Lauren Tischendorf, a director of special education in Sydney (Australia), made waves with a historic feat: she became the first woman to swim in a sea full of sharks. She, at 39 years old, but who has always loved playing sports since she was a child, decided to swim around Lord Howe Island as a way to challenge herself and seek new adventures in her passion for swimming.
The site located in the Tasman Sea, about 600 kilometers from the Australian coast, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, due to its spectacular geological formation and rich biodiversity. In addition, it is known for its strong ocean currents and shark-infested waters.
Swimming with Sharks
Before giving beginning his mission, Tischendorf knew that at some point he would come across the “little fish”. “There is a section of the island that serves as a nursery for them. This was also the region where the water and wind barely let me move. I even saw 12 sharks and then I stopped counting”, he said in an interview with the website Atlas Obscura.
In April 2021, she swam an epic 35 kilometers over nearly 14 hours without the aid of equipment. Soon, she needed to train both her body and her mind to complete the goal before sunset, to avoid further problems.
“I thought I had enough time, but I had miscalculated. So I was swimming in the dark, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The sky was just phenomenal and I had a flashlight shining on the water and everything was lit up in color. I could see coral reef, animals and sharks. It was very beautiful”, he added.
Tchakabum: watch out, the shark will get you
Obviously, one of the most difficult was Tischendorf’s encounter with sea-dwelling sharks off Lord Howe Island. “They were just following me and checking on me. Most were Galapagos sharks, which are native to the area and don’t pose much risk as they are just curious,” she explained.
However, the adventurer didn’t come across just species considered harmless. During a break to feed, she came face to face with a huge tiger shark — one of the species with the most records of attacks on humans.
Although she faced difficulties, Lauren Tischendorf never thought about giving up on its quest
The creature then began to follow it. There, however, she believes she may have been distracted by another move at sea and given up the chase. So she went on her way without trying to think too hard about the tense moment. “I was a little shocked by this, but it’s part of what happens when you’re in the water.”
The swimming that went down in history
After becoming the first person to complete a freestyle swim around the island, Tischendorf reaped the (sea?) fruits of his effort. Upon arriving on land, “many people were waiting and cheering, honking, children screaming, among other greetings”, she revealed.
“It was really amazing because I knew they had bet that I would not end. Conditions were so bad. So it was really lovely and wonderful that the community was there supporting me at the end,” she added. For her, in addition to portraying the natural beauty of the region, the action serves to highlight the importance of female empowerment.
Having conquered the island of Lord Howe, Tischendorf is already thinking about her next challenge. “I’m planning a new swimming adventure, but you’ll have to wait and see. Maybe it won’t happen this year, but it will definitely happen in 2023”, promised the swimmer.
