Summary
Simone Blazer, a pioneering open water swimmer, recently completed an extraordinary swim along the upper Ord River in Australia, becoming the first person to achieve this feat. The swim, which spanned approximately 55 kilometers, began at 11 PM under a clear night sky. Blazer described the experience as breathtaking, surrounded by stunning landscapes and the thrill of adventure. Despite the risks associated with swimming in a remote area known for its crocodiles and rapids, she felt a strong sense of calm and excitement as she embarked on the challenge.
Blazer's motivation for the swim stemmed from her love for adventure and a desire to showcase the beauty of the upper Ord region. After spending time there with her swimming holiday business, Swim Wild Escape, she became inspired to undertake the swim herself. With the support of local experts and a dedicated team, she meticulously planned the swim for over a year. Blazer emphasized the importance of safety and preparation, especially given her lack of experience with night swimming, which added an extra layer of challenge to her journey.
In addition to her recent swim, Blazer is preparing for another ambitious challenge: a swim around St Helena Island in the Atlantic Ocean, which she aims to complete in March. This swim will not only test her endurance but also serve as a fundraiser for Lifeline, an organization focused on mental health support. Blazer aims to use her swimming achievements to raise awareness and funds for important causes, reflecting her belief in the power of community and shared experiences in overcoming challenges.
Show Notes
Recently on After Swim, we sat down with Simone Blaser, founder of Swim Wild Escape and the first person to swim the length of the Upper Ord River. What started as a love of adventure eventually led Simone to take on a 54 km swim through one of Western Australia's most remote and spectacular waterways. She started around 11pm, swam through the darkness, faced the heat, fatigue and plenty of moments of doubt, and eventually watched the sun rise over the river. But what makes Simone's story particularly interesting is that becoming the first person to complete the swim wasn't actually what motivated her. It was the challenge. The adventure. And the simple question: "Why not?" We talk about the moments when things got tough, how she broke the swim down into manageable pieces, the story behind Swim Wild Escape, and why she believes you don't have to be an elite athlete to challenge yourself and do something extraordinary. It's a great conversation about swimming, adventure, resilience and finding something you genuinely love.
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