Scot sets new record with swim in crocodile-infested waters

A Scottish marathon swimmer has set a new record through crocodile-infested waters.

Andy Donaldson, originally from Irvine in Ayrshire, completed the 55km Dam to Dam Challenge along the Ord River in East Kimberley, Australia, in 11 hours, 51 minutes on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old ultra-marathon world-record holder, the first male to achieve the feat, completed his longest swim to date in waters inhabited by 5,500 crocodiles.

Andy Donaldson swam 55 kilometres along the Ord River. Ben Broady

Donaldson started the challenge at 5.38am local time and reached the finish line at 5.29pm.

Enduring the searing Australian sun, with temperatures reaching above 34C, he relied on the support of an experienced team, including elite swim coach Brenton Ford, his partner and nutritionist Eliza Kelly, the Tasmanian Swim Club head coach Sam Ashby, and Outback Tom – a local content creator.

The swimmer, who was welcomed into the water by a fully grown 2.5-metre freshwater crocodile at the start ramp, said he was elated, exhausted, and very grateful after completing the record-breaking swim.

A fully-grown 2.5-metre freshwater crocodile was waiting at the start ramp Ben Broady

He said: “I’m over the moon. It was an incredible experience and almost surreal, swimming through truly magical lands, the red rocks, the gorges, I reckon, better than swimming in the Grand Canyon.

“I’ve been fortunate to swim all over the world, and what we have here is truly spectacular. This is the best swim I’ve ever done, without a doubt.

“It was tough, 55 kilometres, and it was hot, and we had to navigate through rapids which was pretty cool.

“I had such an amazing, knowledgeable team on the water with me and when times got tough, they helped me get through it.

Donaldson’s well-being and hourly nutrition intake were monitored by his coach Jay Prchal Ben Broady

“I’m feeling really proud, one hundred percent, and really proud of the whole team.”

The Scottish-Australian swam through Carlton Gorge, the upper Ord River, past Jump Rock and Echo Point, through the spillway, and past Elephant Rock, before reaching Swim Beach, six kilometres from Kununurra.

Donaldson said despite the dangers of being surrounded by thousands of crocodiles, he never felt threatened, saying: “The team had eyes on me the entire time and the only crocs I saw were on the feet of my coach.”

Around 200 people waited for Donaldson to cheer him as he celebrated the landmark moment by finishing his longest ever solo swim.

Against the dramatic backdrop of the East Kimberley’s ancient gorges and red cliffs, Donaldson said it was the most visually stunning swim of his career. Ben Broady

He added: “This swim was always more than breaking records, it’s about inspiring others and shining a spotlight on this beautiful place.

“Seeing the excited kids at the finish line cheering me on is what it’s all about. It was fantastic to see so many locals, hundreds of people at the finish line. I’m truly grateful, thank you.”

President of the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club, Ben Broady invited Donaldson to Kununurra to inspire the next generation of swimmers ahead of the opening the new 50-metre pool.

Andy Donaldson and his partner and nutritionist Eliza Kelly Ben Broady

The swim had the added challenge of navigating a river inhabited by 5,500 freshwater crocodiles. Ben Broady

He said: “The vibes were so high all day between Andy and the support crew, it’s totally inspiring, and I feel honoured to have swum alongside such a champion for a short time.

“In the lead up to the swim, we’ve been to local schools and held swim clinics in Wyndham and Kununurra. The students loved it, and we’ve definitely inspired many of them to take up swimming.”

In 2023, Donaldson made history by completing the Ocean’s Seven in a single year, the world’s toughest channel swims, as well as the fastest ever swim around Manhattan Island.

Female swimmer Simone Blaser holds the record of the first person and the fastest female to complete the swim with a time of 16 hours, 13 minutes.