OBJECTIVE

To swim across Australia in a purpose built swimming pool securely mounted on a low loader, pulled by a truck, departing from Geraldton and arriving in Sydney, raising much needed funds for the Royal Life Saving Association’s (RLSA) “Keep Watch” project and charities in the Greater Geraldton area.

THE CHARITIES

RLSA will receive the majority of funds, The “Keep Watch” project aims to reduce the high incidence of toddler drownings in Australia.

THE POOL

The pool has been specifically engineered to provide for the safe movement of swimmers across Australia. AVP Constructions is responsible for the design & construction of the pool. The capacity to have a world class company involved in the project will ensure design and construction of world class quality and standards in engineering.

Similarly, Chasdon Engineering will provide a filtration and heating system for the pool that will ensure quality in design and function. The filtration system and generator required to power the filtration system will have a combined weight not in excess of 250kg. Both the filtration system and generator will be properly affixed to the low loader.

Swimmers will be ‘tethered’ to the pool by way of a harness (similar to a mountaineering harness, with caribiner and ropes anchored at 3 separate points in the pool. The swimmer will therefore be swimming against the ‘pull’ of the mountaineering rope without being subject to dislodgment from the pool at any time.

The design of the pool can best be described as a pool within a pool, which will allow for the spillage of any water being retained by the outer pool, the water then being recirculated back into the inner pool.

THE TRUCK / LOW LOADER

Hino International are supplying their soon to be released truck. Negotiations are ongoing for the low loader. The pool will be securely mounted onto the low loader according to stringent engineering specifications. The pool design takes into account the mountings to enable the safe securing of the pool onto the low loader. Sail shades above the pool will ensure that the project also adopts a ‘sun smart’ approach.

Supervision of the swimmer will be by way of direct observation. A secure area will be mounted that will allow for a lifeguard to observe the swimmer at all times. The lifeguard will have a communication system to ensure that the truck be pulled over should any difficulty arise for the swimmer. The lifeguard will be seated with a seat belt at all times.

Furthering the message of pool safety, a secure pool fence will be erected around the pool.

The truck will not travel in excess of 80kms, or at such other speed as is determined by the relevant authorities.

The truck will travel during daylight hours.

THE ROUTE

The proposed route incorporates 45 towns and cities in the States of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Approval from each state and territory will be required prior to departure. The route itself will be subject to advice from the relevant authorities, especially in terms of gradients. Engineering advice regarding gradients may require that at times, swimmers may not be able to remain in the pool.

THE SWIMMERS

A team of 15+ dedicated swimmers will provide the backbone of the Swim Across Australia. This will be augmented with local identities, Olympians and other high profile sports persons and community leaders as we traverse the nation.

Swimmers will typically remain in the pool for one half of an hour at any time. The actual time will also be dependent on the capacity to change swimmers over given location of the truck on route.

THE SUPPORT CREW

A team of 15+ persons will provide ongoing logistical and other support to the swimmers. A medical practitioner will accompany the Swim. All other members will be trained in resuscitation techniques in the event of an emergency.

A pilot vehicle forward and aft will accompany the truck. It is likely that a vehicle will also travel 1-2 days ahead of the truck to ensure that logistical requirements are well prepared for in advance.

SUMMARY

The Swim Across Australia project is a Geraldton City Council initiative that has already attracted substantial community and corporate support. The design of the pool is world class and safety aspects have taken the highest priority. It is fair to say that the reputations of renowned companies and the City of Geraldton itself, has gone along way to ensuring that the venture will be as safe as is humanly possible. A Risk Management Strategy has been developed for the project.

The project will draw much needed to attention to the tragic loss of young lives and the devastating effect young deaths have on families and communities. Importantly funds will be raised to combat these deaths.