Starting about about noon yesterday Australian time (about 3am in Northern Ireland), she completed the , she set off on the gruelling 34.5km crossing between Ireland and Scotland while we slept overnight.
Brenda hit the water almost a week late due to the impact of Hurricane Emma.
Earlier in the week, via her Channel 4 Change Facebook page, Brenda explained that Hurricane Erin was passing through the region, leaving her swim window “looking not very favourable”.
Up until yesterday, conditions looked completely unswimmable.
Today was to be the last day of her agreed swim window.
On Tuesday, her boat crew had advised that a possible swim may be feasible on Thursday or Friday, depending on how the channel settled over the next 48 hours.
While waiting for her moment, Brenda had been training off the coast of Donaghadee in Northern Ireland.
She has been staying prepared and focused as she waits for the opportunity to take on one of the world’s toughest open-water swims.
This is Brenda’s third attempt at taking on the 34.5km stretch of frigid ocean between Ireland and Scotland.
Her first attempt in 2023 ended with brutal sea sickness due to bad weather and rough seas.
In her second attempt, also in 2023, she came heartbreakingly close, stopping just 4km from land due to hypothermia.
As well as being a personal challenge, Brenda is taking on the swim under the banner of her Channel 4 Change initiative, which supports Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group activities.
Supporters can follow her progress, donate and learn more at www.denimentalhealth.org.au/channel4change or on the Channel 4 Change Facebook page.
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