Brenda Norman has her sights set on completing the Australian Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, taking on the gruelling Catalina Channel Swim in October this year.
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The long distance swimmer’s new challenge will see her swim 32km between Santa Catalina Island and Los Angeles in California, USA.
With strong currents the swim is one of the toughest open water swims in the world, with only 504 successful crossings since 1927.
Norman has already booked in her swimming date, where she is set to take off on her journey at 11.30pm on Thursday, October 3.
Having already completed the 20km Rottnest Channel Swim in February and the 34km English Channel swim in August, Norman is two thirds of the way to achieving the Australian Triple Crown.
‘‘The Triple Crown isn’t an official award but it’s a great honour to have,’’ she said.
‘‘I’ll be guided by a boat called Bottom Scratcher.
‘‘The swim generally takes about 12 to 16 hours due to the extremely strong currents you can face.
‘‘My English Channel squad has disbanded and so now I am training without a coach.
‘‘Richard Jones, who was part of that squad, will also be attempting the Catalina Channel Swim around the same time.
‘‘We’ve been keeping each other accountable to ensure our training is on track.’’
The announcement comes just five months after the Channel 4 Change charity founder became the first Edward River region resident to successfully swim across the English Channel.
Norman’s English Channel swim was a remarkable feat, made more incredible because Deniliquin is a four-hour trip to the nearest open water training venue of Port Phillip Bay.
She also overcame a rib injury and chest infection she suffered just one month prior to her swim, as well as a 2.4mm diameter chemical burn directly over her left pupil just days before her crossing.
During her crossing attempt, at about the the four hour mark, Norman was struggling psychologically and questioning whether she could complete the swim.
Despite all of these setbacks Norman kept on pushing through, completing the 34km swim in 11 hours and 53 minutes.
Her efforts in 2018 with her channel swims will see the physical education teacher receive the Senior Sports Award at the Edward River Council Australia Day Award ceremony on Saturday, January 26.
‘‘It’s very unexpected... it’s overwhelming to simply be nominated for the award,’’ she said.
‘‘My quest had never been about personal accolades and I am truly humbled to receive this award.
‘‘The biggest reward for me has been seeing people’s support for the cause of Channel 4 Change.
‘‘It was never really about the swimming, the main focus was the implementation of programs and raising awareness for youth mental health.’’
The amazing efforts of Norman’s fundraising has also been recognised by the NSW Government, earning a nomination for the NSW Women’s Week Regional Woman of the Year award.
Other finalists for the award include Dr Louise Baker from Cowra, Birth Beat founder Edwina Sharrock and CEO of Heartfelt House Kate Loubet.
‘‘To read the profiles of the other nominees, I just can’t believe I’m up for the award alongside them,’’ Norman said.
‘‘They’re all an incredible group of women so to even be compared to them is unbelievable.
‘‘Channel 4 Change wouldn’t be as successful as it’s been without the support of the local community, so I have to thank everyone for all they’ve done.’’
Norman’s next challenge in the water will see her take on The Rip Swim at Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne.
The event will see Norman swim across the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, over a 3.2km stretch of water.
The course, that will see participants swim from Point Nepean to Point Lonsdale, has gained a reputation as one of the most unpredictable and treacherous waterways in the world, with tides that can run up to 15km/h.
The Rip is a team event with Norman forming a Channel 4 Change team — including fellow Deniliquin High School teacher Josh Perizzolo and friends made from her open water swimming training squad from last year - Richard Jones, Charlie Evans and Jackie Ellul.
The Channel 4 Change team is still looking for a final team member.
‘‘We purposely left a slot open as we want to find a young person with a shared passion for mental health to join us,’’ Norman said.
‘‘We all felt that it was important to have someone with that connection to mental health to help promote what Channel 4 Change is all about.
‘‘They will also need to be a strong swimmer capable of swimming 3kms in under 55 minutes.
‘‘The team that I’ve put together also have close connections to youth mental health, with all of us working in industries that work closely with children and teenagers.
‘‘We’ve also had great support from The Rip coordinators, who are helping us find a sixth member.’’
If you’re a young person who has a passion for mental health and are up for the challenge, contact the Channel 4 Change Facebook page for more details.
To vote for Brenda in the NSW Women’s Week Regional Woman of the Year award visit https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/nsw-womens-week/women—of—the—year—awards/vote-now-for-the-2019-women-of-the-year-awards/rex-airlines-regional-woman-of-the-year