PROFILE
Chloë is one of Australia’s top female marathon swimmers. In 2010, she won the prestigious 46km Manhattan Island Marathon and completed a double crossing of the English Channel in 21hrs and 48min, the 2nd Australian to do so. In July 2011 Chloë attempted a triple crossing of the English Channel. Her first lap in 9 hours and 3 minutes is currently the fastest crossing for 2011. She was disqualified by her support crew at 17 hours and 35 minutes as they were concerned she may have had hypothermia.
Chloë plans to tackle several world-first challenging swims within the Asia-Pacific region and to break established international marathon swimming records in the next few years. You can follow her as she follows her dreams and her goals via her blog.
Chloë started swimming lessons at the age of 10 at Bullen Swim School in Melbourne. A late starter to swimming she quickly made up for lost time. Swimming squad provided Chloë the opportunity to learn many life long lessons. She loved learning the skills of each swimming stroke, the structure, discipline and hard work that squad sessions demanded, the opportunity for continual improvement, making friends, practicing her skills under pressure in competition and achieving her goals. Chloë swam competitively for approximately three years. The highlight of her early swimming career was winning two state medals in her 15 year old age group in the 100m and 200m butterfly event.
Chloë focused on her studies in year 11 and 12 (VCE). After school Chloë launched herself into uni studies and triathlon. She also ran a marathon (3:37:29). The open water swimming component of triathlon reminded Chloë of the smooth, weightlessness sensation of the water and provided new swimming experiences. Every open water swim featured different weather conditions, beautiful scenery and a new set of racing tactics to master. The black line of the swimming pool had disappeared and was replaced with sunshine, fresh air, salty water and aquatic wild life! After running the Melbourne Marathon in October 2006 Chloë realised she loved the challenge and reward of completing long distance sporting endeavours. Combining her love of swimming, new affinity with open water swimming and the sense of accomplishment from long distance sport she quickly found herself marathon swimming!
Winning her first marathon swimming event in early 2007 (www.bloodybigswim.com.au) kick started her new sporting career. Since then she has swum between two islands in Hawaii (USA), between Rottnest Island and Cottosloe Beach (WA), swum to raise money for charity (Mirable Foundation), to raise awareness for important causes (against dredging of Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne) and many more swimming adventures. She has also competed in 10km events at the Victorian State Championships and the 25km event at national level with a 4th ranking in the 2009 Australian Marathon Championships.
One key to Chloë’s success is maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. She has been a vegetarian since the age of 11 and is grateful for the healthy lifestyle and life-long friendships that sport has provided. Chloë has spoken to many groups about her ultra-marathon swims and the way her healthy and active lifestyle has assisted her to achieve her swimming goals.
Pets: Bazza and Sundae (the most beautiful Chihuahuas in the world! P.S. Their favourite movie is Beverley Hills Chihuahua).
Husband: Paul.
Family: Parents, 1 brother, 2 sisters, 2 nieces and a nephew!
Education: Bachelor Arts (Sociology major).
Swimming Locations: Middle Brighton Sea Baths, MGS Aquatics at Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) in Australia and Dover Harbour and various swimming pools in Kent whilst in the UK.
Swimming Highlights: Letters/emails from children before and after swimming marathon events. I have won and lost races but it doesn’t mean that much at the end of the day. If you can swim to change the world that you live in for the better then EVERYONE is a winner.
Biggest influence and coach: The person who has had the greatest influence on my swimming career to date has been Sarah Stothers (my first squad coach) – the first person to believe in my sporting potential!
Swimming Idol: Ali Streeter she has completed a 3-way (solo and continuous) crossing of the English Channel (WOW)! Most swimmers who complete the English Channel swim approximately 40-50km per crossing and the conditions can be very challenging.
Longest continuous swim and how many hours in the water: 100km covered, 24 hours and 50 min in her double English Channel crossing attempt in September 2009. I successfully swam the double crossing a year later in 21 hours and 48 minutes.
Favorite place you have swam: Maui Channel, Hawaii (15km swim). Sunlight cut through the crystal blue water and lit up the coral beneath like streams of gold from heaven. Also Waikiki Beach where I swam with tortoises and a pod of 5 dolphins during the Rough Water swim in 2007!!!
Coldest place you have swam and temp: 6C, Winter 2007 Brighton Baths, Melbourne.
Swimming goals: Becoming the 1st Australian and 4th person to swim a Triple Solo English Channel Crossing, Crossing the treacherous Bass Strait from Victoria to Tasmania, and many more…
What or who motivates you: I believe every person has the potential to achieve things which they often only imagine. I imagine myself swimming some of the hardest swims in the world and then actively pursue ways of making this a reality.
Swimming close calls: Nearly not having the opportunity to swim at all. My mother realised my embarrassment at being the only Grade 6 child in my primary school who didn’t know how to swim! Thankfully she enrolled me in lessons.
Favorite food / drink / music / movie and holiday destination: food = chocolate, drink = hot Milo, music = dance, house, trance & electro, movie = The Lion King, holiday destination = Anywhere with Paul that will let me take my dogs Bazza & Sundae.
Where is one place you haven’t or would like to swim: Bass Strait or anywhere with cool sea creatures to look at whilst swimming!
Toughest competitor: my ambition.
Next swimming challenge: To complete a solo triple crossing of the English Channel
Occupation: First Aid Trainer.
