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Swim around Lord Howe Island

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Lauren Tischendorf

Lauren Tischendorf 27 April 2021

Photos: Bradley Farley and Heidi Morris

What inspired you to do this swim?

I had been swimming for the past three years consistently, clocking 135km per month, which is not hard when you love the water. Covid hit and we all took our swimming to the ocean only. Two gal pals and I swam daily, not just for the exercise, but to keep tabs on each other, it was sublime relief to the world around us (& not seeing our families). As the restrictions started easing mid 2020, a group of us ocean swimmers planned a long swim. An easy 6km distance and nothing hard. Perfect conditions. As we started, a gentleman, who is lovely, made an off hand remark that I could not swim with my gal pals, I needed to swim with another group (a group who were much slower than us). Whilst I respected his call and I was curious as to why, especially as we had always swum together, we were super tight, there was space, it could have only been that I didn’t look in stature or experience.  Something in me switched. I wanted to do something for myself, not to prove a point, more to keep myself in check, my worthiness of being able to keep up, being accountable. No girls, or women, should be told they are not worthy or strong enough (yes, we have to be humble and heed advice and train), but if we know our own capabilities and boundaries, no person should put us down.

Lauren Tischendorf

Please describe how you planned for the swim.

In August 2021 I looked at the weather, tides, current, water temperatures around the island and picked a window for myself from April 10th to 18th (flat water and cool to warm water). I initially met with my coach, Vlad Mrvac to set out a training plan, with peaks of 6 hour training swims.

My training consisted of 4 weekly pool sessions of a minimum of 5km per session and 4 ocean swims with long swims ranging between 3 to 6 hours. I had a 6 hour swim in an 8 foot swell and didn’t eat or drink for 3 hours in Bondi, so I felt prepared and strong. I thrive and love big swells, so felt confident that no matter the conditions, I would be safe.

Due to the nature of the island population setting, I could only find beds 5 days before arriving on the island as well as flights for myself and 4 crew. As such, it made it for a quick turnaround.

How did the swim go, generally? Did you face any unanticipated challenges?

The swim was a great challenge and overall I felt a well-earnt title to be the first woman (with ratification, the first recorded in history). The conditions, which I already knew about, were large swell and chop, for most of the swim. I absolutely loved it!

I had expected there to be sharks and knew of the dangers of the sharks in the area (I had previously swum with Grey Nurse, Port Jackson and Black Tip sharks). Whilst I maintained calm and was collected, I was very much aware of their presence. Only at one point, when a tiger shark came within a hand’s length on the chest when stopping for a gel, did I put the feeding lid down my cozzie and move forwards with my swim. Only after Blinky’s beach, sort of around Gower (I think) did I get into really tough current with the winds channeling through the head lands.

The initial entry into the water to North Point and the sections prior to Blinky’s beach I felt I had a rhythm and was ‘flying’ too at the end. Due to the changing waters and currents I was continuously changing my position and stroke approach, which kept me busy and focused. The sections around Gower Island made for an almost 2 hours of swimming in the same spot, add in some sharks and it was a long day on the water.

It was amazing, that as I headed into the boat ramp, cars were hooting and people clapping and shouting.  The piece of stone I had picked up at the start was still well secured in my swimming costume. The island community was so very congratulatory and supportive, I am truly grateful.

Lauren Tishchendorf

I need to acknowledge my entire team. Each of them was incredible and at no point did they not believe in my ability to complete it nor that I would get out.

It was a brilliant swim, huge swell and incredible scenery.

Thank you

Lauren Tischendorf
Lauren Tischendorf

I would like to thank Jim McFayden from the Marine Rescue and Island Board, as well as Mick Dietrich from the Police Station for the phenomenal support on the day and expert guide around the island. I would like to thank Sarah Jordan from the Tourism Office for her continued support in the planning and execution, my go-to person on the island. I would like to thank Yolante the local doctor for her medical care on the shore, as well as the island community for their incredible support and cheer as I arrived back at the boat ramp, especially the children who stayed up past their bedtimes to be there – it meant the world to me. Thank you to Milky Way and the Anchorage for their hospitality and help with myself and the crew, especially in an incredibly busy time. Most of all, thank you to the Lord Howe Community for their support, generosity and care in hosting myself and crew to complete this challenge.

Yes, there’s another challenge in sight and I cannot wait.

The Lord Howe Island Signal 30 April 2021

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 30 April 2021.

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