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Esperance pair take on Rottnest Swim challenge

Indiana LysaghtKalgoorlie Miner
Maddie McGrinder,16, and Ben Murgatroyd, 15, placed third in the 28+ division for the Rottnest Swim.
Camera IconMaddie McGrinder,16, and Ben Murgatroyd, 15, placed third in the 28+ division for the Rottnest Swim. Credit: Supplied

Two Esperance teens excelled in the 19.7km open water swim to Rottnest at the weekend.

Maddie McGrinder, 16, and Ben Murgatroyd, 15, both pictured, placed third in their section in the Rottnest Channel Swim with a time of 6hr.31min. 55sec.

The duo swam in the 28+ division, calculated by combining their ages.

The swimmers said they were happy with the outcome despite the unexpected and exhausting conditions.

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“It was supposed to be perfect conditions with little current and wind but a really choppy swell picked up at the 12km mark,” Maddie said.

“We both got a bit of sea sickness and spent the day not feeling so great.”

A rigorous training routine started in November and included the 3.6km open water swim around the Busselton Jetty two weeks ago.

The Cottesloe to Rottnest leg is the longest swim either of the Esperance Sea Dragon members have ever entered, but it might not be the last.

Maddie said competing in a duo might not be on the cards but a solo performance was something she was striving towards.

“I am thinking about doing it solo in a couple of years but after the conditions we had, we aren’t too keen on getting straight back into the water,” she said.

“My bucket list was to swim the Busselton Jetty Swim and the Rottnest Swim so right now I am happy with what I have achieved.

Ben echoed Maddie’s thoughts but said he had his eye on another goal.

“I am trying to qualify for nationals this year, which is being held in Perth for the first time in 13 years,” he said.

“I’m going to continue to go to competitions, swim faster times and see if I can get to the Olympics one day.”

The pair thanked the Esperance community for the wave of support they received in the lead-up to the swim.

“We are really fortunate to be in the community that we are — being a coastal rural town everyone is so supportive,” Maddie said. “We were really lucky to have a couple of mentors who got us into the open water scene. “The rest of the community has trained alongside us, given us tips and even financial support which helped us get to Rotto.”

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