Penny Palfrey Part 2
Penny Palfrey Part 2
Courtesy of WOWSA, Kaieiewaho Channel, Hawaii.Seven years ago this month, Australian Penny Palfrey attempted a solo 115.8 km crossing of the Kaieiewaho Channel between the islands of Kauai and Oahu.
It was her second attempt, starting from Ka’ena Point on Oahu with plans to finish on Kauai’s Nawiliwili harbor.
On her first attempt, she was supported by Jeff Kozlovich, Forrest Nelson, Bill Goding, and Neil Vaughan.
Both times, her crew protected her with a Shark Shield, but sharks were not her biggest obstacle to success.
Instead, she was stopped by marine life much smaller that she could not see or avoid, both the first and second attempts.
As the sun was setting, box jellyfish rose to the surface from the Pacific Ocean depths and stung her mercilessly. The venomous stings immediately put a halt to her swim and later caused convulsions, pain and deep red welts all over her body.
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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 KAATSU Research Institute. 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), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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