Quinn Boyle - Three ultra swims in four months

He has been dubbed the Mighty Quinn, a title that falls well on these young shoulders. At only 15 years of age, Quinn has amassed 88 kms from three official ultra swims. That doesn't include the two 10 km charity swims, and of course the training.

Quinn and coach, Sheryl McLay (Cook Strait & English Channel)

Ultra Swims
Lake Rotoiti double crossing 
23 December 2020 
Time: 8hrs 15mins
Age: 15 years
Observer: Sheryl McLay

Lake Taupō
27 January 2021 
Time: 13hrs 46min
Age 15
Observer: Sheryl McLay / Philip Rush

Waiheke to Auckland 
25 March 2021 
Time: 5hrs 35mins
Age: 15 years
Observer: Roger Soulsby 

Please tell us something unique about your achievement. Tell your story
My ultra-marathon swim journey began on the shores of Lake Taupō on 29 February 2020 when I was attending the Across the Lake Swim (4km) with my mother Fleur. There was a buzz at the event because someone was swimming the full length of the lake that day, 40.2km. My mother said to me that I should do that too. I didn't know who the swimmer was then. I agreed with mum and less than a year later I swam Taupō on 27 January 2021. 

I later found out the swimmer was Jono Ridler, I guess I owe Jono some return motivation too. When I set out to chase my dream the other swimmer who I knew about was Caitlin O'Reilly. She's of the same age and younger when she swam Cook Strait. I looked up to her and her achievements as I prepared for Taupo. 

In preparation for Taupō I did a double crossing swim of Lake Rotoiti a few weeks before the big swim. That was a hard swim, 28 km but we did it. 

The Taupō swim I started at 4 am. I knew it was going to be a long day but I was focused.and took it one stroke at a time. I had great support from Sheryl, Phil and my dad. After 13hrs, I scrambled ashore in Taupo. I was elated and overwhelmed with the feeling of success. This is the best thing I have done in my life. 

How did your life change following your achievement(s)?
After Taupō I went on to swim the Westpac Chopper Charity swim from Waiheke to Auckland. That was my first salt-water ultra swim. It was also the third charity swim I did. The first one was a 10 km swim from Motiti Island in the Bay of Plenty to the mainland. That was to raise funds for the Australian Bush fires in Feb 2020. The second charity swim I did was from Whale Island in Whakatane, another 10 km which raised funds for the White Island burn victims. From the three swims, we managed to raise over $2,000 for three charities. Helping people and giving to the community is a big part of my motivation and what drives me. 

The Taupō swim was just before the start of the school year. There was an article in Stuff.co.nz about my swim. When I started back at school at Hamilton Boys High there was a lot of interest in my achievement. There were also a lot of questions about whether it was a race and did I win. 

Quinn at Lake Rotoiti

How did your life change following your achievement(s)?
After Taupō I went on to swim the Westpac Chopper Charity swim from Waiheke to Auckland. That was my first salt-water ultra swim. It was also the third charity swim I did. The first one was a 10 km swim from Motiti Island in the Bay of Plenty to the mainland. That was to raise funds for the Australian Bush fires in Feb 2020. The second charity swim I did was from Whale Island in Whakatane, another 10 km which raised funds for the White Island burn victims. From the three swims, we managed to raise over $2,000 for three charities. Helping people and giving to the community is a big part of my motivation and what drives me. 

The Taupō swim was just before the start of the school year. There was an article in Stuff.co.nz about my swim. When I started back at school at Hamilton Boys High there was a lot of interest in my achievement. There were also a lot of questions about whether it was a race and did I win.

Food stop 

Other comment
I'm grateful to my family, my parents Mark and mum for the encouragement to pursue my dream. 

Sheryl McLay, my open water swim coach is another I am indebted to for mentoring me and coaching me. I live in Hamilton but every weekend I travel to the Mount to swim with Sheryl and her group. 

I am keen to swim Cook Strait next, and then Foveaux Strait at some point. The NZ Triple Crown interests me. I would also like to swim overseas. ​​



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