Andy Donaldson Sets Cook Strait Record In 4 Hours 33 Minutes
Jacqueline McClelland, who crewed with Jackson Kibbelwhite and Sarah Harrow and NZOWSA observer Jackson Arlidge, reported on the 23 km crossing from South Island to North Island in New Zealand. "Andy swam at a 1:10 per 100 meter pace in the 14-15°C water, escorted by Grant Orchard of Katabatic Charters."
Donaldson was humbled by the experience, writing on Facebook: "I'm truly lost for words with that one...to swim through the night with a sky full of stars, during a spring tide, with such a wonderful team by my side... that was a special experience that will sit with me forever.
We got across safely with perhaps one of my best ever executed swims, and as an incredible bonus, the swim was the fastest Cook Strait crossing ever, lowering one of marathon swimming's long-standing records, Casey Glover's 4 hour 37 minute record from 2008.
The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind since the swim, but I’ve had some time to process things, and I thought I’d have a go at sharing a few key takeaways that I gained along the way.
The main one for me being, what I feel I’ll remember and cherish most from my time here in New Zealand probably won’t be the crossing, the time, or the end result, but instead everything around it. The journey, and the incredible people who were a part of it and helped make this swim possible.
When I arrived in Wellington back in February without a support team, I felt pretty nervous about how things might go.
And with only a handful of suitable days for a swim attempt here each year, I knew there’d be a lot of uncertainty around whether I’d be able to get out there for a crossing.
As things turned out, we were in for an eventful few weeks. Cyclone Gabrielle smashed the country, a state of national emergency was declared, we experienced two earthquakes, and the interisland ferries were breaking down in the Cook Strait almost every other day. Exactly what you need for building the confidence.
Fortunately over these last few weeks, I’ve never once felt alone. I’ve been in touch with friends, family, and key support almost every single day, and following an introduction to local swim legend Gráinne Moss, I’ve met and gotten to know some of the most kind and welcoming people around - swimmers of the aptly named Wellington Washing Machines and Spud Buds.
For many mornings, I would join their swims out to the Point Jerningham Lighthouse and back followed by a post swim hot chocolate (with marshmallows). I must say, they were so much fun and a fantastic reminder of why I’m in this sport and doing what I’m doing because of the people and community.
I also had the privilege to get to know some fantastic swimmers who were attempting or had already done many marathon swims such as those in the Oceans Seven. It was fascinating to hear about their unique experiences in this sport, and I’m always in awe and inspired by people pursuing their dreams.
When it came to the Cook Strait and a swim opportunity finally presented itself, it was one that was a nerve-wracking and rather daunting prospect. The proposal was to attempt a swim through the night, during a spring tide.
A spring tide often sees more water passing through a channel and I’d heard many people say that it was physically impossible to swim across the Cook Strait during one. It just simply couldn’t be done.
To make matters worse, the water temperatures dropped to 15°C. I’m not a huge fan of the cold, and just days before the swim, I picked up a pretty bad injury to my lower back. Even now, I still need to hold my hip as I go to sit down.
As the swim drew closer, these things played on my mind, and I grew increasingly worried. I was checking the Windy App far too often, and I was starting to turn into a bit of a nervous wreck.
Fortunately, Wellington swimmers Jackson Arlidge and Sarah Harrow kindly flew over to join me in Picton [because] we were starting on the South Island and offered to be there to support on the boat.
Together with messages from some truly great people, they helped me stay calm during those final few hours, and channel my focus back to the things within our control.
All this time, they never seemed to lose faith in me, even when I lost faith in myself...for that I will always be grateful. Together with Jacqueline McClelland of Infinity Channel Swimming and Grant Orchard of Katabatic Charters, we devised a strategy as a team to navigate the tide and address the challenges of the dark.
We determined how we would communicate with each other, how we would feed, when we would press, how much fuel we would keep in the tank. And once we were out there, it was on. We had a solid game plan and we executed it almost perfectly. It was pretty amazing.
To my family Mum, Dad, Hannah, RG&J, my friends, and the team back in Perth including my coaches Eoin & Ryan, my mentors Jay & Shelley and many more, thank you for all your support in this journey so far.
And as always, a core reason why I’m doing these swims (the Oceans Seven) is to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
For me, swimming really helped me through my toughest times, and mental health is a cause that will always be close to my heart. If you’d like to learn more about what we are doing with the Oceans Seven, or should you wish to donate to the charity that I’m supporting (the Black Dog Institute), you can do so here.
3 down (North Channel, English Channel, Cook Strait), 4 to go.
By Steven Munatones.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and Editor of the KAATSU Magazine. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), Dale Petranech Award for Services to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (2022), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007 and 2010), and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984, awarded to the senior whose interests are not bounded by academic or institutional structures. A joyous, deeply-rooted affirmation of life, disdain for the purely conventional; a love of adventure, and desire to learn by experiencing; the ability to respond creatively to difficult situations). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee (until 2011) and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, a 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff including 4 FINA World Championships, and 2008 NBC Olympic 10K Marathon Swim commentator.
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