Andy Donaldson (swimmer)

Andrew Alan Donaldson
Personal information
NationalityBritish-Australian
Born (1991-02-10) 10 February 1991
Irvine, Scotland, UK
Sport
CountryGreat Britain
SportMarathon Swimming
ClubCity of Perth Swimming Club
Coached byEoin Carroll, Ryan Evernden

Andrew Donaldson (born 10 February 1991) is a Scottish-Australian marathon swimmer and advocate for mental health, ocean conservation, and water safety.

He is the first person to complete the Oceans Seven marathon swimming challenge within a single year[1] and has broken multiple world records, including for the circumnavigation of Manhattan Island and the Cook Strait crossing between New Zealand's North and South Islands.[2][3][4]

In 2023, Donaldson was named World Open Water Swimming Association Man of the Year and received the organisation's Performance of the Year award.[5] In 2026, he was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

Early life and career

Growing up in West Kilbride, Scotland, Donaldson started swimming with the North Ayrshire Amateur Swimming Club at age seven.[6] He attended Largs Academy for secondary school before graduating from Loughborough University in 2012.[7]

In 2013, he relocated to Perth, Western Australia where he pursued professional swimming before later working in accounting and finance.[8][9]

After failing to qualify for major international teams, Donaldson retired from competitive swimming in 2016.[8] During this period, he experienced mental health challenges while completing his Chartered Accounting studies and working in finance. He later took a career break to travel overseas[10] and during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, worked as a volcano tour guide in Nicaragua.[8]

Donaldson returned to Perth in 2020 and resumed swimming to improve his physical and mental well-being.[8] There, he co-founded Swimclan with Martin Smoothy to help adults improve their swimming, health, and confidence in the water.[11]

In 2021, Donaldson returned to competitive marathon swimming by winning the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia.[12][13] In 2022, he set a course record in Tasmania's 34 km Derwent River Big Swim and won the 25 km Palm Beach to Shelly Beach Swim in Sydney.[8]

Oceans Seven

In August 2022, Donaldson announced his goal of completing the Oceans Seven challenge within a single calendar year.[14] He completed the challenge in 355 days, becoming the first person to achieve the feat within one calendar year while setting multiple national and world records.

The campaign also raised funds and awareness for the Black Dog Institute and mental health initiatives.[14][15]

Donaldson began his challenge by swimming the English Channel in 8 hours,[16] setting a new British record.[17][18] He later became the first Scottish male to complete a solo swim of the North Channel,[6] from Ireland to Scotland.[19]

In March 2023, he set a new world record for New Zealand's Cook Strait crossing, completing the 22 km swim in 4 hours, 33 minutes and 50 seconds.[2][3][4]

During the campaign, Donaldson encountered difficult environmental conditions, logistical challenges and physical exhaustion. Following his crossing of Hawaii's Molokai Channel (Kaiwi Channel), he was hospitalised due to severe throat swelling.[20][21] Despite this, he continued the campaign and later set British records for both the Strait of Gibraltar and Catalina Channel crossings.

Donaldson completed the Oceans Seven challenge in July 2023 after successfully crossing Japan's Tsugaru Strait.[22]

Swims of the Oceans Seven
Date Swim Route Distance Time Remarks
2022-08-07 English Channel England to France 33 km 08:00:00 [16] British record
2022-09-19 North Channel Ireland to Scotland 34 km 09:13:57 [19] British record
2023-03-07 Cook Strait South Island to North Island (New Zealand) 22 km 04:33:50 [3] World record
2023-04-18 Kaiwi Channel Molokai to Oahu (USA) 45 km 15:51:00 [21]
2023-05-20 Strait of Gibraltar Spain to Morocco 14.4 km 02:56:00 [23] British record
2023-07-11 Catalina Channel Catalina Island to Los Angeles (USA) 32.3 km 09:22:52 [24] British record
2023-07-27 Tsugaru Strait Honshu to Hokkaido (Japan) 19.5 km 13:04:30 [22]

Later Marathon Swims

In July 2024, Donaldson participated in the inaugural Epic Swim Maui expedition, completing the 220 km circumnavigation of Maui over 14 days alongside a team of international marathon swimmers.[25] The event was organised to promote awareness of ocean health and sustainability .

On 19 September 2024, Donaldson broke the world record for the circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, completing the 45.9 km swim in 5 hours, 41 minutes, and 48 seconds.

In April 2026, Donaldson completed the 55 km Ord River Dam to Dam swim in Western Australia's Kimberley region, swimming from Lake Argyle Dam to Swim Beach near Kununurra's Diversion Dam in 11 hours, 51 minutes and 27 seconds, setting a new course record.[26] Media coverage of the swim highlighted the logistical and environmental challenges of the route, including the presence of freshwater crocodiles.

Charity Work and Advocacy

Donaldson is an advocate for mental health awareness, sustainability, and open-water swimming. Many of his marathon swims have supported charitable and community initiatives.

His Oceans Seven campaign raised funds for the Black Dog Institute, and he has supported mental health organisations including the Kai Eardley Foundation, of which he is an ambassador[27].

In October 2023, Donaldson successfully completed a 33 km swim from Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay in Perth to raise funds for Telethon and the Perron Institute for Neurological Science.[28] He repeated this challenge in 2024 and 2025.

