After 12,700 kilometres paddling her surf ski around mainland Australia, former ironwoman Bonnie Hancock says in hindsight, she “had no idea what was coming”.

“There’s a part of me that’s very glad I didn’t,”  Ms Hancock told the ABC on a satellite phone as she paddled into the Gold Coast Seaway.

“I’ve been near hypothermic, the biggest shark sightings — oh my goodness so scary — and definitely some crocodiles up there in the Kimberley.

“If I knew all of that was coming I might of thought twice but it’s been far more incredible and also hard than I ever imagined.”

What started at Mermaid Beach last December, has ended 254 days later with an expected four world records and more than $65,000 raised for mental health charity Gotcha 4 Life.

Key points:

• Bonnie Hancock has completed a record-breaking circumnavigation of Australia on a surf ski
• Supporters say “she has been through hell” but has raised $65,000 for a mental health charity
• She encountered whales, sharks and crocodiles, while battling intense swells and sea sickness

Source
ABC News
Sun 28 Aug 2022