Andy Donaldson set a world record by swimming over 34 miles through a crocodile-infested river in Australia, completing the feat in under 12 hours. He did not encounter any crocodiles during the swim despite the river's population of 5,500 reptiles.
Key points
Andy Donaldson swam over 34 miles in a crocodile-infested river
He completed the swim in under 12 hours
Donaldson broke the previous record by over four hours
The river is home to 5,500 crocodiles
He faced challenges with heat and dehydration
Mentioned in this story
Andy DonaldsonOrd River
Andy DonaldsonCredit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
Andy Donaldson
Credit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
A marathon swimmer has broken a world record by swimming more than 34 miles through crocodile-infested rivers
Andy Donaldson, 35, completed the route along the Ord River in remote Australia in just under 12 hours, beating the previous record by over four hours
He said he didn't see any crocodiles during the challenge — the river is home to 5,500 of the reptiles — but did struggle with heat and dehydration
A British-Australian marathon swimmer has broken a world record by swimming more than 34 miles through crocodile-infested river in under 12 hours.
He was sharing the river, which lies in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, with an estimated 5,500 crocodiles. But Donaldson was able to make it north from the Lake Argyle Dam wall to the Diversion Dam in Kununurra in 11 hours and 51 minutes, beating the previous record by over four hours.
He told AAP he was feeling good after the challenge, and said he didn't actually see any crocodiles.
"I still have all my limbs," he joked. "I didn't see a single one, other than the Crocs that my coach was wearing on his feet. I don't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed."
Q&A
How long did Andy Donaldson swim through the crocodile-infested river?
Andy Donaldson swam over 34 miles through the crocodile-infested river.
What was the previous record for the 34-mile swim that Andy Donaldson broke?
Andy Donaldson broke the previous record by over four hours.
Did Andy Donaldson encounter any crocodiles during his swim?
No, Andy Donaldson did not see any crocodiles during his swim.
What challenges did Andy Donaldson face during his record swim?
He struggled with heat and dehydration during the swim.
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Andy DonaldsonCredit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
Andy Donaldson
Credit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
As well as crocodiles, Donaldson also had to contend with fast currents and extreme heat on his swim. "I felt like I was carrying an elephant on my back," he told AAP.
"Mentally, I was fatigued, physically, I was fatigued. I'd been sweating for over 10 hours, and I think I was quite dehydrated, so my muscles were starting to cramp really hard."
He added that, while he was in pain, he "could have kept going" if necessary. "The mind always gives up before the body does," he explained.
Andy DonaldsonCredit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
Andy Donaldson
Credit: Andy Donaldson/Instagram
Simone Blaser, who became the first person to complete the Ord River ultra swim two years ago in 16 hours and 13 minutes, was there to support him and they even swam a stretch of the route together.
He also previously held the record for the fastest time to complete the Oceans Seven challenge, which consists of seven open water channel swims across the world, per the BBC, as well as the one for the fastest circumnavigation of Manhattan.
He said that he wasn't sure what his next challenge was going to be, and explained that he wanted to have a rest and take stock before looking forward.
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"It's important to celebrate the achievement, lift up the people that have helped make it possible, and just reflect on the learnings from it before moving on," Donaldson told the AAP.
PEOPLE has reached out to Donaldson for further comment.