Awards and Recognition

  • World Open Water Swimming Association - Man of the Year (2023)
  • World Open Water Swimming Association - Performance of the Year (2023)
  • International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame - Honouree (2026)
  • Health & Fitness Association Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award (2026)

Notable Swims and Achievements

Date Swim Route Distance Time Remarks
2018-02-11 Busselton Jetty Swim Around Busselton Jetty 3.6km 42:14 Solo Winner
2021-02-20 Rottnest Channel Swim Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island (Australia) 19.7km 4:04:30 Solo Winner
2022-03-26 Derwent River Big Swim New Norfolk Bridge to Tasman Bridge (Australia) 33.5km 5:35:21 Course Record
2022-04-09 Palm to Shelly Swim Palm Beach to Shelly Beach (Australia) 24km 6:05:00 Solo Winner
2022-08-07 English Channel England to France 33km 8:00:00 British Record
2022-09-19 North Channel Ireland to Scotland 34.5km 9:13:57 British Record
2023-03-06 Cook Strait South Island to North Island (New Zealand) 22km 4:33:50 World Record
2023-04-18 Kaiwi Channel Molokai to Oahu (USA) 45km 15:51:00
2023-05-20 Strait of Gibraltar Spain to Morocco 14.4km 2:56:00 British Record
2023-07-11 Catalina Channel Catalina Island to Los Angeles (USA) 32.3km 9:22:52 British Record
2023-07-27 Tsugaru Strait Honshu to Hokkaido (Japan) 19.5km 13:04:30
2023-10-22 Team Andy's Swim for Telethon Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay (Swim-Run-Swim) 33.3km N/A
2024-07-07 Epic Swim Maui Circumnavigation of Maui (USA) 220km 14 days
2024-09-18 20 Bridges Manhattan Island Swim Manhattan Circumnavigation CCW (USA) 45.9km 5:41:48 Former World Record
2024-10-07 UltraSwim 33.3 Ultimate Lustica Bay to Lazure (Montenegro) 33.3km 10:04:06
2024-10-20 Team Andy's Swim for Telethon Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay (Swim-Run-Swim) 33.3km N/A
2025-02-13 World Islands Dubai World Islands Circumnavigation CW (UAE) 24km 10:41:23
2025-04-25 Bahrain Swim Challenge Bahrain Circumnavigation CCW - Team of 4 Relay 170km 59:59:00 World Record
2025-10-03 Ibiza Swim Challenge Ibiza Circumnavigation CW - Team of 2 Relay 104km 30:57:49 World Record
2025-10-19 Team Andy's Swim for Telethon Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay (Swim-Run-Swim) 33.3km N/A
2026-03-21 Port to Pub Swim Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island 25km 6:06:47
2026-05-28 Ord River Dam to Dam Swim Lake Argyle Dam to Kununurra Diversion Dam 55km 11:51:27 Course Record

Sources

  1. ↑ "Scots swimmer breaks record for Oceans Seven challenge". BBC News. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  2. 1 2 "Scottish swimmer sets record between New Zealand islands". BBC News. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  3. 1 2 3 Scottish swimmer breaks Cook Strait world record, 2023-03-21, retrieved 2023-07-21
  4. 1 2 Sahu, Tanisha Rachel (2023-03-23). "Scottish Swimmer Creates World Record By Swimming In Shark Infested Waters Across Cook Strait". Le Matinal. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  5. ↑ WOWSA (2024-02-08). "Press Release: World Open Water Swimming Association Celebrates the 2023 WOWSA Awards Winners". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  6. 1 2 "Marathon swimmer from West Kilbride overcomes 'butt-cheek' cramp to cross North Channel". Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. ↑ "Loughborough alumnus takes on charity swim challenge". Loughborough University. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Perth marathon swimmer attempts epic channel-crossing record". The West Australian. 2022-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  9. ↑ "Relative newcomer smashes his rivals". The Albany Advertiser. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  10. ↑ "Sharks, jellyfish, and world records: Meet the Scot who swam seven channel crossings". The Herald. 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  11. ↑ "Adults coached to brave water". Community News. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  12. ↑ "'Retired' Rotto winner on how he clinched big finish". The West Australian. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  13. ↑ "Rottnest Channel Swim winners crowned". PerthNow. 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  14. 1 2 "Inspiring CA's global swim for mental health". Acuity Magazine.
  15. ↑ Whyte, Abigail (2023-04-04). "Andy Donaldson: Flying the flag for mental health". Outdoor Swimmer Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  16. 1 2 Munatones, Steven (2022-08-07). "Andy Donaldson Crosses English Channel in 8 Hours, First Leg of His Oceans Seven Challenge". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  17. ↑ "Why swim the world's most dangerous seas? For mental health -- let Andy Donaldson explain". ESPN.com. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  18. ↑ "Scot sets new record for swimming the English Channel". The Scotsman.
  19. 1 2 WOWSA (2022-09-30). "Andy Donaldson Completes a Fast Crossing of the North Channel". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  20. ↑ "Oceans Seven helps turn the tide on mental health". The West Australian. 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  21. 1 2 "West Kilbride swimmer rushed to hospital after smashing Hawaii charity crossing". Largs and Millport Weekly News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  22. 1 2 Whyte, Abigail (2023-08-01). "Andy Donaldson has smashed the Oceans Seven!". Outdoor Swimmer Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  23. ↑ WOWSA (2023-05-30). "Andrew Alan Donaldson Conquers the Strait of Gibraltar in Record Time". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  24. ↑ "West Kilbride swimmer on verge of completing global charity challenge". Largs and Millport Weekly News. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  25. ↑ "Epic Swim Maui Team Combines Swimming with Science – Daily News of Open Water Swimming". dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  26. ↑ Hytner, Mike (2026-04-29). "Ultramarathon swimmer sets record pace over 55km in crocodile-filled Australian river". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  27. ↑ "Andrew Donaldson". Kai-Fella. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  28. ↑ SarahJee_GWTB (2023-12-08). "Huge thanks to Andy Donaldson!". Kai-Fella. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
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