AD MOTM.
Our February Athletic Department (AD) Member of the Month (MOTM) has just completed one of the toughest swims in Australia, if not the world.
With water temperatures starting between 17.4°C and 18.6°C, a steady 10 km/h wind, and currents flowing in every direction, our AD MOTM Justin Hanby conquered the gruelling 34-kilometre Ultra Marathon Swim.
The Derwent River Big Swim challenges experienced swimmers to cover 34 kilometres of fresh and salt water. It begins in the calm Derwent Valley and concludes in the open estuary below the Tasman Bridge. Along the way, swimmers face shifting currents and fluctuating temperatures, overwhelmed with the immense pride of reaching Hobart by water.
Completing the 34-kilometre course in 7 hours, 21 minutes and 15 seconds, Justin powered through from start to finish with remarkable determination.
Swimming in tandem with friend Ned Wieland, the pair delivered a performance that places them among the top three tandem teams to have completed the course.
Reflecting on the experience, Justin said, “That was far tougher than expected. The shifting conditions and water temperatures made it a completely different swim to the one we had imagined. At one point, the only real comfort was lifting my head to watch the sun and feel a hint of warmth before putting my face back into the cold.
When the temperature hit the water at 14.9 degrees, all the negative thoughts surfaced, with a quiet voice suggesting it might be time to stop. I truly do not think I could have pushed through without Ned beside me. His steady presence and words, or no words, at the right moments made all the difference.
Thank you to the entire crew and to everyone who sent encouragement before we entered the water. Those messages carried more weight than you know.
And a very special thank you to everyone who donated to the Black Dog Institute. We almost doubled our original goal, which is incredibly humbling. Your generosity means so much.”
Congratulations, Justin, on an extraordinary achievement and a performance to be proud of.
