Australian Woman Conquers the Seven Oceans, First Aussie Female to Achieve the Feat
Joanne Norman’s journey to conquer the formidable Seven Oceans swimming challenge was anything but smooth sailing. The immense undertaking, which demands swimmers to traverse over 200 kilometres of open water across the world’s seven most perilous channels, pushed her to her absolute limits. While the sheer scale of the challenge was anticipated, Norman faced unforeseen and harrowing obstacles, including a terrifying shark attack and the profound grief of losing her father during her quest.
This month, the former Geraldton resident etched her name in the annals of endurance sports, becoming the 43rd person globally and the very first Australian woman to successfully complete the gruelling Oceans Seven. Her remarkable achievement is a testament to her unwavering determination and mental fortitude.
Norman embarked on this epic challenge five years ago, a personal milestone to commemorate her 50th birthday. The inspiration struck during a ferry ride from France. “I was looking out on the water and I thought, ‘You know, I could probably swim the [English] Channel,’” she recalled. This initial thought blossomed into a five-year odyssey of rigorous training and unparalleled perseverance.
After two years dedicated to preparation, Norman tackled the first of what would become seven monumental channel swims. The final leg of her journey, a daunting 41km swim near Hawaii, saw her emerge from the water in 14 hours and 15 minutes. However, this triumphant finish was not her first attempt at this particular stretch.
A Harrowing Encounter in Hawaiian Waters
The Molokaʻi channel in Hawaii presented Norman with a brutal test of her resolve. Having made the difficult decision to attempt the swim last year while her father was in palliative care, her initial effort was tragically cut short. During the swim, she was the victim of a shark attack, specifically by a cookiecutter shark. The encounter left her with a deep wound on her abdomen, necessitating surgery and a six-week recovery period.
Compounding this physical trauma, Norman’s father passed away during her recovery. Despite these devastating blows, her indomitable spirit remained unbroken. “I’m a glass-half-full kind of person — it could have been worse, it could have been a much bigger shark,” she reflected, showcasing an extraordinary ability to find silver linings even in the darkest of times.
Returning to the Molokaʻi channel a year later to complete what she had started was an understandably nerve-wracking experience. “But I didn’t want to let this fear cripple me,” Norman stated. The early hours of her swim were spent in darkness, a period she found particularly challenging. “I swam like 3 hours in the dark before the sun came up and I was never happier to see the sunrise.”
Family Support and the Pride of a Nation
For the mother of four, the relief and pride of her family upon her completion of the final swim were palpable. “Going back to Molokaʻi after being bitten, I think that my kids, my husband, and probably my mum held their breath — the collective breath — for the whole 14 hours and 15 minutes,” she explained. The emotional weight of her accomplishment was shared by her loved ones.
Norman expressed immense pride in being the first Australian woman to achieve the Seven Oceans feat. She humorously described those who attempt such challenges as “a little bit like me — very nutty.”
Despite enduring “brutal” swims and navigating the profound grief of her father’s passing, Norman never wavered in her belief that she would complete the Oceans Seven. Her mindset is one of unwavering commitment. “I don’t generally talk about failing, it’s not something that I use in my vocabulary,” she asserted. Her approach was methodical and focused: “It was just one swim at a time, ‘Let’s do one training block, let’s tackle the next swim.’”
Currently residing in Abu Dhabi, Norman is planning a well-deserved period of rest before embarking on her next ambitious endeavour. Later this year, she intends to swim 110km along the United Arab Emirates coastline. This new challenge represents another opportunity to push her boundaries. “You never know what your limits are until you really test them,” she concluded, “so this one, I’m really going to test them.” Her journey serves as an inspiring example of human resilience, courage, and the relentless pursuit of extraordinary goals.
