, my confidence was shattered.
“I believe marathon swimming is more a test of psychological strength rather than physiological endurance. So for me, I started this swim with doubts about my body’s perception of thermoregulation and a lack of confidence in my swimming ability.
“The swim started at 10.20pm on January 26, on a dark night so navigation was challenging.
“I finished one feed and started swimming in the wrong direction. During the night I really struggled psychologically, which then transferred to physiological issues.
“I was very sensitive to pockets of cold water, my wrists started hurting and my hamstrings were cramping. Daylight lifted my spirits.”
Also spurring Norman on was the cheer squad on the Bowen Bridge.
The Tasman Bridge was around the corner and she found the rhythm she was searching for.
“During the second half of the swim I also asked my training partner, Richard Jones, to join me for two stints in the water.
“All these things helped to boost my belief that I could go the distance.
“The final stretch to the Iron Pot was very tough. The conditions changed and I had to contend with a 20 knot easterly wind.
“I experienced sea sickness and couldn’t stomach my sea sickness pills, feeds or even water.
“During the swim, I had been visualising reaching the Iron Pot lighthouse.
“My plan was always to hug the lighthouse and find a rock as a souvenir.
“Unfortunately, waves were crashing against the rocks, making it too unsafe to attempt to get out of the water. I had to settle for touching a rock to signify the end of my swim - this is allowed in marathon swimming when the conditions jeopardise safety,” she said.
Norman also thanked her coach Robert Butcher and her parents Bev and Ray Norman for their support during the swim.
It was the first time her mother crewed on her boat, and she even pulled an all-nighter to keep an eye on her daughter.
In addition to her swimming partner, Norman thanked Sue Jones who coordinated logistics on the support boat, as well as posting live updates of the swim.
Lastly she thanked the “many people who made the swim possible and thanked family and friends for all their loving support”.
Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group member Lourene Liebenberg said Norman continues to be an inspiration for so many.
She said her efforts have so far raised $41,000 for youth mental health initiatives provided through Deni MHAG since 2018.
“Brenda has once again demonstrated incredible resilience to take on this swim and has shared some of her own personal experiences, vulnerabilities and challenges she has faced,” Liebenberg said.
“This is great message for all of us, particularly our youth.
“Success is not always about achieving the goal you have set, but in fact taking on a challenge and just giving it your best at any given time.
“Deni MHAG, as the charity that benefits from Channel4Change, continues to work with Brenda to make sure our youth in Deni and surrounds are aware of pathways to help and numerous wellbeing initiatives to look after their mental health and wellbeing.”
Brenda’s next challenge is planned for September this year, when she will attempt the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland.
More information on Channel4Change, and a link to donate, can be found at www.denimentalhealth.org.au/channel4change.
• 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 is also available at www.denimentalhealth.org.au/5waystowellbeing.