Claire Hobson - Now for the next ultra-swim

Claire is very new to long distance swimming. She's a great swimmer, and just needed encouragement to swim further. She got that from her family and friends, those who believed in her ability to do well in long swims. 

Claire at the end of her 20 km Waiheke to Auckland swim

Ultra Marathon Swim 
Chopper Swim - Waiheke to Auckland
Swim date: 25 March 2021
Distance: 20 km
Time: 7 hrs 12 mins
Age: 34
Observer: Dermot Smith

Please tell us something unique about your achievement. Tell your story
At a very young age my parents enrolled me in 10 swimming lessons at the Greenhithe Swim School. I never got in. Not even a toe. Didn't get my hair wet. As time passed I eventually plucked up the courage to get in the pool. After completing lessons at the Greenhithe pool, then Freyburg and later on Waitakere City Swim Club, I entered my first swim meet at the age of 13. Fast forward several years and I joined the Waitakere City Masters Swim club where I competed at several Pan Pacific Masters Games, the Australian Masters Champs, Samoa Swim Series, World Masters Swim Champs, Alcatraz Crossing and many NZ swim events in the pool and open water. Such wonderful experiences. 

Having been encouraged by several swimming friends, I decided to give marathon swimming a crack. My first 10km swim was in Lake Taupo at the EPIC event in 2015. I threw up for most of the last 3km. But made it. A few long swims later including the Starship Fundraising swim in 2020 I entered the Chopper Swim as a solo swimmer, 20km straight up. Throughout the swim, I felt relaxed, calm and my stroke was strong and smooth. Put together, all swimmers raised over $46,000. 

I would like to extend a huge thanks to my family and friends who constantly support and motivate me to aim higher. 

So the seed was planted. Can I swim more than 20km? All I have to tell myself is....just keep swimming. 

How did your life change following your achievement(s)?
The Waiheke Chopper Swim has put a fire in my belly to now achieve much bigger swims. I have a passion for swimming challenges and I am curious to see how far I can physically and mentally push my body. 

I have had much encouragement from family and friends urging me into longer swims. This is such a confidence boost and I appreciate all the support and advice that I receive. 

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Claire's support team

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