Raewyn Winsley - Guided by a thought planted 40 years ago

Fantastic view of Raewyn from the IRB 

Please list your Ultra-Marathon swim
Cook Strait
Swim date: 23 March 2021
Time: 10h18m
Distance: 26.4 km
Age: 51 years
Neutral Observer: Philip Rush

Please tell us something unique about your achievement. Tell your story
The thought of this swim has been implanted in my brain since about age 11yrs. While swimming with the squad in Dunedin, I mentioned to Duncan Laing that I had sore arms. His reply was "see that boy over there (pointing at Philip Rush in the big boys lane) he's training to swim Cook Strait and his arms are sore every day". Those words from the wise Duncan Laing, have always stayed with me and also the image of this wee short guy, swimming up and down the pool. From then on whenever I crossed the Cook Strait, whether it be by ferry or by Air it has always been a thought to swim across it. But was only just that "a thought".

I think the older you get, those thoughts become goals and as time ticks on you begin thinking, why not give it a go otherwise you'll always be thinking about it.  

And then it was only because of a friend I was staying with in Wellington, organised a coffee and a chat with Phil that I thought "yes, I can do it". And so the journey began...

Raewyn Winsley

How has your life change following your achievement?
I definitely feel at peace with myself. It's "my Everest of Swims" ticked off. Amazing how you push yourself through the hard bits. Not sure what's next but I guess I've learnt, never say never.


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