Whitsunday First By Christie Leet And Chris Palfrey
44-year-old Christie Leet and Chris Palfrey became the first people to successfully swim between one of the Whitsunday group of islands, off the coast of Queensland, and the Australian mainland. “Leaving from Roma point, the southern tip of South Molle, we swam in a north west direction up the. Molle Channel and then around pioneer point, and heading into the popular tourist destination of Airlie. We had a 15-20 knot southeast breeze behind us for the first 10K and covered this in almost exactly 2 hours. FUN. But upon changing direction, we had a headwind and associated chop to punch into,” explained Palfrey.
The distance was 15.2K in a time of 3 hours 58 minutes 44 seconds.
“This swim went so well, we are now hoping to do another swim on the weekend of November 4-5, from Hamilton island to Shute harbour, a distance of 19K.” And they both know there are plenty of other islands to become the first to accomplish.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
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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