In March of 2024, Dean Summers set out to break the record for Australia’s longest ever unassisted swim. Leaving from Newcastle’s Nobbys beach and planning to land at Palm Beach, Sydney for a total of 95.6km. Battling blue bottle jellyfish, hallucinations and less than perfect conditions, Dean had a challenge ahead of him. The swim had been unsuccessfully attempted by two other swimmers in the 1980’s and 90’s, including well known Australian swimmer Des Renford whose shark cage sunk off the coast after treacherous conditions. In this episode, you’ll hear the story of an expedition into waters that have never been swam in.
00:00 Introduction
03:52 The Origin of the Newcastle to Sydney Swim
08:44 Building the Dream Team: Finding the Right Support
11:59 The Commitment and Preparation for a Long Swim
14:08 Navigating 07Whirlpools and Tides
16:45 Feeding Strategy : Carbohydrates and Protein
20:11 The Constant Sting: Battling Bluebottles in the Ocean
23:15 Bioluminescence and the Milky Way
29:44 The Final Stretch: Locking in on the Goal and Reaching the Beach
34:35 Post-Swim Reflections: Burnt and Hungry
38:44 Lessons Learned from a Grueling Swim
44:15 The Connection Between Family and the Love of Water
50:30 What’s next?
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