Murray River Beckons van Wisse

Champion Australian marathon swimmer Tammy van Wisse will begin a record attempt swim of the Murray River in October. Originally planned for January this year, van Wisse was forced to postpone due to restrictive water flows and logistical constraints. 

Beginning 29 October from Corryong situated in the foothills of the Kosiusko Range, van Wisse aims to complete the 2,400 kilometre swim on Australia Day 2001 at Lake Alexandrina in South Australia.

The record attempt is on behalf of Berri Ltd, Australia’s largest fruit juice manufacturer and the Australian Conservation Foundation, to highlight the fragile state of Australia’s major river systems. The swim will be known as the Berri Healthy Rivers Swim.

 A Berri Spokesman said, “as Australia’s largest user of citrus fruits, the company is well aware of the importance water plays for fruit growers”.

“Many of our river systems face environmental issues from poor river flow, habitat destruction, erosion, high salinity and pollution from urban stormwater, sewage and agricultural runoff”.

“We believe it is important for corporate Australia to play a leading role in raising the awareness of these problems and to help find solutions”.

Crossing three states and swimming on average about 26 kilometres each day, van Wisse will stop at 29 cities and towns along the route to raise awareness about the challenges and issues confronting Australia’s river systems.

“I’ve swum in many oceans, rivers and lakes around the world, so I suppose you could consider me as a human water tester,” said van Wisse.

“There has been a lot written about the salinity levels in the Murray, water flow and algal bloom. I will be able to give a first-hand account of what the water is really like. I will also be talking to school groups along the way to reiterate to them how important healthy rivers are to us all.” 

“Ms van Wisse said she is also looking at the swim as a serious attempt to beat Graham Middleton’s 1991 Murray River swim record of 138 days.

She said her main threats during the race will be toxic algal blooms, snags and snakes, and that she will need to rely on her support crew, including swimming champion Dawn Fraser, to keep on the look out for such dangers. 

The public will be able to follow the progress of Ms van Wisse’s Murray River Swim, send messages of encouragement and ask her questions through contacting the The Berri Healthy Rivers Swim website , web address to be advised.

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