SWIMMING THE GAP EVENT UPDATE
Due to the unseasonably strong winds and dangerous conditions predicted for Saturday 23 September, the Swimming the Gap event for 2023 has been cancelled.
Event organisers would like to thank the swimmers for their passion and commitment to the swim and AFL Cape York House Foundation.
We would also like to thank our sponsors, the local community and those who donated to support AFL Cape York House Foundation in providing life-changing education, training, and employment opportunities for First Nations young people.
The event is planned to return in 2024. For further information please contact AFL Cape York House Foundation Philanthropy Manager, Nicole Gibson on 4054 5199.
Australia's longest ocean marathon!
Swimming the Gap is an annual 27km marathon swim from Green Island to Yorkeys Knob, Cairns held 23 September. It is Australia’s longest ocean swim and has been dubbed Australia's version of the English Channel - albeit much warmer!
It has only ever been completed by seven people.
The swim is run with the support of Masters Swimming and raises money for AFL Cape York House Foundation, charity doing incredible work to help close the education gap for Indigenous young people.
This year we have four swimmers attempting the marathon feat including Kaname Woodfield, Australian Triple Crown Julie Boxsell, Rod Lyle and Lesa Flip. Your donations and support helps to inspire our athletes by letting them know the community is behind them in achieving this epic feat for a very worthy cause.
Meet our swimmers
Kaname Woodfield: Kaname is a beloved swim teacher of 20 years who has taught thousands of Far North Queensland youngsters to swim since arriving in Cairns 15 years ago from Japan. She currently works as a Swimming Coach.
Julie Boxsell: Australian Triple Crown and former remote area nurse, Julie is an accomplished marathon swimmer. After taking up swimming eight short years ago the age of 45 (Still only 52!), she has completed several of Australia’s longest swims.
Rodney Lyle: Rod is a fifth generation Cairns local and ‘stay-at-home’ Dad to three children aged 16, 13 and 7. Rod finished his corporate job 11 years ago to care for their children when wife Megan secured the role of Medical Oncologist at Cairns Hospital. He started swimming as a child and continues to challenge himself with distance swims.
Lesa Flip: Lesa works at Cairns Hospital in the SACU unit which provides rehabilitation for adults and older people. She took up swimming after the birth of her first child and found a love for open water swimming – ‘the longer the better’ is her motto! Lesa is a chronic asthmatic and recommends swimming to all asthmatics.
Our Beneficiary
AFL Cape York House addresses the barriers to successfully completing education and gaining employment for Indigenous young people. They provide a safe, culturally appropriate, 'home away from home' boarding facility in Cairns which is home to 100 students from 45 remote communities in Queensland.
It is now the preferred education and training model for Indigenous young people. For good reason, too - more than 90% of year 12 graduates secure employment or a tertiary or vocational placement. In 2022, their year 12 graduate completion rate was 100%, compared to the national average of 38%.
Go Kaname…!! You are amazing!!