Speaking of National Women’s Month: Tomorrow, ISHOF friend and supporter, Marcia Cleveland begins her swim of the Cook Strait in New Zealand

UPDATE: Marcia swam the Cook Strait in 11 hours 54 minutes and 1 second

ISHOF friend, long-time supporter, and open water swimmer, Marcia Cleveland, of Wilmette, Illinois, is attempting to swim the famed Cook Strait, down under in New Zealand. Read her story here:

Greetings from Wellington, New Zealand!

Mother Nature and God-willing, tomorrow I will begin my swim of the Cook Strait around 7am NZ time – starting from the North Island.

The time difference between Chicago/Mexico City and Wellington, New Zealand is -6 hours but it’s tomorrow. If it’s Noon on Monday in Chicago, it’s 6am on Tuesday in NZ.

Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, connecting the Tasman Sea with the South Pacific Ocean.

My tracking link is https://maps.findmespot.com/s/0SFW/WK

When the swim has begun, you will (hopefully) be able to see our progress.

Please feel free to share this information with others.

Despite a boatload of unknowns, these are the questions I can answer:

* The length of this swim is approximately 18 miles (29 km.)

* The water temperature ranges between the high 50°Fs to low 60°Fs (15°-18°C.)

* On the day of the swim, Mother Nature will decide which direction I will swim: North to South or South to North.

* The major factors are strong currents, strong winds, and unpredictable weather.

* My crew, Julia Green & Lee Harkleroad, will accompany me in an escort boat.

* During the swim, I will be thrown bottles of nutritional drinks from the boat approximately every 45 minutes. Each ~8 ounce (~250 cc) drink will be consumed in less than a minute, then I’m back at it.

* According to Channel Rules, I will wear a regular Speedo swimsuit, a bathing cap, goggles, and sunscreen. I will also wear Desitin at my chaffing points (neck and suit lines) and Sunscreen. I can be handed things, such as a feeding bottle but I can’t touch anything or anyone since that would be considered receiving “assistance.”

* To prepare for this crossing, I have swum 35,000 yards (32K) a week since October; plus a program of calisthenics, stretching, and weight lifting. 

* It took me 4 ½ years to get this opportunity.

If you want to know more about this swim and/or my swims, please visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Strait

https://longswims.com/events/cook-strait/                https://longswims.com/p/marcia-cleveland/

Let’s all wish Marcia GOOD LUCK and CHEER HER ON!