"Feels like a dream" - Mandurah Mail

Please read this excellent interview published in the Mandurah Mail covering the interview Justin Rake had with Barb Pellick about being inducted into the inaugral 2020/2021 class Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

For those who didn't read Barb's Bio published by the Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, see below: Barbara Pellick is a passionate open water swimmer. After a relatively late start at the age of 28, in a career spanning the 27 years since Barbara has completed in more than 50 marathon swims (being 10km or over). In doing so, Barbara is enormously proud of never recording a DNF, despite competing in all conditions. The Rottnest Channel Swim has been a big focus for Barbara having completed 30 solo crossings (the greatest number of female crossings); including, many podium and top 10 placings; the first ever double crossing by a female swimmer in 1994; and at one stage not missing a crossing for 18 years straight. Barbara's dedication has seen her awarded life membership from the Rottnest Channel Swim Association, as well as being an inaugural inductee in the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Hall of Fame. On the international stage, Barbara is the 75th person to complete the Triple Crown of Marathon swimming being the 1st Western Australian, 4th Australian and 2nd female behind Penny Palfrey. This was achieved by swimming the Catalina Channel in 2013, 13 years after she completed the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in 2000 and 18 years after completing the English Channel in 1995. In 2000, after competing in the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (finishing in 8hours 15mins being 2nd female behind fellow Australian Bronwyn Whitehead and 4th overall), Barbara was awarded the Australian Sports Award by the Hon Prime Minister John Howard. Other significant marathon swims include:

• ·2015 Gibraltar Straits Crossing

• ·2009 Lake Taupo Triple Crossing Team Member of the World Record Triple Crossing (120.6km in 33hours 34mins)

• 1997 English Channel Team Triple Crossing (32 hours 47 mins)

• Lake Argyle 10k Swim - two-time winner and record holder from 2010 until it was broken in 2017

• 1993 - 2002 Perth to Fremantle Swim (16k) achieving placings in all

Barbara continues to give back to the sport she loves as a coach and mentor. She has coached and mentored in excess of 100 Rottnest Channel swim participants, as well as many successful solo and team swimmers, who have completed English Channel, Manhattan Island, and other significant swims around the world. Through her Rottoswmr Swim Squad based in Mandurah, Western Australia Barbara continues to share her enthusiasm and vast knowledge with aspiring open water swimmers.