Brendan Neil has toppled some challenges and now he’s preparing for his most arduous task yet, for a good cause.
The 50-year-old from Kings Beach is determined to swim about 63km, from Caloundra to Noosa, to raise money for Sunshine Coast special schools and to promote the annual Island Charity Swim, an important fundraiser for the schools.
He covered more than 20km at this year’s charity swim in May, but ‘Dare to Care – Swim the Sunshine Coast’ represents a much bolder test.
“It’s certainly a lot bigger than anything I’ve done before, so we’ll see how it goes,” Brendan said.
“It could all end in tears, but we’ll find out.
“I was originally looking at stretching it over three days but I’m feeling pretty excited and might try and knock it over in two days.”
He plans to leave Kings Beach at 7am on July 13 – his 51st birthday – and hopes to get to Mudjimba Island that afternoon, before heading to Noosa the next day.
“I’ve been training hard, especially over the last few months,” he said.
“I’ve done heaps of ocean swims, long ones, so I’m feeling really good.”
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Brendan was prompted to do something remarkable to help local special schools, after the pandemic impacted the past two editions of the annual charity swim.
“It’s been bubbling in the back of my mind to do some bigger things for them,” he said.
“COVID has really knocked around the schools’ fundraising efforts.
“In 2020, the event was cancelled and in 2021, due to the uncertainty of events, there were less than half the regular participants.
“So, I’m going to have a crack at doing this big swim to raise a little extra for the schools and ensure we as a community don’t forget about these awesome kids, their families and the school community.”
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He hoped his effort would lead to more interest in next year’s annual fundraiser.
“I thought it was a good time to do something big and start prepping for next year’s charity swim, to get more people involved and reinvigorate it.”
Brendan initially planned to set off on Friday, August 6, but COVID-19 restrictions forced him to postpone the event.
He will have a committed support crew, including friends on surf craft.
The wind will play a major factor in his attempt, as a northerly would make it extremely tough.
To help Brendan in his fundraiser go to: www.gofundme.com/f/dare-to-care-swim-the-sunshine-coast.
For more information on the Island Charity Swim, which includes an 11km trek around Mudjimba Island, see www.islandcharityswim.com.au/.
