Ironman Champion puts Big Swim team through their paces

~~The 41st Macquarie Big Swim is coming up on Sunday 25th January 2015. For the first time consulting firm the Waypoint Group is stepping up to the challenge and putting together a team to raise money to support one of the world’s largest conservation organisations, The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC). The ‘Swim for Nature’ team are gearing up for the gruelling 2.5km ocean swim challenge with the help of 2013 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series runner-up, Kendrick Louis.

Kendrick who is no stranger to punishing conditions is planning to put the team through their paces to prepare them for the big event. They’ll swim from Manly beach to Shelly beach and back (1.5km) and cover techniques to stay calm and relaxed in the ocean. He’ll prepare them for rough conditions, etiquette when swimming in large groups and most of all give them the confidence to get out there and have a go!

The team has set a target to raise $75,000 for TNC which will go towards three priority programs:
      • Bush fire prevention – This innovative program uses indigenous land management techniques and cutting edge science designed to halve the extent of wildfires across Australia. 
     • Great Southern Seascapes – A new initiative to restore marine habitat along the southern coast of Australia, ensuring clean water, healthy habitats and abundant fish for years to come.
       • Essential Wetlands Restoration – TNC is working to restore wetlands in the Murray Darling Basin.

Managing Director of the Waypoint Group, Charles Carnegie says he’s looking forward to participating in the event which ultimately helps to support a really worthy and relevant cause.

“I’m really thrilled to be an ambassador for TNC. Our Swim for Nature gives us an opportunity to contribute to TNC’s important work in protecting our environment. It’s really great that Kendrick is able to give up his time to help.  As Australians we get to enjoy fresh air and fresh water and we should make sure that’s what future Australian’s have as well.”

Swim for Nature competitor Kiana Weymark is preparing to conquer her fears of swimming in the ocean to be a part of team.

“I’d never considered entering an ocean swim because I didn’t grow up close to the beach. However, after learning about the great work TNC does in Australia and the contribution we could make, I quickly changed my mind. I will have to conquer my fear of swimming in the ocean though!”

Kendrick is the best person to help first time competitors like Kiana to overcome these fears because he was actually terrified of the surf and the ocean up until the age of nine! Kendrick is looking forward to supporting the team to achieve their goals to compete in the notorious swim.

“I’m impressed that The Swim for Nature team is willing to step up to this challenge, especially because their efforts will go towards help to protect our environment. This cause means a lot to me personally because I spend so much of my training and competing life in and around the ocean.”

Donations to the Swim for Nature team can be made at www.swim4nature.org

Kendrick Lewis is available for interviews and great photo opportunities! Please contact Inga Norgrove on 0408 657741 or inorgrove@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organisation working around the world for more than 60 years in more than 35 countries to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. TNC Australia was established in 2000 and has collaborated with a wide array of partners to support conservation efforts across more than 126 million hectares of Australia’s lands and waters. This includes securing 29 high priority additions to the National Reserve System, including some of the largest private protected areas in Australia. TNC has also assisted Indigenous groups with the protection of 19.6 million hectares of Indigenous Protected Areas across northern and central Australia, and we’re working to conserve the Great Western Woodlands, the world’s largest intact temperate woodland.