Serena Wells.
Camera IconSerena Wells. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d483635

Swimmer channels inner determination to swim Swan River to work

Jessica WarrinerWestern Suburbs Weekly

WHILE most of us will be tucked up in bed early tomorrow morning, Serena Wells will brave winter’s swell and squalls to swim the Swan River to work.

Ms Wells is in training to swim the English Channel later this year, and tomorrow’s swim will help her acclimatise for cold water and dark skies.

“I was born in the Kimberley and always hated the cold, but it’s amazing how you can adapt to different climates,” she said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“For any marathon swimmer, the English Channel is one of those iconic swims.”

Ms Wells will be joined on tomorrow’s swim by a few other swimmers and paddlers, departing home in North Fremantle at 4.30am sharp to swim the shoreline around Minim Cove, Chidley Point, Mosman and Freshwater Bays to Claremont Jetty, Bishop Road and Point Resolution reserves, until finally ending up at the end of Iris Avenue in Dalkeith, where she works for the Minderoo Foundation and Group.

“I do a lot of swimming in the river, and I thought it would be cool to be able to say I swam to work,” Ms Wells said.

She expects the swim to take about three hours, and plans to land in Dalkeith 7.30am to 8am.

Ms Wells said she swam through school, largely short distance sprints, but took up swimming again five years ago to get fit after major surgery.

She planned to take on three big swims in the lead up to the English Channel, but had to take 10 weeks out of water after realising she had completed her Rottnest solo crossing with two fractured ribs after a kick to the chest from another swimmer.

Despite the setback, Ms Wells is excited to take to the water for her next long distance swim, and has her eyes firmly set on the prize of completing the English Channel.

“To adopt Turia Pitt’s saying; it’s better to give it a go and fail than regret trying,” she said.

Ms Wells is using her marathon swim to raise funds for three charities close to her heart – Lifeline WA, Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation centre and the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees.

To follow her progress and find out more, visit https://www.mycause.com.au/page/163290/serena-wells-2018-english-channel-swim.

MORE: House fire bombed near Mandurah

MORE: Doctor charged over sex assault on patient south of Perth

MORE: Rockingham rampage: man charged with 12 offences

MORE: Perth weather: you can stand under my umbrella