Andy Donaldson’s Ord River Dam to Dam Swim – 55km through the Kimberley wilderness

For the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to swim at some of the most incredible places on Earth. From the aqua blue Moloka’i Channel in Hawaii to the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, marathon swimming has taken me to wild and beautiful corners of the world that I could once only dream of visiting.

But this one felt different.

After so many international adventures, I wanted to do something closer to my home here in Western Australia. Something meaningful. Something that could positively impact a community while using sport to showcase one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

That opportunity came when I was invited to Kununurra, a remote town in the Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia, for the opening of the town’s new 50m pool.

Ben Broady, head coach of the local swim club (the Kununurra Crocs), invited me to join the celebrations. And initially, the plan was simple – come up, run some free swim clinics, visit the local school and hopefully inspire a few kids along the way. But after a few conversations, we realised we had the chance to create something much bigger and more impactful.

That became the Ord River Dam to Dam Swim Challenge.

The challenge was to swim 55km from Lake Argyle Dam to the Kununurra Diversion Dam – a route that had only ever been completed once before by pioneering swimmer Simone Blaser in 2024. No male had ever attempted the swim, and we felt this challenge could become something exciting for the local community. Something bold enough to be memorable and inspire people.

And honestly, from the moment I arrived in Kununurra, I knew this one would be special.

There aren’t many places in the world where you feel that real raw, ancient energy. I’ve experienced it before in places like Hawaii and Nepal, but Kununurra had that same feeling. The Kimberley landscapes are breathtaking. Ancient red cliffs glow in the sunlight, the river winds through towering gorges, and there’s a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the land that you can genuinely feel when you’re there.

What struck me most, though, was the warmth of the people. The local community welcomed us with open arms and warmly looked after us throughout our stay. In recent times, there’s been a lot of hardship and negative headlines surrounding Kununurra. So one of our goals through the swim was to shine a positive light on the town and the wider Kimberley region – do our small part to help. Because the truth is, the place and the people are truly extraordinary.

In my opinion, Kununurra has all the ingredients to become Australia’s best outdoor adventure destination. The waterways in the Kimberley are pristine, people are out kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming every day, and the Ord River itself is one of the best places I’ve ever swum. 

Of course, much of the international attention around the swim centred on the freshwater crocodiles in the upper Ord River. Yes, they are there – and like any venture into nature, you will encounter wildlife. But the reality is that if you leave them alone, they’ll typically leave you alone too. They’re generally far more wary of humans than humans are of them, and if you respect the environment and don’t intentionally put yourself in harm’s way, you’ll be fine. 

In fact, I didn’t see a single crocodile during the entire swim.

Like every marathon swim, preparation and local knowledge are everything. And we had an outstanding team around us who understood the river, the wildlife and the conditions like the back of their hands. Because of that, I always felt safe and supported – it really reinforced just how important the people around you truly are.

Local swim coach Ben Broady was truly instrumental in turning this from an idea into reality, getting community support and bringing the right people together for the challenge. Scotty Connell and Adam ‘Maka’ McKay skippered the support boats, while my long-time handler Jay Prchal helped guide me through the swim alongside an incredible crew who all played their part.

Ryan Evernden also deserves a huge mention. The Ord River isn’t just a long straight stretch of water – there are rapids and technical sections that require careful navigation, and Ryan guided me brilliantly through them in the kayak.

And honestly – those rapids were some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a swim.

Unlike some of the challenging ocean crossings I’ve done around the world, the Ord River had moments of genuine adventure and playfulness to it. The waters were around 28°C, which made a nice change from freezing in cold channels, and there were times when the whole team was simply laughing and enjoying the adventure together.

That was probably what surprised me most.

I went into the swim with big expectations because everyone had spoken so highly about the Ord River – but even then, I was blown away by the experience. Swimming through those ancient gorges, surrounded by red rock walls and pristine water, felt surreal at times.

And the water was so clean that my support team were literally filling their bottles and taking swigs straight from the river during the swim. I laughed, but it was brilliant to see.

For our challenge, we decided to start during the cool of sunrise beneath the towering wall of Lake Argyle Dam, though by the middle of the day, temperatures had climbed to around 35°C. The heat definitely became one of the biggest challenges. At times I’d tuck myself beside the support boat just to find a bit of shade from the relentless Kimberley sun.

It’s moments like that when reliable equipment really matters. Throughout the swim, the crew used their Red Waterproof Bags and Adventure Waterproof Backpacks to keep camera gear, clothing, nutrition and essentials protected on the water. Meanwhile the Red 2L Canteen also proved essential – keeping our hydration cool in the blistering Kimberley heat.

Back in Perth during training and preparation, my Red EVO Pro Changing Robe also became a bit of a staple while trying to stay healthy and warm as winter approached. Contrary to popular belief, it can get pretty nippy Down Under – especially after a swim in the ocean first thing in the morning.

So my belief is that when you’re undertaking challenges, especially in a remote environment, having equipment you can genuinely rely on becomes one less thing to worry about – and mentally, that makes a real difference.

But as special as the swim itself, the moment I’ll remember most happened at the finish. After 11 hours, 51 minutes and 27 seconds in the water, we arrived at Swim Beach as sunset approached to find the entire community waiting. More than 200 people had gathered along the banks of the river. Kids were jumping into the water. Families had brought their houseboats onto the river in support. People lined the shore, cheering as we approached.

It was genuinely moving. Not because of the swim itself, but because of what it represented.

I remember being a young swimmer in the west of Scotland and watching my own heroes visit our small programme when I was growing up. Those moments leave lasting impressions on you as a kid. They make dreams feel possible.

Standing there in Kununurra surrounded by children and families, I realised this challenge had become something far bigger than a 55km swim.

If even one young person walked away believing they were capable of something bigger after seeing what we achieved together, that means more to me than any record ever could.

That day, I became the first male to complete the Ord River Dam to Dam Swim Challenge, but more importantly, I hope this is only the beginning for the swim itself.

I’d love to see this become an established adventure challenge that attracts people from around the world to experience the Kimberley and the Ord River for themselves. And one day, I’d love to see local Kununurra kids taking on the challenge in relay teams of their own.

Because at the heart of it all, this swim was never really about me.

It was about community. Adventure. Connection. And the reminder that we’re all capable of inspiring the people around us.

Follow Andy Donaldson on Instagram and TikTok @andy.swimming